The Lab
Specimen No. 0208
CautionDerivedsweetenerfood additive

Erythritol

CAS 149-32-6 · E968 · meso-erythritol

A sugar alcohol used widely in keto and "sugar-free" products. Well tolerated for blood sugar, but a 2023 Cleveland Clinic study linked higher blood erythritol to cardiovascular events and showed it can promote clotting in lab/animal models — an association, not proven cause.

high confidence
Researched July 7, 2026
Erythritol molecular structure
Specimen 0208Erythritol

Concerns

  • In a 2023 Cleveland Clinic study (Witkowski et al., Nature Medicine), higher circulating erythritol was associated with increased 3-year risk of major adverse cardiovascular events across three patient cohorts, and erythritol enhanced platelet reactivity in vitro and thrombosis formation in animal models; this is an association plus a mechanistic signal, not proven causation in humans, and the authors explicitly called for long-term safety studies
  • A 2023 narrative review (Mazi & Stanhope, Nutrients) cautioned that elevated erythritol may be a marker of underlying metabolic dysregulation rather than a cause — people with inborn errors that chronically raise erythritol do not show higher thrombosis risk — and concluded causality cannot yet be established without long-term trials
  • EFSA's 2023 re-evaluation set an Acceptable Daily Intake of 0.5 g/kg body weight per day based on erythritol's laxative/diarrhea threshold, and noted that high consumers can exceed this level and may experience GI effects (diarrhea) after single or repeated intake

Regulatory flags

  • ⚑IARC Class: NL
  • ⚑EDC Status: None
  • ⚑Regulatory: US: GRAS (FDA); EU: authorized as E968, ADI 0.5 g/kg bw/day (EFSA 2023)
  • ⚑Evidence Grade: B

Commonly found in

Sugar-free candyKeto/low-carb baked goodsStevia and monk-fruit blendsDiet drinksProtein bars

Last researched: July 7, 2026

Research disclaimer: This rating is based on available peer-reviewed research and regulatory assessments at the time of publication. It is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for personal health or skin concerns.

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