Ever heard of xylitol? It’s a common low-calorie sugar substitute used in candy, gums, and baked goods, and oral products like toothpaste because it’s suggested by other studies to prevent tooth decay. But you might not be aware you’re ingesting it because as long as manufacturers don’t make any specific claims about the product, they currently aren’t required to put the sweetener on the label. They could instead say “naturally sweetened.” But while sugar substitutes like xylitol and erythritol are naturally produced in small amounts by the body, the amount found in processed foods greatly exceeds that by as much as 1,000 times. And Cleveland Clinic researchers have found all those extra chemicals encourage the blood to form clots. I'm an avid Diet Coke drinker, but we’d probably all be better off sticking to (a small amount of) the real stuff.
— Laura
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Consuming products sweetened with the sugar substitute xylitol increases the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes, says a new study by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic. (Gretchen Kroen, cleveland.com) |
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Xylitol: Consuming products sweetened with the sugar substitute xylitol increases the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes, says a new study by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic. Gretchen Cuda Kroen reports the results released Thursday provide further evidence of the dangers of sugar substitutes on the heart and vascular system. Capital budget: State lawmakers say they’re poised to move on a long-stalled capital budget next week that will include money for some big-ticket items for Cleveland, including millions for a downtown land bridge and a proposed women’s soccer stadium. Jeremy Pelzer and Jake Zuckerman report the roughly $2.5 billion capital spending plan, which legislators say they hope to pass by the end of this month, will include funding for hundreds of construction projects, renovations, equipment purchases and grants around the state. Bridge program: A new state program being piloted in Cuyahoga County aims to break the poverty cycle and help residents transition off public assistance. The new Benefit Bridge Program will support those who see a decrease in government assistance after getting a new job or a raise in wages so they can grow wealth and transition off public assistance for good, reports Kaitlin Durbin. Today in Ohio: The city of Cleveland announced Wednesday that it will soon start deposing Brook Park residents as part of a 7-year-old lawsuit, stemming from a decades-old dispute between the two cities. But what really motivated the city to send out a news release about this case now? On Today in Ohio, we’re talking about the possibility that beneath it all is the simmering tension over the future home of Browns Stadium. |
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Trump VP pick: After repeatedly naming U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio as a potential vice presidential prospect, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has begun to officially vet Vance and several other prospective running mates, reports Sabrina Eaton. EPA: U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson, a Zanesville Republican, led 138 of his GOP colleagues, including all of Ohio’s Republican House of Representatives members, in introducing a resolution to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan 2.0. Sabrina Eaton reports that a statement from Balderson said the EPA’s plan “was created by and for extreme activists, ignoring the real-world harm it will cause to our electric grid and American energy security.” Marijuana dispensaries: Ohio is estimated to have 254 dispensaries by mid-2025, according to new equity research by a marijuana financial analyst, putting it in the middle of the density pack among states where recreational marijuana is sold. Pablo Zuniac of Zuniac and Associates looked at the potential growth for recreational marijuana in the state, Laura Hancock reports. Lotto terminals: The Ohio Lottery has chosen a new vendor for a 10-year, $50 million contract overseeing more than 10,000 slotlike gambling machines around the state for the first time since the terminals went live more than a decade ago. Jake Zuckerman reports since Gov. John Kasich opened the door to Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) in Ohio’s seven racinos in 2011, Greece-based Intralot has overseen the system of as many as 11,500 machines statewide. New state park: Twenty-five years before Ohio became a state, members of the Shawnee tribe founded a village near modern-day Xenia, where they built a council house and traded with settlers. Susan Glaser reports the site of that village, abandoned in 1780, is the centerpiece of Ohio’s newest state park, which opens to the public today. |
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West Side Market: One year after the big fight between Mayor Justin Bibb and Cleveland City Council over the city’s tab for major repairs and upgrades at the West Side Market, City Council has relented. Courtney Astolfi reports council this week signed off on $10 million to help revitalize the market. That’s on top of another $10 million approved by council last year, bringing the city’s total contribution to $20 million – exactly what Bibb had originally sought in early 2023, before council slashed the figure by half. Tremont apartments: Plans for the tentatively named College & Professor Apartments are scheduled to go before the Cleveland Planning Commission today for final approval. The four-story apartment building is to be located on 0.55 acres at the corner of Professor Street and College Avenue, Megan Sims reports. Delinquent: Shakorie has been out of prison for 20 years. He’s married with four children, all of whom have graduated from college. He’s running one of the county’s largest minority-owned businesses, which was named the 2024 Northern Ohio Small Business of the year. John Tucker and Kaitlin Durbin report in their Delinquent series on Shakorie’s turnaround. Kindland: We're all kinder, gentler and