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The ‘healthy’ sweetener linked to heart attacks and strokes
The Telegraph • • health
Key Points:
- A recent study presented at the European Society of Cardiology linked high blood levels of xylitol, a sugar-alcohol sweetener, to a 57% increased risk of stroke or heart attack over six years compared to low levels.
- Xylitol is widely used in sugar-free gums, dental products, diet foods, and drinks due to its lower calorie content and dental benefits, but its cardiovascular safety is now questioned.
- Research suggests that elevated blood xylitol levels may promote platelet clumping, increasing the risk of dangerous blood clots that can trigger heart attacks or strokes.
- Some experts caution that high xylitol levels might also reflect underlying metabolic issues or high sugar intake, and larger studies are needed to confirm direct causation from xylitol consumption.
- Health professionals advise that people with chronic conditions like pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, or liver disease should moderate xylitol intake, while cautioning against reverting to high sugar consumption due to its well-known risks.
