Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
A registered dietitian, who was not involved in the study, told Newsweek: "The results are noteworthy."
A study set to be presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2026 reveals that individuals with higher blood levels of xylitol, a widely used artificial sweetener, face a greater risk of cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks and strokes. Xylitol, often used as a sugar substitute in various products, is derived from the body and certain foods, but is commonly added in higher quantities.
Dr. Marco Witkowski from Charité University Hospital in Berlin, Germany, explained that participants with the highest xylitol levels had a 57 percent increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events after a six-year follow-up in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging and an 18 percent increased risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk study, spanning 30 years.
The research, involving 17,710 participants, suggests a positive correlation between higher xylitol levels and cardiovascular risk. While regulatory agencies deem artificial sweeteners safe, the study's findings prompt further investigation into the long-term health effects of xylitol consumption. Nutrition expert Kirsty Thomas advised considering these results within the broader scientific context and emphasized that individual responses to dietary choices may vary.
Experts stress the need for more studies to establish a causal relationship but underscore the importance of consulting healthcare providers before making significant dietary changes, particularly for those with existing health risks.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
