Sweetener Raises Concerns
Sugar Alcohol May Not Be So Sweet After All
Another study is raising concern about the safety of the widely used sugar alcohol sweetener.
WEB Provided by Cleveland Clinic New Cleveland Clinic research shows that consuming foods with. xylitol, a sugar alcohol commonly found in sugar-free gum, candy, and other products, may increase the risk of heart disease.
The study, published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, found that people who consumed the equivalent of two to three packets of sugar-free gum per day had a 34% increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke.
The researchers believe that xylitol may increase the risk of heart disease by raising levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and lowering levels of good cholesterol (HDL). Xylitol may also damage the cells that line the blood vessels, making them more likely to form clots.
More research is needed to confirm the link between xylitol and heart disease. However, the findings of this study suggest that people who are concerned about their heart health may want to limit their intake of sugar-free products containing xylitol.
Conclusion
While sugar alcohols are often marketed as a healthy alternative to sugar, this study suggests that they may not be as harmless as once thought. If you are concerned about your heart health, you may want to limit your intake of sugar-free products containing xylitol.
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