In right this moment’s publication, we’re breaking down the examine that claimed xylitol is dangerous in your coronary heart, why the science doesn’t maintain up, and what many years of actual analysis say as an alternative.
And pregnant mothers—don’t miss the tip on the finish. It’s some of the highly effective (and simple) methods to guard your child’s future oral well being.
Since that examine got here out final yr, I’ve acquired tons of of questions like:
“Isn’t xylitol dangerous in your coronary heart?”
“Ought to I cease utilizing xylitol toothpaste?”
No shock persons are nonetheless confused—when weak science will get paired with sensational headlines, it creates loads of worry.
Right here’s why that examine was deeply flawed, poorly designed, and irresponsibly reported:
1. The examine didn’t exclude individuals with current coronary heart illness—in reality, 46% of members already had it. That’s a large crimson flag, as a result of it blurs the road between correlation and causation. Was xylitol the problem… or only a byproduct of poor metabolic well being?
2. In mice, the researchers used extraordinarily excessive doses of xylitol—equal to over 30 grams in a single sitting for a human. That’s far past typical use and would seemingly trigger diarrhea and GI upset earlier than anything. The examine bypassed regular digestion too, utilizing direct injection, which doesn’t mirror how people devour xylitol.
3. The examine additionally didn’t management for sugar consumption—a serious oversight, since dietary sugar is a widely known driver of heart problems. With out accounting for that, how can we all know whether or not xylitol was truly the issue—or only a bystander?
4. The examine explicitly states that its findings don’t apply to xylitol utilized in oral care—however you wouldn’t know that from the headlines. Media protection failed to say this important element, leaving individuals afraid of the very ingredient that protects their enamel.
This wasn’t a randomized managed trial—the gold customary in medical analysis. It was an observational examine, with so many uncontrolled variables that its conclusions are, frankly, unreliable.
When this examine first got here out, I took it significantly. The claims have been alarming, and I wished to know whether or not there was something new I wanted to rethink. However as soon as I dug into the precise information, it was clear the science didn’t maintain up. The examine design was weak, the conclusions have been overstated, and it ignored many years of stable analysis exhibiting xylitol’s clear advantages.
What proof do we’ve on xylitol?
1. Xylitol has been studied for the reason that Nineteen Seventies, significantly in Scandinavia, the place it was first evaluated in public oral well being packages.
2. Landmark trials just like the Turku Sugar Research (Finland, Nineteen Seventies) have been among the many first to point out that changing sucrose with xylitol dramatically diminished caries incidence. It was one of many first giant, long-term human research to point out that xylitol may scale back cavities even higher than simply chopping again on sugar.
3. A 2015 Cochrane Evaluation analyzed information from 10 research and located constant proof that xylitol-containing merchandise diminished cavity-causing micro organism and dental caries threat—particularly in kids.
4. The European Meals Security Authority (EFSA) permits xylitol to hold the well being declare: “Chewing gum sweetened with xylitol helps scale back the danger of tooth decay.”
5. For the pregnant mothers studying, this one is unimaginable: Xylitol has been included in maternal oral well being protocols to scale back early colonization of cariogenic micro organism in infants.
Xylitol is likely one of the most well-studied elements in oral well being. Not solely is xylitol secure—it’s efficient. Analysis constantly reveals it reduces Streptococcus mutans, lowers oral acidity, and helps remineralization by stimulating saliva move. That’s why it’s in Fygg, the toothpaste I formulated together with my co-founders.
And, it’s price asking—why would an ingredient with a robust security document and many years of analysis behind it all of a sudden come underneath fireplace? Particularly one which replaces sugar, improves metabolic well being, and isn’t straightforward to revenue from at scale 🤨
Have you ever had somebody inform you to cease utilizing xylitol? Ahead them this electronic mail. And should you’ve seen enhancements since switching to xylitol toothpaste or mints, hit reply—I’d love to listen to your story.
Mark
P.S. Talking of unimaginable, science-based methods to enhance your oral well being…this article is sponsored by my favourite magnesium complement which I like to recommend to 99% of my sufferers. In case you’re searching for a extremely absorbable, full-spectrum choice to assist sleep, temper, and muscle restoration, THIS is my go-to.
P.P.S. I do know your inbox is full, and it means lots that you just’ve made all of it the best way to the top of this electronic mail. I hear from tons of of you every week—and whereas I can’t reply to each message, I do learn every one. Your questions, your tales, your suggestions—they form the work I do. So should you’ve ever hit reply, thanks. And if right this moment’s message helped you’re feeling a bit extra knowledgeable or empowered, that’s precisely why I do that.