A recent study conducted by the Center for Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Prevention at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute suggests that erythritol, a sugar substitute, might be associated with blood clotting, stroke, heart attack, and even death. The sugar alcohol is commonly used to add bulk or sweeten stevia, monkfruit, and keto-reduced sugar products. Lead study author Dr. Stanley Hazen says that people with existing risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, were twice as likely to experience a heart attack or stroke if they had the highest levels of erythritol in their blood. Further lab and animal research presented in the paper revealed that erythritol appeared to be causing blood platelets to clot more readily. The Calorie Control Council, an industry association, told CNN that “the results of this study are contrary to decades of scientific research showing reduced-calorie sweeteners like erythritol are safe, as evidenced by global regulatory permissions for their use in foods and beverages.” However, Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health, suggests limiting erythritol in your diet for now, given the study’s alarming findings.