Xylitol & Heart Risk?
A common sugar substitute found in sugar-free chewing gum, foods, drinks and toothpaste is raising new questions about heart health.
A study involving 17,710 people found that participants with the highest blood levels of xylitol had a 57% higher associated risk of major cardiovascular events over six years in one cohort. A second cohort followed for 30 years showed an 18% higher associated risk.
But there is an important distinction: the study does NOT prove that xylitol causes heart attacks or strokes.
Researchers say the findings are observational and that more research is needed to determine whether there is a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
So what does the research actually mean for people who use sugar-free products?
Read the full story for the numbers, the science and what researchers say should happen next.
