### Potential Health Risks of High Xylitol Consumption Xylitol is a low-calorie sweetener found naturally in small amounts in fruits and vegetables. Over the past decade, it has been increasingly used as a sugar substitute in processed foods, toothpaste, chewing gum, and other products. However, recent studies have raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with high levels of xylitol consumption. A study published in the European Heart Journal on June 7, 2024, found that high levels of xylitol in the blood are linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death. The research team studied over 3,000 people in the U.S. and Europe for three years. They discovered that individuals with the highest levels of xylitol in their plasma were more likely to experience heart or blood vessel problems. To understand the early effects of xylitol, researchers examined platelet activity in volunteers who consumed a xylitol-sweetened drink and a glucose-sweetened drink. They found that xylitol levels increased by 1,000 times in people after consuming the xylitol drink, but not after the glucose-sweetened drink. Dr. Stanley Hazen, chair of the Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences at Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, emphasized the need for further investigation into sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners. He noted that while it is not necessary to stop using toothpaste containing xylitol, consumers should be aware that high levels of xylitol consumption could increase the risk of blood clot-related events. A similar link between erythritol, another sugar substitute, and heart and blood vessel problems was found last year by the same research team. In response to the study, the Calorie Control Council, a trade association representing the low- and reduced-calorie food and beverage industry, stated that xylitol has been approved for decades by government agencies. They also mentioned that the study results might not apply to the general population, as some participants already had a higher risk of heart and blood vessel problems.