better when we refill our well. This week, Pete Chakerian talks to Casey Martin of Seed Yoga. The Bay Village instructor and mom of two discusses yoga, increasing accessibility and its value as a tool for physical and mental health. Czech garden: Located on East Boulevard, the Czech Cultural Garden was dedicated in 1935 after six years of planning, designing and fundraising. The physical centerpiece of the garden is a statue of Jan Amos Komenský, considered the “father” of modern education, writes Zachary Smith. But the spiritual centerpiece is near the back of the garden - a monumental wall with a frieze depicting the arrival of Czech people in Bohemia and later in America. Summer camp: It’s not every day you get to fulfill a childhood dream. As part of our Summer Camp for Grown-Ups series, Julie Washington headed to Meadowbrook Farm in Chagrin Falls, which offers group and individual horseback riding classes for beginners up to advanced riders. An introductory lesson is $55. |
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COVID cases: The state reports the number of new COVID-19 cases in Ohio bumped over the 1,000-case mark for the first time since early May, rising from 890 last week to 1,126 this week, reports Julie Washington. Lawsuit filed: A Canton company that raised more than $200 million to buy and consolidate online brands is now being accused of fraud by one of the companies that it acquired. Sean McDonnell reports Society Brands is being sued in Stark County Common Pleas Court by Trina Felber, a Fairlawn woman who agreed to sell her company Primal Life Organics. Strawberry season: If you appreciate the intense flavors of ripe, local strawberries, hurry to the farmers market. The season started early and will end early this year, reports Paris Wolfe. |
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Giant Eagle stabbing: Videos obtained by cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer offer details of the moments prior to the attack on a mother and son in the parking lot of a Giant Eagle in North Olmsted. The recordings show that the suspect, Bionca Ellis, quickly targeted Margot Wood and her son, Julian, once in the store, Molly Walsh reports. City employee attack: An arrest warrant has been issued for a city of Cleveland employee accused of using a weight to attack a co-worker in a city building, causing the victim to lose consciousness, reports John Tucker. Monald Childs, listed in city records as a Cleveland waste collector, was charged Wednesday in Cleveland Municipal Court with felonious assault involving an attack that occurred last week. Metroparks shooting: A Maple Heights man who prosecutors say lured his 72-year-old victim into Strongsville’s Mill Stream Run Reservation and shot him in the head has been indicted on murder charges, reports Cory Shaffer. Child porn: A former IT employee for Summa Health was sentenced Thursday to more than 14 years in prison for downloading thousands of videos of child pornography, including recordings that prosecutors said were of “sadistic” child rape, reports Adam Ferrise. Police search: Cleveland police have identified a suspect’s car after investigating a group of drivers who lit a fire on Euclid Avenue and careened recklessly under the chandelier on Playhouse Square. They believe the car is a four-door Dodge Charger with a possible primer-colored driver’s side door and front fender, reports Olivia Mitchell. Nightclub shooting: A federal task force arrested a pair of Cleveland men Thursday in a shooting that killed two and left two injured outside a nightclub last month. Olivia Mitchell reports a third man was apprehended earlier in the week. |
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Car ads: Looking back at four decades’ worth of car ads in the Plain Dealer, you can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia seeing the different brands, models and dealerships of eras gone by. But you’ll probably miss the low prices the most, writes Joey Morona. Foreigner: Kelly Hansen has been the lead singer of the legendary classic-rock band Foreigner for more than two decades. But Malcolm X Abram reports Hansen will be watching from the audience on Oct. 19 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse when the band is finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Cute cats: June is National Adopt a Cat Month and to celebrate, we are organizing a “Cutest Adopted Cat Contest.” Are you the adoptive fur-parent of the most photogenic, adorable cat in all of Northeast Ohio? Cheez-It Tostada: Taco Bell is at again. This time, the geniuses who turned Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch Doritos into a taco shell somehow got a hold of Professor Wayne Szalinski’s growth ray from “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid” and pointed it at a tasty Cheez-It cracker. Joey Morona tried it so you don’t have to. Lakeside: Lakeside Chautauqua near Marblehead, on a mile-long stretch of the Lake Erie coast, celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023. Susan Glaser reveals what’s in store for season 151, including 10,000 Maniacs. Barbecue sauce: Sweet Pork Wilson’s specializes in Cleveland-style smoked barbecue at its restaurant on the corner of Madison Avenue and West 117th Street in Cleveland. Alex Darus reports the restaurant introduced a bottled version of its signature barbecue sauce aimed at being “America’s Favorite.” Things to do: With summer now in full swing, it’s time to head outside for something fun to do. Mike Rose lists more than 20 things to do, including the traditional Parade the Circle, Bon Jovi and lots more. |
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Northeast Ohio road projects: Can drivers expect new delays? Read more Motorcyclist dies from injuries in crash in Akron Read more Beatles tribute band to perform free concert June 25 at Orange amphitheater Read more In response to lawsuit, Orange to let voters decide rezoning issue on Lander Road Read more Medina County District Library program provides books on the go Read more Owners of Avon Lake Power Plant respond to environmental allegations Read more |
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