Xylitol Raises Concerns Over Heart Health Risks

Emerging Research Links Xylitol to Increased Clotting and Cardiovascular Events

A recent study published in the European Heart Journal has shed light on potential risks associated with the widely used sugar substitute, xylitol. The findings suggest that this popular sweetener may contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

Clotting Mechanism and Animal Studies

The research team conducted several experiments to investigate the effects of xylitol on blood clotting. By analyzing plasma samples from over 3,000 participants who had experienced cardiovascular events, they found higher levels of xylitol among those affected. Additionally, tests on human whole blood and platelets revealed that xylitol triggers platelet clotting. Further studies on mice models demonstrated that xylitol enhanced the rate of clot formation at sites of arterial injury.

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“I think we have to figure out whether or not this is something that is a common behavior of all the sugar alcohols versus just a subset,” said Stanley Hazen, a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic. “So far, it appears to be all, but we need to do more research, and others need to.”

Human Trials and Clotting Ability

In a separate experiment, the researchers collected blood samples from healthy volunteers before and after consuming a xylitol-sweetened drink. Remarkably, those who ingested the xylitol beverage exhibited a marked increase in their blood’s clotting ability shortly after consumption. No such change was observed in volunteers who consumed a glucose-sweetened drink.

While the studies establish a link between xylitol and increased cardiovascular risk, the researchers cautioned that they do not definitively prove that xylitol causes these events. Further investigation is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved and the potential implications for public health.

Rising Popularity and Consumption of Sugar Alcohols

The findings come at a time when the use of sugar alcohols like xylitol and erythritol is on the rise, fueled by the growing popularity of keto and low-carb diets. Marketed as “natural” sugar alternatives, these sweeteners have seen a surge in sales, with the xylitol market projected to reach $1.48 billion by 2030, according to Custom Market Insights.

“There’s this unusual situation in the last one or two decades where people are experiencing levels of xylitol that has never been experienced in our evolution before,” Hazen said.

The study challenges the popular perception of sugar alcohols as healthy, natural sugar alternatives. While our bodies produce these compounds as part of energy metabolism, the levels found in processed foods are significantly higher than what could occur naturally.</H2>

“Even though it is a natural compound, it’s used in a very unnatural way, at a level that is massively, massively higher than could ever appear under normal conditions” in our bodies, Hazen explained.

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Comparison to Cholesterol and Industry Response

According to the researchers, an elevated xylitol level may pose a greater risk to heart health than cholesterol. While a high-cholesterol diet might increase blood cholesterol levels by 10 to 30 percent, consuming products high in xylitol can raise xylitol levels in the blood by up to 100,000 percent, remaining elevated for several hours.

The Calorie Control Council, representing manufacturers and suppliers of low- and reduced-calorie foods and beverages, rejected the study’s findings, citing decades of scientific evidence substantiating the safety and efficacy of low-calorie sweeteners like xylitol.

Marion Nestle, emeritus professor of nutrition at New York University, acknowledged the study’s contribution to a growing body of literature on the potential problems caused by artificial sweeteners. “It’s beginning to look more and more that they pose risks,” she wrote, expressing a preference for avoiding them.

Rob van Dam, a professor of exercise and nutrition sciences at George Washington University, emphasized the relevance of the findings given the widespread exposure to these sweeteners. 

“If it would just be about something that people don’t consume much, nobody would really care that much. But the context is, this is something that hundreds of millions of people are exposed to, sometimes every day, so every piece of evidence that raises some concern is quite relevant for public health.”

Call for Further Research and Vigilance

Given the widespread recommendation of sugar substitutes as an alternative for those seeking weight loss, managing diabetes, or addressing metabolic syndrome, Hazen urged fellow researchers to prioritize studying this issue. “I hope this is a call for coming to arms, for fellow researchers to start studying this, because this is a huge public health concern, given how much of this stuff we are pumping into our food pyramid, thinking that it’s a safe thing,” he said.

As the debate around the safety and health implications of sugar alcohols continues, this study serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing research and vigilance in assessing the potential risks and benefits of widely consumed food additives.