Chewing gum linked with raised risk of deadly heart attacks
Those who regularly chew sugar-free gum could face a higher risk of suffering a deadly heart attack or stroke, a new study suggests.
TL;DR
- High consumption of xylitol, a sweetener in sugar-free gum, is linked to a 57% higher risk of heart attack or stroke.
- Previous research suggests xylitol can thicken blood, increasing clot risk.
- A 30-year study of 17,710 participants found higher xylitol blood levels correlated with increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or premature death.
- The findings raise questions about the long-term safety of artificial sweeteners, which are widely consumed.
- Experts emphasize the need for more research and caution that potential risks of sweeteners should be weighed against the known harms of sugar.