They might sound like health-conscious choices, but some products advertised as “sugar-free” could pose a health risk.
A recent study by researchers from the Cleveland Clinic determined that xylitol — a type of sugar substitute known as a sugar alcohol — is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events like strokes and heart attacks.
This makes xylitol the second artificial sweetener that this group of researchers has linked to such health risks.
Xylitol is found naturally in plants and some fruits and vegetables. It’s often used as a zero-calorie sweetener in sugar-free candies, baked goods, gum and everyday products like toothpaste.
Researchers analyzed medical data on more than 3,000 U.S. and European participants and found that high levels of xylitol circulating in the body was associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events over a three-year period. The patients with the highest levels of xylitol in their blood were most likely to have a cardiovascular event.
“This study again shows the immediate need for investigating sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners, especially as they continue to be recommended in combating conditions like obesity or diabetes,” said Dr. Stanley Hazen, lead researcher on the study and chair of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences at Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, in a summary of the study findings.
The research team also did pre-clinical testing, which found that xylitol causes blood platelets to clot and heightens the risk of dangerous blood clots known as thrombosis.
Researchers also tracked platelet activity in participants who consumed a xylitol-sweetened drink versus a glucose-sweetened drink. They found that clotting abilities increased immediately after consuming xylitol, but not glucose.
The same researchers conducted a study published in 2023 that linked another artificial sweetener, erythritol, to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems as well. Erythritol is more prevalent than xylitol in sugar-free and keto products in the U.S. However, xylitol is more common in other countries.
To learn more about the 2023 study, check out “Popular Sweetener Linked to Strokes, Heart Attacks, Blood Clots.”
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