圖1. 該研究證實了，在高木糖醇消費量與增加之心血管事件風險間的關聯性。

The study confirmed the link between high Xylitol consumption and an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Consuming large quantities of common low-calorie sweetener Xylitol is linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke, a study has revealed.

一項研究已經揭露，消費大量常見之低熱量甜味劑─木糖醇，與增加的心臟病發作及中風風險，有所關聯。

Low-calorie sweeteners are commonly used as sugar substitutes in processed foods, with assumed health benefits. Xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol found in plants, is a sugar substitute used in candies, gums, baked goods, and toothpaste. It is known to reduce the risk of tooth decay and cavities.

低熱量甜味劑，由於被認為對健康有益，在加工的食品中，普遍被使用作為糖替代品。木糖醇，於植物中被發現的一種天然糖醇，是一種被使用於糖果、口香糖、烘焙食品及牙膏中的糖替代品。眾所周知，其降低蛀牙及蛀牙的風險。

Researchers of the latest study published in the European Heart Journal confirmed the link between high Xylitol consumption and an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Their findings are based on a large-scale patient analysis, preclinical research models, and a clinical intervention study.

該項發表於《歐洲心臟雜誌》之最新研究的研究人員們證實了，高木糖醇消費量與增加心血管事件風險之間的關聯性。他們的研究結果是以，一項大規模的患者分析、諸多臨床前研究模型及一項臨床干預研究為基礎。

The patient analysis involved estimating the three-year risk of cardiovascular events in more than 3,000 patients in the U.S. and Europe. "A third of patients with the highest amount of xylitol in their plasma were more likely to experience a cardiovascular event," the news release stated.

患者分析涉及了，評估美國及歐洲3千多名患者，三年心血管事件的風險。該新聞稿陳述：「於血漿中，具有最高木糖醇含量的患者，三分之一更有可能經歷心血管事件。」

The findings from patient analysis were confirmed by pre-clinical testing that showed that xylitol is responsible for clots and elevates the risk of thrombosis. When the team tracked the platelet activity of people who ingested a xylitol-sweetened drink and compared it with those on a glucose-sweetened drink, they found that clotting ability significantly increased after ingesting xylitol.

顯示了木糖醇導致，血液凝塊及提升血栓形成的臨床前測試證實了，來自患者分析的此些研究發現。當該研究團隊追蹤，攝取以木糖醇變甜之飲料者的血小板活性，並與那些飲用以葡萄糖變甜的飲料者們進行比較時。他們發現，於攝取木糖醇後，凝血能力顯著增加。

"Xylitol is associated with incident MACE (major adverse cardiovascular event) risk. Moreover, xylitol both enhanced platelet reactivity and thrombosis potential in vivo," the researchers concluded.

此些研究人員斷言：「木糖醇與MACE(多數不良的心血管事件)風險有所關聯。」此外，在活體內，木糖醇兼具增強血小板的反應性，及血栓形成的潛力。」

Although the platelet function of the participants returned to normal levels by the next day, the risk remains high for individuals who consistently consume foods containing xylitol.

雖然，參與者們的血小板功能，在隔天恢復到正常水平。不過，對持續消費含有木糖醇食物的個體而言，風險仍然居高。

"It's not hard to imagine that someone with diabetes could eat products containing xylitol every day, throughout the day. So, that risk would remain if you continued to ingest xylitol. The very people who are most at risk for clotting events like heart attack and stroke — people with diabetes — are the very same people who are most likely to be ingesting xylitol in high levels and further increasing that risk without knowing it," said Dr. Stanley Hazen, who led the study.

該項研究領導人，Stanley Hazen博士宣稱：「這不難想像，糖尿病患者可能每天、全天食用含有木糖醇的產品。因此，倘若繼續攝取木糖醇，那種風險會仍然存在。名符其實，最冒有諸如心臟病發作及中風風險等，血栓事件的人(糖尿病患者)，正是那些最有可能攝取高木糖醇含量，而在不知不覺中，進一步增加那風險的人。」

The researchers caution that the study does not show a causal effect but an association between the two. They recommend further studies to estimate the long-term cardiovascular impact.

此些研究人員警告，這項研究並非顯示一種，具有因果關係的結果，而是一種於這兩者之間的關係。

"This study again shows the immediate need for investigating sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners, especially as they continue to be recommended in combatting conditions like obesity or diabetes. It does not mean throw out your toothpaste if it has xylitol in it, but we should be aware that consumption of a product containing high levels could increase the risk of blood clot-related events," Dr. Hazen said in a news release.

在一則新聞稿中，Hazen博士宣稱：「該項研究再度顯示，調查研究糖醇及人工甜味劑，特別是在對抗肥胖或糖尿病等疾病上，當它們繼續被推薦時的迫切需要。這並不意味著，倘若牙膏中含有木糖醇，就得丟掉它。不過，我們應該意識到，消費具有高木糖醇含量的產品，可能增加血栓相關事件的風險。」

網址：https://www.medicaldaily.com/xylitol-sweetener-linked-increased-risk-heart-attacks-stroke-study-finds-471833

翻譯：許東榮