Common sweetener linked to increased stroke and heart attack risk, study finds

Xylitol, a sugar alcohol widely used as a sweetener in various products, has been associated with an elevated risk of stroke and heart attack, according to a new study. The sweetener is a common ingredient in items such as chewing gum, toothpaste, jam, yogurt, and ice cream.

The findings, published ahead of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) annual congress, revealed that individuals with higher concentrations of xylitol in their blood exhibited a greater likelihood of experiencing major cardiovascular events, defined as death, heart attack, or stroke. The study analyzed data from over 17,700 participants across two prospective observational studies.

“

Artificial sweeteners are consumed by people who think they are healthier than sugar and they are generally regarded as safe by regulatory agencies.

Over a six-year follow-up in one study, participants with the highest xylitol levels faced a 57% increased risk of major cardiovascular events. In another study spanning 30 years, the risk was 18% higher. Researchers noted a dose-dependent relationship, indicating that higher blood xylitol levels correlated with a higher rate of cardiovascular events.

“

the long-term findings highlighted “how little we know about the cardiovascular safety of xylitol” and indicated that further studies were needed, particularly as the amount of xylitol used in products continues to increase.

While xylitol occurs naturally in the body and some foods in small amounts, it is often added to products at levels significantly higher than natural occurrences. Previous research has suggested that xylitol can enhance the blood's ability to form clots. Although regulatory agencies generally regard artificial sweeteners as safe, the long-term cardiovascular safety of xylitol remains an area requiring further investigation, particularly given its increasing use.

Experts caution that the study is observational, making it difficult to infer causality. However, the findings underscore the need for more research into the cardiovascular effects of xylitol, a topic of significant societal interest due to its widespread consumption.

“

As with all observational studies, casualties are difficult to infer, but this work shows that further studies are mandated into this societally important topic.