Could xylitol be less heart-friendly than we thought?
Recent research presented at the European Society of Cardiology indicates a correlation between high levels of the sugar substitute xylitol and an increased risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. Over a six-year study, individuals with the highest blood levels of xylitol faced a significantly elevated risk compared to those with the lowest levels.
Why it matters
Xylitol is a widely used low-calorie sweetener found in many consumer products including gum, toothpaste, and diet foods, meaning these health concerns could impact millions of consumers globally.
A study of over 17,700 people has found that those with the highest levels of xylitol in their blood were more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or death than those with the lowest levels. (Envato Elements pic)
PETALING JAYA: Xylitol has long enjoyed a fairly wholesome reputation. The low-calorie sweetener turns up in everything from sugar-free chewing gum and sweets to yoghurt, jam and toothpaste, and is often marketed as an alternative to ordinary sugar.
But recent research has added to concerns that its effects on the cardiovascular system may be more complicated than previously thought.
According to The Guardian, researchers studying more than 17,700 people found that those with the highest levels of xylitol in their blood were more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or death than those with the lowest levels.
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