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study links ingredient in artificial sweeteners to increased risk of heart attack and stroke

a recent study suggests ingredients in commonly-used sweeteners pose a greater risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (mace) such as heart attack and stroke.

by raby nguer
published jul 04, 2024
read time 2 minute read
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one of the most frequently used sugar alcohols and a focus of the study, xylitol, is found in plants, vegetables and fruits, as well as in low-calorie sweeteners. getty images
the trend of low-calorie sweeteners makes us feel less guilty about grabbing that sweet treat every so often, but recent research reveals that these sugar alternatives might not be as healthy as originally thought. a recent study led by dr. stanley hazen out of the cleveland clinic suggests that certain ingredients in these commonly-used sweeteners pose a greater risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (mace) such as heart attack and stroke.
the study published in the european heart journal looked at sugar alcohols, which are organic compounds derived from combining molecules from sugar and alcohol to create a sweeter, lower-calorie alternative to sugar. one of the most frequently used and a focus of the study, xylitol, is found in plants, vegetables and fruits, as well as in low-calorie sweeteners.
it is often used as a substitute for processed sugar and is an ingredient in types of chewing gum and toothpaste, for example. the amount of xylitol, when used as a sweetener alternative, is significantly greater than the amount found in natural foods. humans also naturally produce small amounts of xylitol as part of a normal metabolism.
results of the study show that levels of xylitol found in artificially-sweetened products were associated with a higher risk of causing blood clots, resulting in cardiovascular issues.

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dr. hazen and his team looked at the relationship between cell fragments in the blood called platelets and xylitol. they found that the sugar alcohol made platelets more sensitive to blood clotting signals. the study followed more than 3,000 patients from the united states and europe and found that subjects with higher circulating levels of xylitol had a greater risk of major heart problems over a three-year period.
researchers also observed the immediate results of subjects consuming a xylitol-sweetened drink compared to a glucose-sweetened drink. the results showed that clotting ability was much higher immediately after ingesting the xylitol beverage over the glucose beverage.
“this study again shows the immediate need for investigating sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners, especially as they continue to be recommended in combatting conditions like obesity or diabetes,” said dr. hazen, as quoted in an article from the cleveland clinic. “it does not mean throw out your toothpaste if it has xylitol in it, but we should be aware that consumption of a product containing high levels could increase the risk of blood clot-related events.”
this comes as a follow up to a previous study on erythritol, another sugar alcohol which produced the same outcome.
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while the risks of consuming both sugar and sugar alcohols vary, this new research sheds light on the “health food” craze in a way that may have people opting for fewer sweeteners in their morning cup of joe.
raby nguer
raby nguer
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