Xylitol, the cause of heart attacks and strokes? Three questions to understand the potential danger of this sugar substitute – Libération

A study from the Cleveland Clinic, published on June 6 in the scientific journal “European Heart Journal,” proves a link between high consumption of this sweetener and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

You may be reading this article while chewing sugar-free gum or candy. The refreshing minty taste you feel afterwards is due to the xylitol. A sugar substitute that was the subject of a study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic and published on June 6 in the scientific journal European Heart Journal. According to his findings, xylitol causes an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Does this mean you should stop using it? launch Explains the potential danger of this sugar substitute.

What is xylitol?

Xylitol is a sweetener belonging to the polyol family, used as a food additive. “It's not necessarily a synthetic product.” Determines Jean-Michel Lecerf, a nutritionist specializing in endocrinology at the Pasteur Institute in Lille. It comes from birch bark, and is also found in very small amounts in some fruits and vegetables, such as cauliflower, plums, and even strawberries. The glycemic index is 10 times lower than white sugar. It is also lower in calories. But its sweetening power is the same as regular sugar. For this reason, it is used as a sugar substitute, and is especially recommended for people with diabetes or a genetic predisposition to diabetes.

In which foods is xylitol found?

There are two indicators that allow the presence of xylitol in food to be detected: the statement “E 967” or “no added sugar”. “Manufacturers replace part of the sugars with these