Low-Calorie Sugar Substitute Xylitol Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes [Study]

New studies show that people who eat a lot of the popular low-calorie sugar xylitol have about twice the risk of dying, having a heart attack, or having a stroke.

Because of this finding, it is unlikely that xylitol, found in toothpaste, sugar-free gum, and other low-sugar foods, is safe.

Low-Calorie Sugar Substitute Xylitol Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes [Stduy] — (Photo: Unsplash/Alexander Grey )

Study Results and Opinions of Experts

Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic conducted the study by giving healthy people an average drink sweetened with xylitol. This caused their xylitol levels to rise very quickly.

While consuming sugar, Dr. Stanley Hazen, the study's lead author and director of the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, explained that one's glucose level might increase by 10% or 20%. Still, it doesn't skyrocket by 1,000 times.

The researchers who did the study had already linked erythritol, another low-calorie sugar, to the same heart risks as xylitol. Studies in the lab and on animals showed that both xylitol and erythritol might make blood cells clot more efficiently, which could raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Dr. Matthew Tomey, a cardiologist at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, expressed that while the experiments are intriguing, they don't conclusively establish that platelet abnormalities are responsible for a connection between xylitol and clinical events.

According to the American Heart Association, 61% of Americans will have cardiovascular disease by 2050. This shows how important it is to lower clotting activity. Dr. Andrew Freeman, who oversees heart health and prevention at National Jewish Health, expressed concern over the observation that sugar alcohols enhance platelet activity.

Industry Response and What it Means for Health

Although the study's findings are alarming, business people contest them. Carla Saunders, the head of the Calorie Control Council, was worried that the results might be bad for people who need to use other sweets for health reasons. She also talked about believing that xylitol is safe and good for teeth.

Fruits and veggies like strawberries and cauliflower contain a small amount of the sugar alcohol xylitol. It is made economically from birch trunks, corncobs, or genetically modified microorganisms. It's a popular choice for people with diabetes or who are on low-carb diets because it doesn't raise blood sugar levels and has few calories.

However, the study provides evidence that eating a lot of xylitol can raise its levels in the blood, making it more likely that blood will clot. The FDA officially says that sugar alcohols are "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS), but this study suggests that they may need more research.

Dr. Hazen said more studies are needed, especially on the effects of other sugar alcohols. "We have to figure out whether or not this is something that is a common behavior of all the sugar alcohols versus just a subset," he said.

The results make people question the idea that xylitol is a good sugar substitute and warn those who are at risk for heart disease to be careful. Hazen advised consumers to switch to water or simple beverages as those at risk for diabetes are more prone to experience blood clots.

An increasing number of studies are calling artificial sugar safety into doubt. This emphasizes the need to understand their long-term health consequences thoroughly and encourages individuals to use them carefully.