( MENAFN - AzerNews) An artificial sweetener known as sugar alcohol has never soundedlike the healthiest thing for people, Azernews reportc citing theMedicalNewsToday. Turns out, it may not be. In a study published in the European Heart Journal, ClevelandClinic researchers report that higher amounts of xylitol, a type ofsugar alcohol, can increase risk of heart attack, stroke, and othercardiovascular events.
The researchers said they found the associations in alarge-scale patient analysis, a clinical intervention study, andpreclinical research models. Xylitol is a lower-calorie sugar substitute with a low glycemicindex. Sugar alcohols are carbohydrates that don't actually containalcohol.
Xylitol occurs naturally in small amounts in fibrous fruits andvegetables, corn cobs, trees, and the human body. It's used as asugar substitute because its taste is comparable to sugar but hasfewer calories. Xylitol is found in many products, ranging from sugar-free candyand gum to toothpaste.
People also use it as a sweetener and forbaking. The research team said over the past decade, sugar substitutessuch as sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners have significantlyincreased in processed foods promoted as healthy alternatives. The Cleveland Clinic team found a similar link between anothersugar alcohol, erythritol, and cardiovascular risk last year.
Theysaid in a statement that xylitol isn't as common as erythritol inketo or sugar-free products in the United States, but they noted itis comm.
