Xylitol - a safe, natural sweetener
Xylitol is a natural-occurring sugar alcohol that is used as a sugar substitute.
Also called wood sugar or birch sugar, it is found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables and is roughly as sweet as sucrose – but with two-thirds amount of calories. It is found in – and can be extracted from – vegetable, fruits and plants such as corn fiber, birch, raspberries, plums and corn.
This sweetener was first derived from Birch trees in Finland in the 19th century – hence its popular name, birch sugar. It was first popularised in Europe as a safe sweetener for diabetics that would not impact insulin levels.
In the late 20th century, this sweetener in granular form began to be mass produced in California, USA, using beet plants and sold under the brand name "Ultimate Sweetener". Today, most world supplies are believed to come from China where they are produced from maize.
One teaspoon contains 9.6 calories, versus 15 calories in one teaspoon of sugar. It also contains zero net effective carbohydrates whereas sugar contains 4 grams per teaspoon.
It has virtually no aftertaste, and is advertised as "safe for diabetics and individuals with hyperglycemia". This is because sugar-alcohols have less impact on a person's blood sugar than regular sugars.
One popular use of xylitol is in chewing gum – especially in Finland and Europe, but also in China, Japan and South Korea.
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DENTAL CARE: Xylitol does not encourage tooth decay and is considered a "toothfriendly" sugar. It may actually actively aid in repairing minor cavities caused by dental caries and reduces plaque. Studies suggest that – because it has some chemical properties similar to sucrose, it attracts and then "starves" harmful micro-organisms that cause tooth cavity.
CANDIDA YEAST: It affects yeast in the same way and so may be helpful for people, including children with autism, who have candida yeast infection. In contrast, other sugars like galactose, glucose and sucrose may increase the proliferation of yeast.
DIABETES: With about 40 percent few calories, this is a low-calorie alternative to regular sugar. It is absorbed more slowly than suga and thus does not cause blood sugar levels to rise quickly.
EAR AND UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS: Studies have shown that chewing gum made with this sweetener can help prevent ear infections. The act of chewing and swallowing assists with the disposal of earwax and clearing the middle ear, whilst the presence of xylitol prevents the growth of bacteria in the eustachian tubes which connect the nose and ear.
Side effects
At high doses, Xylitol, like most sugar alcohols, can have a mild laxative effect.
Apart from this, it has no known toxicity, and people have consumed as much as 400 grams daily for long periods with no apparent ill effects.
DOGS: However, this sweetener can cause serious – possibly life-threatening – problems for dogs. They may experience insulin-mediated low blood sugar hypoglycemia, possibly resulting in loss of coordination, depression, collapse and seizures as soon as 30 minutes after ingestion. In some cases, it can also cause death in dogs.
Click here to read about formula ONE, a multi-nutritional supplement for children that is naturally sweetened with xylitol.