Xylitol consumption linked to increased heart attack and stroke risk

A new study presented at the European Society of Cardiology 2026 Congress in Munich has identified a correlation between high consumption of the sweetener xylitol and an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, and death.

Xylitol is widely used in sugar-free products such as chewing gum, mints, toothpaste, candies, and ice cream. While previously considered a safe food additive primarily associated with gastrointestinal discomfort, researchers are now investigating its potential impact on blood clotting.

The study tracked 17,710 individuals across two populations in Canada and the United Kingdom. In the Canadian cohort, those with the highest xylitol consumption showed a 57% higher risk of heart attack or stroke after six years of monitoring. In the United Kingdom cohort, the risk increase was 18% after 30 years. These correlations remained significant after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, BMI, diabetes, and hypertension. Dr. Marco Vitkovsky from Charité University Hospital noted that previous research suggested xylitol may enhance platelet ability to form clots. However, researchers emphasized that this is an observational study, meaning it shows a correlation rather than proving direct causation.