Many sugar-free and low-sugar foods owe their sweetness to the sugar substitute xylitol. It is used, for example, in fruit spreads, gummy bears or chewing gum, offered pure for making cakes and can also be found in some toothpastes.
Xylitol, also known as birch sugar, has a similar sweetening power to beet or cane sugar, but provides about 40% fewer calories. It is also said to have an anti-cavity effect. Xylitol seems to be a good alternative to sugar, which is often consumed in excess. But a study raises doubts.
More strokes with high blood xylitol levels
The in European Heart Journal Published study examined whether xylitol consumption increases the risk of heart attack and Traits elevated. To do this, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio analyzed blood samples from more than 3,300 cardiovascular patients and found that over a three-year period, those with high levels of xylitol in their blood were significantly more likely to suffer from strokes, heart attacks, and death. In the study, increased levels of xylitol in the blood increased the risk of serious cardiovascular disease by 57%.
Xylitol makes platelets more reactive
Such observational data cannot reliably prove a causal link. To prove the connection, the researchers conducted laboratory experiments and tests on healthy test subjects. Xylitol was shown to make blood platelets more reactive. This can promote the formation of blood clots and thus increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Birch sugar is an additive
Birch sugar (xylitol), like sorbitol, isomalt or erythritol, is one of the sugar alcohols and is approved food additive. According to consumer advice centers As a rule, it is not based on birch wood, as the name suggests. Instead, xylitol is produced from other plant-based raw materials, such as corn cob waste, using acids or alkalis using complex technology. So it is the same way highly processed like other sugar substitutes.
Erythritol may also increase the risk of heart attack.
The research team has already reached similar conclusions for the sugar substitute erythritol. Like xylitol, this is a sugar alcohol, nearly calorie-free, and does not affect blood sugar or insulin levels. In 2023 in Nature Medicine Magazine In a published study, the team showed that erythritol is also associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Sweeteners are not necessarily the harmless alternatives to sugar that they are often considered to be.
Marco Witkowski, cardiologist at the German Heart Center of the Charité and first author of both studies
People with cardiovascular disease should reconsider consumption
Marco Witkowski, cardiologist at the German Heart Center Charité and first author of both studies, says: “Our research points to the possible risks of xylitol and shows that sweeteners are not necessarily the harmless sugar alternatives they are often thought to be.” He advises consumers to: rethink their consumption.
“Especially in people with existing cardiovascular risks, xylitol consumption may pose additional health risks,” says Witkowski. These people, in particular, are often recommended to replace sugar with sweeteners. Given the widespread use of xylitol, more research is important to better investigate the potential health risks. It is not yet known to what extent the findings will affect the approval of sugar substitutes: European Food Safety Authority is in the process of re-evaluating the safety of sweeteners.
Recognize xylitol in the ingredients list
You can tell whether a product contains xylitol from the list of ingredients: Suppliers are required to list and label it as a “sweetener”. In addition to “Xylitol”, the name “Xylitol” and the E number “E 967” are also permitted. However, they do not have to specify what quantities the manufacturers use. Since xylitol can cause diarrhea in large quantities, the warning “May have a laxative effect if consumed in excess” is mandatory if the content is above ten percent. If this information is missing, consumers at least know that the xylitol content of the product does not exceed 10%.