The trend of low-calorie sweeteners makes us feel less guilty about grabbing that sweet treat every so often, but recent research reveals that these sugar alternatives might not be as healthy as originally thought.
A recent study led by Dr. Stanley Hazen out of the Cleveland Clinic suggests that certain ingredients in these commonly-used sweeteners pose a greater risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) such as heart attack and stroke.
The study published in the European Heart Journal
looked at sugar alcohols, which are organic compounds derived from combining molecules from sugar and alcohol to create a sweeter, lower-calorie alternative to sugar. One of the most frequently used and a focus of the study, xylitol, is found in plants, vegetables and fruits, as well as in low-calorie sweeteners.
It is often used as a substitute for processed sugar and is an ingredient in types of chewing gum and toothpaste, for example. The amount of xylitol, when used as a sweetener alternative, is significantly greater than the amount found in natural foods. Humans also naturally produce small amounts of xylitol as part of a normal metabolism.
Results of the study show that levels of xylitol found in artificially-sweetened products were associated with a higher risk of causing blood clots, resulting in cardiovascular issues.