Healthline Wellness Wire

IN a nutshell

Hello there, it’s Tim. I’m taking over for Morgan today, but don’t worry, she’ll be back later this week.

So, did you catch those panicky headlines about popular sweetener erithyrotl, urethratol… erythritol? (Third time’s the charm!) The hard-to-spell non-nutritive is in the frame for a link to heart disease and stroke. But is it really as bad as it sounds? We looked into it. Get the details below.

We’ll also be talking about:

•	honey, raw and uncut

•	why “vegetables from the sea” may soon be tickling your palate

•	new research on why women may want to go extra easy on the salt

•	more health stories you need, like how to protect private mental health data

Stay informed and stay healthy!
Tim Snaith
Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Tim Snaith
March 20, 2023 • 5 min read

what’s got us buzzing

Is the erythritol health scare just hype?

It’s white, granular, and popular with bakers, but it’s not sugar. Erythritol is a popular alternative to old-timey sweeteners like saccharin and acesulfame-K. ($210 million of the stuff was sold globally in 2022 — that’s around one-tenth of the sweetener market.) Super low carb and about 70% as sweet as sugar, erythritol has become especially common in keto desserts. Thanks to erythritol, you can literally have your sugar-free cake and eat it too.

So, I can only assume it came as quite a jolt to many low carb fans when new research surfaced this month that suggested that far from helping you and your heart into a healthy old age, erythritol may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

I confess, I eyed a pot of Truvia in my kitchen with new suspicion, even considered tossing it in the garbage. But then I decided to take a closer look at the findings.

One of the study’s worrying findings was that erythritol had a blood clotting effect, (blood clotting is a common risk factor for stroke). However, this was only found in a test tube. More research is needed in real, live human beings to better understand the significance of this finding.

What about the other claim that a high level of erythritol in the blood was linked with increased risk of heart attacks? Surely that’s a major concern?

The problem is that it’s difficult to be certain that it’s erythritol that’s harming heart health because many of the 4,000 people involved in the trial had existing cardiovascular disease or other risk factors. It’s possible that high levels of erythritol in the blood were a symptom of a problem that may lead to a heart attack, not the cause. More research on the nature of the relationship is needed.

If you want to avoid sugar (which has strong links to all kinds of health issues) but have been put off of erythritol by this research, there are many delicious alternative sweeteners to spoon into your morning coffee. But I’m going to stick with it for now.

tl;dr: A popular sweetener, much beloved of the keto crowd, found itself in the health scare spotlight this month. However, given that harmful effects on the blood were only found in lab conditions, and the link with real heart attacks isn’t clear cut, how serious the risk is remains unclear, especially if you don’t consume a whole lot of it.

Tell us: Do you get a little tired of all these health scares? What have you stopped worrying about because the story has changed so many times? Share your experience with us at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming newsletter!)

great finds

Editor faves with health perks

You know those great finds you just *have* to tell your friends about? That’s how we feel about the products we recommend here. Every pick has been vetted by our editorial team, and we genuinely think it’ll make your life better.

Happy Belly Raw Wildflower Honey

Let’s get away from new-fangled artificial sweeteners and go back to the source of sweetness — honey. The good stuff, and best of all, in my opinion, is raw honey that has not been pasteurized, or otherwise messed with. Happy Belly’s raw wildflower honey is one of the best value options I know of.

The heat treatments given to regular, no frills honey does extend its shelf life and help keep unwanted crystals away, but at a cost: it also zaps some of the most beneficial nutrients. It can decrease compounds like amino acids, dozens of minerals, local pollen, and 30 types of bioactive antioxidant polyphenols.

Shop now

Weird Science

Is seaweed about to become the new kale (but better)?

Ready to dive into a world of algae and seaweed foodstuffs? There’s more to them than a tasty sushi wrap — they’re also a nutritional powerhouse and an eco-friendly food source.

Algae and seaweed are rich in vitamins and minerals, making them a fantastic addition to any diet, according to Dr. William Sears, pediatric and family medicine practitioner and author.

“There are thousands of species of algae and each one produces lots of healthy nutrients we all need, but most of us don’t eat enough of them,” he notes. “They’re a rich source of B vitamins, vitamin K, iron, magnesium, calcium, iodine, and more.” They’re also a great source of plant-based protein, making them an ideal food for vegans and vegetarians.

According to Dr. Stephen Mayfield, a professor of biology at the University of California, San Diego, director of the California Center for Algae Biotechnology, and senior author of the study “Developing Algae as a Sustainable Food Source,” algae are, biochemically speaking, a superfood.

“Part of that is because algae don’t have to have stems, roots, or branches to hold themselves up, so they dedicate all of their energy to making more protein, fatty acids, etc,” Mayfield explained.

The real kicker? Algae and seaweed could be the key to sustainable agriculture. Unlike land-based crops, seaweed farming doesn’t require fertilizers, pesticides, or even fresh water.

It’s a low impact and sustainable food source that could help feed the world's growing population while reducing our environmental impact, fighting climate change, and improving water quality one frond at a time.

Next time you’re looking for a healthy and sustainable food option, consider incorporating algae and seaweed into your diet. Whether you’re snacking on crispy seaweed chips or blending up a spirulina smoothie, you’ll be doing your body and the planet a favor.

Stay seaweed savvy, folks!

Health Hype

Could a racing heart trigger anxiety?

(Find the answer at the end of this email)

health stories you need

What we’re reading next

💸 ️Your mental health data is being sold — and it’s legal. The names and addresses of people diagnosed with conditions are sold to data marketers, but we have six tips to protect your privacy.

🤔 Stressed out? It can affect your ability to think clearly. Elevated stress levels may mess up cognitive function, but learning to respond by relaxing may help.

🧂 Women are more sensitive to salt in their diet than men. Women of all ages are more salt sensitive than men, which may have implications for blood pressure control.

🐭 Scientists sober up drunk mice with new drug. A hormone injection rapidly reversed the intoxicating effect of alcohol, and it may also work on people who’ve had way too much to drink.

Health Hype Answer

Could a racing heart trigger anxiety?

Yes!

A recent study revealed that mice may become anxious due to an increased heart rate, suggesting that emotions can arise from the body as well as the brain.

Researchers used optogenetics to manipulate heart rate in mice and measure their behavioral responses. They bioengineered muscle cells in the rodents’ hearts to make them sensitive to light and fitted them with tiny vests that emitted red light to control their heart rate.

While we can’t be sure if this study translates to humans, it does suggest that our minds and bodies are interconnected differently than we thought. Next time you feel your heart racing, take a deep breath and remember that it’s all just part of the mind-body connection. And if you happen to see a mouse scurrying by, give them a little wave and say thanks for the scientific insight!

Thanks for reading everyone! We hope you have a restful weekend. We’ll be back in your inboxes on Wednesday.

Until next time,

Take care of yourself, and we’ll see
you again soon!

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