DistantNews
Support us
Xylitol linked to higher risk of stroke and heart attack
🇬🇷 Greece /Conflict & Security

Xylitol linked to higher risk of stroke and heart attack

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A study of 17,710 people found that those with the highest blood xylitol levels faced a 57% higher risk of death, heart attack or stroke within six years than those with the lowest levels.
  • The association remained after researchers considered factors including age, sex, body-mass index, hypertension, diabetes and lipid levels.
  • Researchers said the findings point to the need for further studies into xylitol’s long-term cardiovascular safety.

Xylitol, a sugar alcohol used in chewing gum, toothpaste, jams, yogurts and ice cream, has been linked to a higher risk of serious cardiovascular events in a large study.

Researchers analysed data from 17,710 people, comparing the quarter with the highest blood xylitol levels with the quarter that had the lowest. Within six years, the high-level group faced a 57% greater likelihood of dying or suffering a heart attack or stroke. After 30 years, the risk remained 18% higher.

In previous studies we showed that xylitol can enhance the ability of platelets to form clots.

— Dr Marco WitkowskiThe study author described earlier research suggesting a possible mechanism for cardiovascular risk.

The findings suggested a dose-related pattern: cardiovascular events increased as blood xylitol levels rose. The association remained consistent regardless of age and sex, and independent of body-mass index, high blood pressure, diabetes and lipid levels.

Artificial sweeteners are consumed by people who consider them healthier than sugar and are generally considered safe by regulators.

— Dr Marco WitkowskiWitkowski described why the findings warrant closer examination of xylitol’s safety.

Xylitol occurs naturally in very small amounts in some foods, but manufacturers add it to products at concentrations reported to be up to 1,000 times higher. Its long-term health effects have not been studied extensively despite its growing use.

Dr Marco Witkowski of Berlin’s Charité university hospital said earlier research found that xylitol could increase the ability of platelets to form clots. He said artificial sweeteners are consumed by people who consider them healthier than sugar and are generally regarded as safe by regulators. The new long-term findings, he added, show how little is known about xylitol’s cardiovascular safety and warrant further research.

Our long-term findings in the general population show how little we know about the cardiovascular safety of xylitol.

— Dr Marco WitkowskiHe said the results support further research into the sweetener’s health effects.
About this summary

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog