What Are the Benefits of Xylitol Sweetener?

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol, similar to mannitol and sorbitol. It is used as a sweetener and healthful additive in a vast array of food products, oral health products and even pharmaceuticals throughout the world. It is especially popular in gum and mints, and is also used frequently in toothpaste such as Tom's of Maine.

Natural

Xylitol is a natural substance that is found in foods such as fruits and vegetables. It is produced for commercial purposes from plants including birch and other trees, and is approved for safety by the U.S Food and Drug Administration, the European Union's Scientific Committee for Food and the World Health Organization's Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives.

Taste and Versatility

One popular benefit of xylitol is that it does not have an unpleasant aftertaste, as do many other sugar substitutes. It is considered equal in sweetness to sugar, and is used in almost all of the same ways, with only two thirds of the calories of sugar. It can be used for sweetening drinks and in baking.

Prevents Cavities

Cavities are typically caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus mutans, which feeds on sugar in the mouth and produces plaque on the teeth. Xylitol inhibits growth of S. mutans, and over time the population of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth decreases. This results in less plaque and less damage to the surfaces of the teeth. And because S. mutans is transmitted from pregnant mother to child, using xylitol when pregnant can even benefit newborns who then develop fewer cavities as children, according to the California Dental Association. The FDA has approved the claim that xylitol "does not promote tooth decay," and a study in Finland showed a reduction in cavity formation for children chewing xylitol gum.

Safe for Diabetics

Xylitol is absorbed slowly as compared to sugar, and thus has a less drastic effect on blood glucose levels and on the insulin response. Diabetics should check with their health care providers, but many are able to use xylitol as a subsitute for sugar.

Widely Available

Xylitol is approved for use in over 35 countries. It can be found in chewing gum, hard candy, chewable vitamins, mouthwashes and throat lozenges. In the U.S., it is also available as a sweetener by itself, and can be purchased at health stores and even some conventional grocery stores.

Disclaimer

Xylitol can be hazardous for dogs and should be kept away from them. The information in this article should not be considered medical advice. Always check with your physician before taking any products. Always consult your doctor before you start, stop or change anything that has been previously prescribed. Certain herbs and holistic remedies are unsuitable to take if you are pregnant or nursing and must always be cleared by your doctor before use.