In an effort to combat the rise of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, sugar substitutes and sugar alcohols have been used to replace sugar in a variety of products, from baked goods to maple syrup. European Heart Journal There is growing evidence that these sweeteners can have adverse effects. In this case, researchers studied the immediate reactions and long-term outcomes associated with the sugar alcohol, xylitol.
Observational studies have found that elevated blood xylitol levels are associated with increased incidence of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, in adults. These events were more common in adults who suffered from heart disease years later. Through laboratory studies using human blood samples and mice, researchers have studied the underlying mechanisms of xylitol’s reaction in the body and found that the sugar alcohol produces effects similar to the early stages of blood clotting. An additional study was conducted in 10 people, measuring the effects after ingesting sugar alcohols from a glass of water. The amount given to the subjects was similar to the amount found in xylitol-containing ice cream and candy. Thirty minutes after ingestion, the subjects’ blood xylitol levels rose 1,000 times higher than before ingestion, but returned to normal after a few hours.
The authors note that many products, including toothpaste, contain xylitol, and while this does not mean people should avoid these products completely, the findings are important for people to be aware of the effects xylitol may have in the body, especially for those at risk for cardiovascular disease. The authors conclude that more research is needed to understand these effects. The study was supported by NHLBI and the Office of Dietary Supplements.