Monday, April 19, 2010 Survivor asks

Q: Have anyone heard or tried of Xylitol sweetner?

I just copied this page because I wanted to know if anyone used or heard of this sugar sweetner?

Xylitol is naturally occurring 5-carbon sugar alcohol, a type of carbohydrate found in all fibrous vegetables. Xylitol is made naturally within the body, but as a sugar substitute, birch wood or corncobs are the commercial sources. Foods, pharmaceuticals, natural health care, toothpastes, chewing gum and other oral health care products have contained xylitol since the 1960s, with more than 35 countries worldwide using xylitol-containing products.

Over 1500 published studies have shown xylitol to have health benefits and an unsurpassed safety record. Professor Kauko K. Mäkinen, a leading expert on xylitol, provides in-depth information on the History, Safety, and Dental Properties of Xylitol.

The main beneficial properties of xylitol as a sweetener are:

It equals the sweetness of sugar
It has 40 fewer calories than sugar
Its metabolism does not require insulin
It has a low glycaemic index (GI) of seven.

Unlike artificial sweeteners, xylitol has numerous health benefits. When consumed, it is absorbed very slowly without having any effect on insulin levels and therefore blood sugar (glucose) levels. This is highly beneficial in diabetics or those with blood sugar abnormalities.

Xylitol: The Sugar Substitute with Dental Benefits

Although being a sweetener, xylitol has dental health benefits. Unlike other sugar alcohols with a 6-carbon structure xylitol does not cause dental caries (cavities). The main bacterium that causes dental caries is Streptococcus mutans. This bacterium uses sugar alcohols, sugars and other carbohydrates for food through fermentation. On doing so, it produces acids that eat through the enamel on the teeth, which leads to decay. Streptococcus mutans cannot ferment xylitol. Additionally, xylitol causes the environment to become more alkaline inhibiting the bacterium's growth.

I am looking for better sweetner for my health. Please comment, anyone.

- A
- A
- A

Answers (1)

HypnoBirthing Mom

8/24/10 7:37pm

I am so sorry no one has answered your question (from April), until now.

I have been using Xylitol for over 6 years.

I learned about it working for a Natural Dentist in Boulder, CO.

It is the only healthy substance, that I know of, that prevents cavities (flouride might prevent cavities HOWEVER it is a TOXIN - that is a topic for a different post).

Xylitol is safe for diabetics (has a low glycemic index), AND it tastes great!

I took Xylitol, religiously, when I was pregnant with my daughter. Our dentist had read medical journals from Europe that indicated that pregnant women who ingested Xylitol gave birth to children who had fewer cavities, fewer ear infections, and reduced chances for asthma. I am here to tell you, my little lady, who is almost 5, has lived up to those claims. No cavities, no ear infections, no asthma. I can also count on one hand the number of times she has been REALLY sick (with a temperature).

I HIGHLY recommend and endorse Xylitol for EVERYBODY.

The ONLY drawback that I know of is the MINOR "side effect" you may develop as you start using Xylitol. What we lovingly refer to this as the "xyli-toots" and the "xyli-squirts" (flatulence/gas and mild diarrhea). The key is to START SLOWLY. Our American culture thinks if a little bit is good, 20 pounds of it is even better! PLEASE NO! Start with a mint or two A DAY. Then slowly work your way up from there. Add a teaspoon or two to your tea (or decaf coffee). If you start with a batch of brownies or cookies, and you've never ever had Xylitol before, you will more than likely end up with the "xyli-toots" and/or "xyli-squirts". However, this is your body's way of telling you, "THANK YOU!", because you are literally changing the bacterial flora of your entire digestive/intestinal system. Changing it for the better, I might add.

Do an internet search on Xylitol and you will find tons of information.

To Your Health!

Special Note: If you are an animal lover, please do not feed xylitol to your animals. Animal digestive systems rely heavily on their bacteria/flora to process their food. We humans chew our food much more thoroughly than most dogs/cats, or at least we SHOULD be chewing our food more thoroughly than most animals. : )

Q: Have anyone heard or tried of Xylitol sweetner?

Related Questions

Ask a Question