Xylitol sugar substitute linked to increased cardiovascular risk

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New research presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Munich suggests a link between high blood levels of the sugar substitute xylitol and an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The study analyzed data from 17,710 participants across two large cohorts: the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging and the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk group.

In the Canadian cohort, participants with the highest xylitol levels faced a 57 percent greater risk of death, heart attack, or stroke over a six-year follow-up period. In the British EPIC-Norfolk group, those with the highest levels showed an 18 percent increased risk of MACE over a 30-year period. The association appeared dose-dependent, meaning higher concentrations correlated with higher event rates.

Researchers noted that these risks persisted even after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, and lipid levels. The findings build on previous research indicating that xylitol may enhance platelet clotting ability. However, experts caution that these are observational studies and do not prove direct causation. Some medical professionals noted that xylitol is a natural metabolic intermediate and that a single serving, such as a piece of gum, is unlikely to cause significant spikes in blood levels.

Entities

Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging · Charité University Hospital · ESC Cardiology Congress · European Prospective Investigation into Cancer · European Society of Cardiology · Marco Witkowski · National Institutes of Health · Xylitol

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 12 SOURCES] The research analyzed data from 17,710 participants. www.kaleva.fi · www.iltalehti.fi · www.karjalainen.fi · offthepress.com · wochentlich.de · +6 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The sweetener erythritol showed similar results regarding cardiovascular risk. www.kaleva.fi · www.karjalainen.fi
[● 12 SOURCES] High blood xylitol levels are linked to an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events such as death, heart attack, or stroke. www.kaleva.fi · www.iltalehti.fi · www.karjalainen.fi · offthepress.com · wochentlich.de · +6 more
[● 12 SOURCES] The observed effect was independent of other risk factors like smoking or high blood pressure. www.kaleva.fi · www.karjalainen.fi · offthepress.com · wochentlich.de · focuspress.ro · +6 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Associate Professor Eva Söderling noted that the research was not an intervention study. www.iltalehti.fi
[● 2 SOURCES] Professor Tuomas Kiviniemi stated it is highly unlikely that consuming a single piece of gum would significantly raise blood xylitol levels. www.kaleva.fi · www.karjalainen.fi
[● 11 SOURCES] Participants with the highest xylitol levels had a 57 percent greater probability of death, heart attack, or stroke within six years. www.iltalehti.fi · offthepress.com · wochentlich.de · focuspress.ro · www.g4media.ro · +5 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Participants in the EPIC-Norfolk group with the highest xylitol levels had an 18 percent greater risk of major adverse cardiovascular events over 30 years. offthepress.com · wochentlich.de · focuspress.ro · www.g4media.ro · www.iltalehti.fi · +5 more