Overview
- Researchers analyzing 17,710 people from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging and EPIC‑Norfolk reported that those in the highest blood xylitol quartile had a 57% higher risk of a major cardiovascular event over six years in CLSA and an 18% higher risk over 30 years in EPIC‑Norfolk.
- The association persisted after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, lipids, diabetes, hypertension and body mass index and showed a clear dose-response pattern across xylitol quartiles.
- Prior laboratory work from the same group found xylitol can boost platelet clotting, giving a plausible biological mechanism that could link higher circulating xylitol to thrombotic events.
- The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in late August 2026 and are observational, not yet peer‑reviewed, so researchers warn causation is unproven and further studies are needed.
- Xylitol is a sugar alcohol added at high levels to sugar-free gum, mints and oral-care products, so the research could prompt follow-up studies and regulatory review and may affect how consumers and clinicians view widespread use of sugar alcohol sweeteners.