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Sweetener Xylitol Linked to Heart Attack Risk
6 Sep
Summary
- New study links artificial sweetener xylitol to increased heart attack and stroke risk.
- Highest xylitol blood levels showed 57% higher risk in one cohort.
- Researchers call for further studies on xylitol's cardiovascular safety.
A new study has revealed a potential link between the artificial sweetener xylitol and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Findings presented at the European Society of Cardiology Conference 2026 suggest that xylitol, commonly used as a sugar substitute, may pose cardiovascular risks.
The research involved two cohorts totaling 17,710 participants from Canada and Europe. In the Canadian cohort, individuals with the highest xylitol concentrations in their blood faced a 57% elevated risk of experiencing heart attacks or strokes. The European cohort showed an 18% higher risk among those with the greatest xylitol levels.
These associations remained significant even after accounting for established cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers highlighted that the risk appears correlated with the amount of xylitol present in the bloodstream. They stressed that much remains unknown about xylitol's cardiovascular safety, especially as its prevalence in food and oral care products grows.
