Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic say they have found a link between erythritol, a popular artificial sweetener, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

The reason, they say, is that the substance which is found in many "zero sugar", keto, and other products marketed to help people avoid sugar, actually makes it more likely for them to suffer blood clots.

The Senior author on that study of 4 thousand people in the US and Euror, Dr. Stanley Hazen, says “It is important that further safety studies are conducted to examine the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners in general, and erythritol specifically, on risks for heart attack and stroke, particularly in people at higher risk for cardiovascular disease.”

As a result,  researchers say the best advice is to talk to your doctor or a certified dietician to learn more about healthy food choices, and for personalized recommendations. 

For more details on the study, click here.