The potential risks associated with xylitol, a popular sugar substitute, have garnered attention from researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, whose findings have been published in the European Heart Journal. According to their report, increased consumption of xylitol, a type of sugar alcohol, may heighten the likelihood of experiencing cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.
Through an extensive analysis of patient data, clinical trials, and laboratory studies, the researchers have identified correlations between elevated levels of xylitol and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Xylitol, characterized by its low glycemic index and reduced calorie content, is commonly utilized as a sugar substitute due to its resemblance to sugar. While it occurs naturally in trace amounts in certain fruits, vegetables, and the human body itself, it is also synthesized for various commercial purposes, including as an ingredient in sugar-free products like candies, gums, and toothpaste, as well as a sweetener in baking.
The study, encompassing over 3,000 participants from both the United States and Europe, revealed that individuals with higher concentrations of xylitol in their bloodstreams faced a heightened risk of cardiovascular events over a three-year period. Notably, one-third of the subjects with the highest levels of xylitol were found to be at greater risk of experiencing such events.
Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, a provider of cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide, emphasized the historical context of concerns surrounding sugar substitutes. He noted that the apprehensions regarding artificial sweeteners trace back to the discovery of saccharin in 1879, which was subsequently introduced widely in the early 20th century. While saccharin faced scrutiny in the 1970s over potential links to cancer, subsequent clarifications in the early 2000s, including the removal of saccharin from the National Toxicology Program’s list of potential carcinogens, underscore the evolving understanding of these substances.
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