Artificial Sweetener Xylitol Linked to Higher Risk of Cardiovascular Events

A popular sugar substitute known as xylitol is associated with higher risks of heart attack and stroke. Xvision/Moment/Getty Images A common artificial sweetener known as xylitol is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. A new study found that the higher the level of xylitol in the blood, the greater the risk of heart attack and stroke. Xylitol is used to sweeten foods, beverages, and dental products, but the long-term health impacts of the sugar substitute are still being studied. A common artificial sweetener, xylitol, may be detrimental to cardiovascular health. A new study shows that higher levels of xylitol in the bloodstream were associated with higher risks of cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke. The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026 in Munich, Germany, from August 28–31, but have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. “Artificial sweeteners are consumed by people who think they are healthier than sugar, and they are generally regarded as safe by regulatory agencies,” Marco Witkowski, a researcher from the Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany, who presented the resea…

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