A common sweetener, xylitol, found in products such as chewing gum, toothpaste, jam, yoghurts, and ice cream, has been linked to an increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, and death. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol added to artificially sweeten various foods, beverages, and oral care products.
In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that people with the highest blood levels of xylitol were 57% more likely to die or suffer a heart attack or stroke within six years, compared to those with the lowest levels. This association persisted even after 30 years, with an 18% higher likelihood of such events.
The findings, presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) annual congress in Munich, suggest a dose-dependent relationship, meaning higher xylitol blood levels were associated with a higher rate of cardiovascular events. This association was observed regardless of baseline characteristics like age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, and lipid levels.
Dr. Marco Witkowski, the study's author, noted that previous research indicated xylitol could enhance the ability of platelets to form clots. Dell Stanford, a senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, highlighted that this observational study shows an association and further research is needed to determine if xylitol directly causes these events.