A recent study has raised alarming concerns about Xylitol, a common sugar substitute, suggesting it may pose significant health risks. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic have found that Xylitol, a natural sweetener often used in sugar-free products, might contribute to weight gain, diabetes, and blood clots.
Xylitol, a sugar alcohol derived from plants, is widely used in sugar-free sweets, mints, chewing gums, cakes, biscuits, and even toothpaste and mouthwash. However, according to the study published in the European Heart Journal, high levels of Xylitol were linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events over a three-year period.
“This study 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, Chair of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences at Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute.
The research team analyzed data from over 3,000 patients and found that high levels of Xylitol were associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Pre-clinical testing also indicated that Xylitol caused blood platelets to clot, thereby heightening the risk of blood clots.
Additionally, the researchers tracked platelet activity in people who consumed a Xylitol-sweetened drink compared to those who drank a glucose-sweetened drink. They discovered that clotting ability significantly increased immediately after consuming Xylitol, but not glucose.
Despite these findings, experts advise against throwing out products containing Xylitol, such as toothpaste, but caution that consuming high levels of Xylitol could increase the risk of blood clot-related events. The study, however, has its limitations, as it only established a link between Xylitol and cardiovascular events without proving causation. Further research is needed to assess the long-term safety of Xylitol consumption.
Carla Saunders, President of the Calorie Control Council, responded to the study, stating, “The results of this study are contrary to decades of scientific evidence substantiating the safety and efficacy of low-calorie sweeteners such as Xylitol by global health and regulatory agencies. These findings are a disservice to those who rely on alternative sweeteners as a tool to improve their health.”
Saunders emphasized that Xylitol has been trusted for over 60 years as a low-calorie sweetener with proven dental benefits, including preventing plaque build-up and tooth decay. It is also naturally occurring in foods such as strawberries, lettuce, and oats.
This study follows previous research that found a link between erythritol, another sugar alcohol used in some energy drinks, and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Additionally, research has indicated that the artificial sweetener neotame, found in cakes, drinks, and chewing gum, could damage the gut and cause serious illness.
The Cleveland Clinic researchers recommend consulting a doctor or a certified dietitian to learn more about healthy food choices and to receive personalized dietary recommendations.
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