Sucralose and Erythritol — Not Too Sweet

This article reviews emerging evidence challenging the perceived safety of artificial sweeteners, focusing on sucralose and erythritol. Studies demonstrate that sucralose suppresses T cell proliferation and differentiation in mice, impairing antitumor and antibacterial immunity while paradoxically mitigating autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes and colitis. Erythritol, a sugar alcohol, was linked to increased cardiovascular risk in human cohorts, with experimental data showing enhanced platelet activation and thrombosis. The authors highlight the need for further clinical trials to clarify the health impacts of these widely used sugar substitutes, emphasizing their potential to alter immunity, metabolism, and cardiovascular health despite being marketed as low-calorie alternatives.

This article reviews emerging evidence challenging the perceived safety of artificial sweeteners, focusing on sucralose and erythritol. Studies demonstrate that sucralose suppresses T cell proliferation and differentiation in mice, impairing antitumor and antibacterial immunity while paradoxically mitigating autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes and colitis. Erythritol, a sugar alcohol, was linked to increased cardiovascular risk in human cohorts, with experimental data showing enhanced platelet activation and thrombosis. The authors highlight the need for further clinical trials to clarify the health impacts of these widely used sugar substitutes, emphasizing their potential to alter immunity, metabolism, and cardiovascular health despite being marketed as low-calorie alternatives.