In an unfortunate news, a new study revealed that the stevia plant, which is considered one of the most popular natural sugar alternatives, may cause individuals to suffer from serious health issues, the most significant of which are heart attacks.

The study confirmed that there is a link between the substance "erythritol" found in the stevia plant and blood clotting, heart attacks, and strokes, according to American "CNN".

The aim of the study was to find any chemicals or compounds in a person's blood that might predict the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death.

The team began analyzing 1,157 blood samples from individuals at risk of heart disease, collected between 2004 and 2011.

They found that the substance "erythritol" appeared to play a significant role in this regard.

To confirm the results, the team tested another set of blood samples from more than 2,100 individuals in the United States and an additional 833 samples collected by colleagues in Europe up until 2018. About three-quarters of the participants were suffering from coronary artery disease or high blood pressure, and roughly one-fifth were diabetic.

Heart Attack or Stroke

The researchers also found that higher levels of "erythritol" were associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, or death within three years.

They wrote in their study, which was published in the journal "Nature": "Every 25% increase in erythritol in the blood is associated with a doubling of the risk of heart attacks and strokes."

Additionally, they noted that individuals with risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, were twice as likely to experience a heart attack or stroke if they had high levels of "erythritol" in their blood.

Dr. Stanley Hazen, the study's lead author and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Prevention at the Lerner Research Institute at Cleveland Clinic in the United States, stated, "The degree of risk was not modest."

He pointed out that the human body produces "erythritol" naturally but in low amounts that do not explain the levels measured.

Clots form and move to the heart

He continued, "(erythritol) seems to cause platelets to clot more easily. Then, clots can detach and travel to the heart, leading to a heart attack or to the brain, resulting in a stroke."

The study team emphasized the need for broader and more in-depth studies on the potential impact of "erythritol" on health, especially since this substance is widely available at present, and given its classification by the European Food Safety Authority and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as generally safe.