{
  "id": 3984667,
  "title": "Sweetener used in chewing gum and jam linked to strokes and heart attacks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/sweetener-used-in-chewing-gum-and-jam-linked-to-strokes-and-heart-3984667",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-28T13:05:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/28/sweetener-xylitol-used-in-chewing-gum-and-jam-linked-to-strokes-and-heart-attacks-study"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new study has found a possible link between the common sweetener xylitol, used in products like chewing gum, jam, and ice-cream, and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Xylitol, a sugar alcohol found in some natural foods and added to foods, beverages, and oral care products in much higher amounts, has never been widely studied for its long-term health impacts despite its growing use.\n\nResearchers studied 17,710 people and found those with the highest blood levels of xylitol were 57% more likely to die or suffer a heart attack or stroke within six years compared to those with the lowest levels. Even after 30 years, they remained 18% more likely to experience a cardiac event. The study suggests a dose-dependent relationship, with higher blood levels of xylitol corresponding to a higher risk of cardiovascular events.\n\nThe link between xylitol and cardiovascular events was consistent across different characteristics such as age and sex, and independent of factors like body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, and lipid levels. Dr. Marco Witkowski, the study's author from the Charité university hospital in Berlin, noted that previous research showed xylitol can enhance platelets' ability to form clots, and that high blood levels of xylitol were linked to adverse heart events in high-risk people over a three-year period.\n\nDr. Dan Atar, an ESC expert, emphasized that while observational studies like this cannot prove causation, they highlight the need for further research on the cardiovascular safety of xylitol, especially as its use continues to increase in products. Senior dietitian Dell Stanford from the British Heart Foundation highlighted that risks to heart health accumulate over time and warned that artificial sweeteners like xylitol could contribute to poor heart health if consumed in excess. The study is a reminder to focus on reducing intake of processed foods and drinks high in sugar, salt, or sweeteners and to maintain a balanced diet to protect heart health.",
  "summary": "High blood levels of xylitol associated with higher risk of major cardiovascular events, in largest study of its kind 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…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Health",
        "title": "Sweetener used in chewing gum and jam linked to strokes and heart attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/sweetener-used-in-chewing-gum-and-jam-linked-to-strokes-and-heart",
        "published": "2026-08-28T13:05:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}