Sweet but risky? Stevia has been linked with brain stroke
But a recent study has shaken things up, linking erythritol, a sweetener blended with Stevia in commercial products, to potential risks that could affect the brain's vascular system. The word "stroke" instantly grabs attention, and rightly so. But it's important to understand the reasoning behind it.
What did scientists really do?
This study was conducted in vitro, meaning it was done outside the human body, specifically in a lab, using cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hCMECs).
These are the same types of cells that line blood vessels in the brain and help regulate things like blood flow and clotting.
Researchers treated these cells with erythritol in quantities equivalent to what's found in a standard artificially sweetened drink (around 30g of erythritol). The goal? To observe how this sweetener affects oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO) production, and markers that influence blood clotting and vessel function.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
Spike in oxidative stress
One of the most striking findings was a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), basically, unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress, damaging cells over time. The oxidative stress levels were double in erythritol-treated cells compared to untreated ones.
This triggered the cells to produce more antioxidant proteins like superoxide dismutase-1 and catalase, which act like emergency fire extinguishers in the body.
But if the fire is too strong, even more antioxidants might not be enough. The takeaway? This oxidative imbalance may weaken the blood-brain barrier over time, possibly contributing to neurovascular issues like stroke.
Why blood flow suffers
Nitric oxide (NO) is crucial, it helps relax blood vessels, ensuring smooth blood flow. The study found that NO production dropped in erythritol-treated brain cells, even though the main enzyme that produces it (eNOS) didn't change much.
The twist? The phosphorylated forms of eNOS (the active and inactive switches) were altered, one became less active, the other more inhibitory. This disrupted signaling means the vessels may not relax properly, increasing the risk of clot formation or vascular stiffness, both red flags for ischemic stroke.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Scientists warn over new forever acid in rain: All you need to know about it
A surge in global rainfall contamination with a persistent chemical, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), is dividing scientists and regulators over its threat to the environment and human health. Once regarded as a minor byproduct of industrial emissions, TFA is now found everywhere—from Arctic ice cores to bottled water and everyday food products—raising calls for urgent action as research reveals its rapid and seemingly unstoppable accumulation. What is TFA and why is it in our rain? TFA is an ultra-short-chain PFAS (" forever chemical ") notable for its extreme stability and resistance to natural degradation . It enters the environment from a variety of sources, including: Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Operations Management others Data Analytics Degree Others Leadership Technology Cybersecurity Public Policy Data Science Management MCA CXO Healthcare Project Management Digital Marketing Finance PGDM Design Thinking healthcare Artificial Intelligence MBA Data Science Product Management Skills you'll gain: Quality Management & Lean Six Sigma Analytical Tools Supply Chain Management & Strategies Service Operations Management Duration: 10 Months IIM Lucknow IIML Executive Programme in Strategic Operations Management & Supply Chain Analytics Starts on Jan 27, 2024 Get Details Industrial discharges from chemical, pharmaceutical, and agrochemical production. Atmospheric breakdown of widely used fluorinated gases—especially refrigerants and insulation materials. Decomposition of other PFAS-related compounds, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and anesthetic gases. Once in the environment, TFA does not break down and is highly mobile, traveling with water and accumulating in rain, surface water, groundwater, food crops, animal tissues, and even human urine and blood. In the last 40 years, TFA levels have increased five- to ten-fold in the leaves and needles of German trees, and rising concentrations are also documented in Arctic ice and groundwater in Denmark. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pirates Climb Aboard Cargo Ship - Watch What The Captain Did Next Tips and Tricks Undo Recent analyses in European cereals found TFA in all products tested, with conventional items showing three times higher contamination than organic products. Is TFA harmful? Human health risks Current data suggest most people are exposed to levels thousands of times lower than acute toxicity thresholds in animal studies. TFA is metabolized and rapidly excreted, and does not bioaccumulate in humans as long-chain PFAS do. Emerging evidence, including unpublished industry studies, points to toxicity at very high exposure: rats and rabbits dosed with large amounts had offspring with lower birth weights and deformities, but these doses were hundreds of thousands of times higher than what's found in drinking water. However, recent food monitoring in Europe showed that daily TFA intake from cereal products alone could exceed tolerable limits for children, potentially posing reproductive health risks and exceeding safety thresholds used by regulators in the Netherlands and Belgium. Environmental and ecosystem risks TFA is extremely mobile and persistent, making it a particular threat to aquatic ecosystems where it accumulates, disrupts biodiversity, and has no known pathway for removal. Its accumulation in soils is rising, particularly in agricultural areas, with plants absorbing large quantities that do not dissipate through transpiration, causing TFA to get "stuck" in plant tissues. Ecotoxicity studies are limited, but several scientists warn TFA meets criteria for a "planetary boundary threat," raising the possibility it could irreversibly disrupt earth system processes if accumulation is not curbed.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
US scientists find that lifestyle changes like diet, exercise can help reduce dementia risk
