Xylitol Sweetener Effects on Heart Health

Xylitol sweetener is facing new scrutiny after research raised questions about its possible relation with cardiovascular health.

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sugar substitute in products including chewing gum, toothpaste and some food products. It generally contains fewer calories than sugar and has a smaller effect on blood glucose. Its popularity has been linked to dental health, with xylitol frequently used in sugar-free chewing gum and oral-care products.

However, researchers are now examining whether there could be another side to consuming the sweetener.

A study involving 17,710 people found that participants with higher levels of xylitol in their blood had a higher risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, according to The Guardian. The researchers reported that people with the highest levels had a 57% greater risk of experiencing such an event within 6 years than those with the lowest levels.

That finding still does not prove that eating xylitol causes heart attacks or strokes.

Previous research reported by the US National Institutes of Health also found a relationship between xylitol and increased blood-clot formation, while researchers stressed that more studies are needed to understand the long-term cardiovascular effects.

There is also conflicting evidence. A 2025 review published in the European Heart Journal noted that studies had not found evidence of increased thrombotic risk following xylitol consumption.

This means consumers should be extra careful about interpreting the latest headlines as proof that xylitol is either dangerous or completely safe. Like other sugar alcohols, xylitol can also cause discomfort to the digestive system when consumed in large amounts.

For now, the new research is best understood as a reason for further investigation into the long-term effects of xylitol sweetener, rather than evidence that everyone who consumes it faces an immediate heart-health risk.