Xylitol linked to increased cardiovascular risk in new study

New research presented at the ESC Congress in Munich suggests a link between the sugar substitute xylitol and increased cardiovascular risks. An observational study involving 17,710 participants from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging and the European EPIC-Norfolk study indicated that individuals with higher blood levels of xylitol faced an elevated risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death.

While xylitol is widely used in dental products and food for its oral health benefits, researchers from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin noted that it may increase blood platelet clotting ability. The study suggests that while xylitol is not strictly an artificial sweetener, the quantities consumed in modern diets far exceed natural levels.

In a separate development, biotechnology company Amai Proteins Ltd. has developed a new sweetener called ‘Sweelin’. This alternative is approximately 3,500 times sweeter than sucrose and, according to a small study, does not trigger measurable glucose or insulin responses, offering a potential option for individuals managing diabetes.