Right now, over 6 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. As the population ages, that number is expected to nearly double by 2050. While there's still no cure, scientists are uncovering powerful ways to slow down cognitive decline—and one of the most promising discoveries just came out. Lifestyle changes that really work for your brain A major new study has revealed some of the strongest evidence yet that certain lifestyle changes—like eating well, staying active, and keeping your brain engaged—can actually improve thinking and memory in older adults. Researchers followed more than 2,100 sedentary adults in their 60s and 70s over the course of two years. These weren't fitness junkies or brain training fanatics—just regular people who started making more consistent, healthy changes. The ones who stuck to the program showed noticeable improvements in mental sharpness, and even better—they slowed down the usual memory and thinking decline that comes with aging. The regimen wasn't extreme. It included a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and brain exercises—the kind you can do from home or in a group setting. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Japanese AI invention allows you to speak 68 languages instantly. The idea? Genius. Enence 2.0 Undo So if you've ever wondered whether those small lifestyle tweaks really make a difference, the answer is: yes, they do. According to this study, taking care of your body and brain can literally keep your mind younger—and that's something we could all use a little more of. During the study, participants were encouraged for increased physical and cognitive activity, healthy diet, social engagement, and cardiovascular health monitoring, but differed in structure, intensity, and accountability. The scientists found that among older adults at risk of cognitive decline and dementia, a structured, higher-intensity intervention had a statistically significant greater benefit on global cognition compared with an unstructured, self-guided intervention. In short: having a plan and sticking to it worked better than trying to go it alone. If you're concerned about memory or brain aging, this shows that joining a more focused program—or even creating one with structure and support—might help keep your mind sharper for longer. What they found was pretty clear: a structured, more intense program worked better than just doing things on your own without a plan. What does structured lifestyle intervention mean? The group that followed the structured program had a pretty solid plan. Over two years, they met 38 times with coaches and team members who helped guide them through everything. They got clear activity plans and tracked how well they stuck to them. Their weekly routine included aerobic workouts (like walking or biking) four times a week, resistance training twice a week, and stretching/flexibility exercises twice a week. They also followed the MIND diet, which focuses on brain-friendly foods, and did online brain training using a program called BrainHQ three times a week. On top of that, their blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels were checked twice a year to help stay on track. As a fun bonus, they could get up to $10 a month back for buying blueberries—one of the MIND diet's brain-boosting superfoods! What about the other team? The self-guided group took a more relaxed, do-it-yourself approach. They got access to educational materials that are publicly available—like brochures or online info—and were encouraged to make lifestyle changes in whatever way worked best for them and their own schedules. They had a total of six group meetings over two years, where they got support and encouragement from peers and staff, but there wasn't any structured coaching or goal-setting like in the other group. It was more about offering motivation than giving specific instructions. To help with behavior changes, participants were given $75 gift cards during the team meetings. And just like the structured group, they had yearly health checkups at clinic visits to monitor things like blood pressure and cholesterol. The study based on The US Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (US POINTER) was presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto. The findings have been published in JAMA journal.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Punjab rolls out drug prevention curriculum for Classes IX to XII from Aug 1
Chandigarh: The Punjab govt is all set to roll out a drug prevention curriculum for students of Classes IX to XII in all govt schools as part of the third phase of the ongoing "Yudh Nashian De Virudh" campaign, education minister Harjot Singh Bains announced on Monday. Bains said that AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann will jointly launch the statewide curriculum on Aug 1 at Arniwala in Fazilka district. Sharing details of the initiative, Bains said the pioneering curriculum was developed by J-PAL South Asia, an organisation led by Nobel Laureate Prof Abhijit Banerjee. The programme will target approximately eight lakh students in Classes IX to XII, focusing on prevention-oriented skills to help them resist substance abuse. The curriculum will consist of 35-minute sessions, held every fortnight over 27 weeks, and will use a mix of engaging tools—documentaries, quizzes, posters, and interactive activities. The sessions will cover key areas such as myth-busting, refusal strategies, and resisting peer pressure, equipping students with the knowledge to make informed, healthy choices. The initiative will span 3,658 govt schools and involve more than 6,500 trained teachers, Bains said, underlining its wide reach and potential impact on Punjab's education and public health landscape. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo He emphasised that the programme is evidence-based, developed in consultation with leading behavioural scientists, and evaluated through randomised control trials in 78 govt schools in Amritsar and Tarn Taran during 2024–25. These trials covered 9,600 students and were assessed by J-PAL South Asia. He held that the results were promising: awareness of the high addiction risk from even a single use of 'chitta' increased from 69% in the control group to 90% among students who underwent the program. Moreover, the belief that addiction can be overcome by willpower alone dropped from 50% to 20%, indicating success in debunking harmful myths related to substance abuse.
