Xylitol, a common sugar substitue, found to be associate with "cardiovascular risk," per new study

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses a new study published in the European Heart Journal that found an association between the sugar substitute xylitol and an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including heart attacks, strokes, and death.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Xylitol and Cardiovascular Risks

1. What did the study find about the effects of xylitol on the body?

• The study found that xylitol "enhanced platelet reactivity and thrombosis potential in vivo", meaning it increased the activity and clotting potential of platelets.
• The study also found that consumption of a xylitol-sweetened drink "markedly raised plasma levels and enhanced multiple functional measures of platelet responsiveness in all subjects".

2. How did the effects of xylitol compare to regular sugar?

• According to the study author Dr. Stanley Hazan, when healthy volunteers consumed a typical drink with xylitol, their glucose levels increased by 1,000-fold, compared to only a 10-20% increase with regular sugar.

3. What is the significance of these findings?

• The researchers note that "humankind has not experienced levels of xylitol this high except within the last couple of decades when we began ingesting completely contrived and sugar-substituted processed foods".
• This suggests that the high levels of xylitol consumption in modern processed foods may be linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

[02] Comparison to Other Sugar Substitutes

1. How do the findings on xylitol compare to previous research on other sugar substitutes?

• The article notes that in the past, the sugar substitute erythritol was also found to cause blood clots.
• Both erythritol and xylitol are commonly used in keto, paleo, and reduced-sugar products, often alongside other non-sugar derivatives and alternatives like stevia and monk fruit extract.