Xylitol Linked To Strokes and Heart Attacks, Study Finds
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Guardian: A common sweetener used in products such as chewing gum, toothpaste, jam, yoghurts and ice-cream has been linked to an increased risk of strokes, heart attacks and death. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol present in some natural foods in very low amounts. It is also added -- often in amounts 1,000 times higher -- to artificially sweeten foods,…
A study presented at the European Society of Cardiology's annual congress in Munich has found a potential link between a common sweetener, xylitol, and an increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, and death. Xylitol, a sugar alcohol found in low concentrations in natural foods and often added in much higher amounts to artificially sweeten products, has never been extensively studied for its long-term health effects.
Researchers examined blood levels of xylitol in 17,710 individuals and compared the top 25% with the highest levels against the bottom 25% with the lowest levels. Those with the highest xylitol levels were 57% more likely to die or experience a heart attack or stroke within six years, and 18% more likely to have suffered such an event after 30 years.
The study also revealed a dose-dependent relationship, meaning the higher the xylitol blood levels, the higher the risk of cardiovascular events. The researchers emphasized that this association held true regardless of factors like age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, and lipid levels, which could otherwise increase the likelihood of low-calorie product consumption.
Written by urgent.news from Slashdot's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
