Health
Study links elevated xylitol levels to increased heart attack and stroke risk
Observational data from over 17,700 participants associate higher blood levels of the artificial sweetener with cardiovascular events, though researchers stress it does not prove causation.
The short version
- A study presented at the ESC Cardiology Congress found that higher blood levels of xylitol were associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular-related death.
- Researchers analyzed data from more than 17,700 participants across two multi-year cohorts in Canada and the United Kingdom.
- Experts emphasize that the observational study does not prove xylitol directly causes heart problems, as the compound is also produced naturally by the body.
Key facts
- Researchers examined two study groups totaling over 17,700 participants from Canada and the UK to evaluate cardiovascular outcomes.[Fox News]
- In the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, individuals with the highest xylitol blood levels showed a 57% higher risk of cardiovascular-related death, heart attack, or stroke over six years compared to those with the lowest levels.[Fox News]
- Participants in the UK-based EPIC-Norfolk cohort with the highest xylitol levels experienced an 18% greater risk of major adverse cardiovascular events over a 30-year follow-up period.[Fox News]
- The dose-dependent associations persisted after researchers adjusted for traditional risk factors, including age, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, and lipid levels.[Fox News]