Researchers say there appears to be links between the artificial sweetener xylitol, a type of sugar alcohol, and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke

A common low-calorie sweetener called xylitol, found in gum, candy, toothpaste and more, may cause clots that can lead to heart attack and stroke, a new study found.

Then a challenge study in 10 healthy human volunteers showed that a soft drink with 30 g of xylitol increased platelet reactivity as early as 30 minutes after ingestion compared with a sugar-sweetened drink, "strongly suggesting causality," the editorialists noted.

The findings question the health risks of sugar alcohols such as xylitol, even as their use is trending upward.

Higher amounts of the artificial sweetener xylitol might raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, a new study warns.

New research shows the ingredient Xylitol is linked to heart attacks, stroke and death. It may be used in reduced-sugar foods and products like sugarless gum, breath mints, toothpaste and cough syrup.

A new study recently surfaced that shed light on a heightened risk of heart attack and stroke in connection to one particular low-calorie sweetener that can be found on grocery store shelves across California.