Credits: Social Media
Xylitol may increase chances of stroke or heart attack, research suggests
Many years ago, I remember someone telling me that xylitol and other artificial sweeteners are potentially carcinogenic, and that it was generally better to drink the real sugar in regular fizzy drinks than the fake sugar in diet versions. This may be broadly true, but it may not be that simple. The debate has moved on. And… fizzy drinks arent the only place youll come across xylitol.
New research published in the European Heart Journal finds an association �not a direct causal link between xylitol ingestion and an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). In laymans terms, these are strokes and heart attacks.
Popular sweetener found in sodas and toothpaste may increase risk of strokes and heart attack
Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic have published a paper in the European Heart Journal, in which they argue that xylitol is prothrombotic . What does this mean?
Thrombus is another word for a blood clot. If something is prothrombotic, it leads to thrombosis, which is blood clotting. Blood clots block the flow of blood in the blood vessels, or if they break free of the inner membrane, they can travel elsewhere in the body.
Blood clots can be harmful. If a clot gets stuck in a critical area, such as near the lungs or brain, it can cause life-threatening conditions, such as stroke and heart attack. So, if a substance is prothrombotic, thats a red flag. But the research doesnt definitively say that people who consume xylitol will have heart attacks, or even have a significantly higher risk of suffering a heart attack.
It says there is an association between xylitol and a three-year risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event. Again, these include nonfatal strokes, nonfatal myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), and cardiovascular death.�
Xylitol is in more than youd think, including your own body
Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol. It occurs naturally in many plants, fruits and vegetables. Humans even produce it in very small quantities via natural metabolic processes. This is how it earns its natural label.
However, note that the quantities we produce of sugar alcohols are over 1000-fold lower than those in which its found in sugar-free foods.
Because of its sweet taste, food manufacturers often use xylitol as a substitute for sugar. This is why youll often find it in sugar-free candies, mints and chewing gums. And it’s a regular ingredient in the “diet” versions of sweet snacks and soft drinks.
It also has the advantage of not causing tooth decay �hence its popularity among toothpaste manufacturers. It actually reduces levels of decay-causing bacteria in saliva, and acts against some of the bacteria that can cause ear infections, according to WebMD.
Even though the word alcohol forms part of its name, sugar alcohols like xylitol do not make you drunk. Theyre safe for people with alcohol addictions, and tend not to raise blood sugar levels.
Understanding the benefits and potential risks of consuming xylitol and other sugar alcohols
In 2023, researchers in Thailand published a paper in the academic journal Nutrients arguing that substituting glucose with xylitol prolongs survival in mice with cancer, at least. It does so by slowing down the growth of tumors.
The paper includes references to other research papers that find, or claim, that xylitol has anti-inflammatory effects and inhibits lung cancer cell proliferation. It has no known toxicity or carcinogenicity , the researchers continue meaning it doesnt cause cancer. However, like most sugar alcohols, it has a laxative effect.
Xylitol is among the sweeteners approved for use in the UK, along with saccharin, sorbitol, sucralose and aspartame. However, while it may be broadly safe and not carcinogenic, the paper mentioned above recommends further research into the cardiovascular safety of xylitol.
