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Popular sweetener may raise heart attack or stroke risk, new study suggests
WCVB • • health
Key Points:
- A new study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026 links higher blood levels of xylitol, a common artificial sweetener, to increased risks of heart attack and stroke.
- Data from 17,710 participants in Canada and Europe showed those with the highest xylitol levels had a 57% higher risk of major cardiovascular events over six years in Canada and an 18% higher risk over 30 years in Europe.
- The association between xylitol and cardiovascular risk remained significant after adjusting for factors like age, sex, smoking, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight.
- Researchers caution that the study is observational and does not prove causation, emphasizing the need for further research to understand the cardiovascular safety of xylitol as its use in products grows.
- Experts highlight that while artificial sweeteners are generally considered safe, these findings raise important questions about their long-term effects on heart health that warrant additional investigation.
