About Xylitol
What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a naturally occurring carbohydrate. It is found in fibrous vegetables and fruit. It also occurs naturally in our bodies – in fact, an average size adult manufactures up to 15 grams of xylitol daily during normal metabolism. Pure xylitol is a white crystalline substance that looks and tastes like sugar.
Xylitol has been used as a sweetener in foods since the 1960's.
Xylitol is only slowly absorbed and partially utilized; therefore a reduced calorie claim is allowed: 2.4 calories per gram or 40% less than other carbohydrates. In addition, the body does not require insulin to metabolize xylitol, which has made it a widely used sweetener for the diabetic diet in some countries. In the U.S., xylitol is approved as a food additive in unlimited quantity for foods with special dietary purposes. Learn More
Xylitol is widely recognized as
a cavity fighter.
Over 25 years of testing in widely different conditions confirm that xylitol use reduces tooth decay rates both in high-risk groups (high caries prevalence, poor nutrition, and poor oral hygiene) and in low-risk groups (low caries incidence using all current prevention recommendations). Sugarfree chewing gums and candies made with xylitol as the principal sweetener have already received official endorsements from six national dental associations. Learn More
Xylitol has also been shown
to provide nasal relief.
The addition of precise amounts of xylitol to saline nasal spray has been shown to make it more effective in moisturizing and clearing the nasal passages. Xylitol helps prevent bacteria from adhering and helps the body’s natural cleansing processes to clear away these harmful bacteria, reducing the risk of infection. In addition, research has shown other medical benefits of xylitol due to its effect on many types of bacteria. Learn More
Where Xylitol Comes From
Xylitol is found widely in nature. In addition to a variety of fruits and vegetables, Xylitol is also commonly extracted from birch bark. It is important to remember, however, that Xylitol is a specific molecule. The Xylitol extracted from one source is exactly the same as Xylitol from any other source – just as the sugar (sucrose) extracted from beets is exactly the same as the sugar we get from sugar cane.
Benefits of Xylitol
- Delicious sweet taste... with no unpleasant aftertaste
- Helps reduce the development of dental caries
- Reduces plaque formation
- Increases salivary flow to aid in the repair of damaged tooth enamel
- Provides one third fewer calories than sugar
- May be useful as a sugar alternative for people with diabetes (on the advice of their healthcare providers)
Strive For 5
Use Xylitol toothpaste, mouthwash, and nasal spray upon waking up
After breakfast use Xylitol gum, mints or candy
After lunch use Xylitol gum, mints or candy
After dinner use Xylitol gum, mints or candy
Use Xylitol toothpaste, mouthwash, and nasal spray upon going to bed
- Michael T. Murray Beat Diabetes Naturally: The Best Foods, Herbs, Supplements, and Lifestyle Strategies to Optimize Your Diabetes Care