Popular Chewing Gum Sweetener Linked To Higher Heart Attack Risk, Study Finds
Researchers found xylitol levels in the top quartile were linked to a 57% higher cardiovascular event risk in one cohort and 18% higher in another.
- A large German study presented at the 2026 European Society of Cardiology Congress revealed high blood levels of xylitol, also called "birch sugar," are associated with increased long-term risk for major adverse cardiovascular events.
- Manufacturers frequently add xylitol to foods, chewing gum, and toothpaste as a sugar substitute, often recommending it to individuals managing diabetes or weight issues as a safer alternative to excess sugar.
- Analyzing 17,710 participants, researchers found a dose-response relationship; those with highest blood xylitol levels faced a 57% higher risk for major cardiovascular events over six years and an 18% higher risk over 30 years.
- Dr. Marco Witkowski from Charité University Hospital in Berlin warned the findings indicate high blood levels are linked to cardiovascular events, noting previous research showing the sweetener may enhance platelet clot formation.
- Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Stanley Hazen recommends avoiding these sweeteners, while dietitian Jemma O'Hanlon of Foodwatch cautions that swapping sugar for alternatives is not a solution, advising consumers to prioritize whole foods like fruit.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
This popular sweetener is linked to higher heart attack and stroke risk
It’s found in everything from toothpaste and medicine to jams, drinks and sugar-free cakes. Here’s what experts want you to know about the risks.
Common Sugar Substitute Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke, Study Finds
Fact checked by Nick BlackmerXylitol, a sugar substitute, can be found in many common products.Credit: Andrii Bicher / Getty ImagesWhat we’re talking about: New research linked xylitol, a popular sugar substitute, with a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.Why this matters: Xylitol is often found in common items like sugar-free gum and low calorie snacks, and can be a popular choice for people with diabetes or those managing their wei…
Chewing gums, sweets, sugarless drinks... You may regularly consume this sweetener thinking of making a healthier choice. Yet a vast study raises new questions about its long-term effects on the heart.
It sounds like the perfect alternative to household sugar: free of calories, good for teeth and on a natural basis. However, researchers are now fundamentally questioning this certainty.
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