Xylitol

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is popular as a low-calorie sugar substitute found naturally in fruits, fibrous vegetables, and trees. It is mostly used in chewing gums and other processed food products as a dietary supplement and for oral care.

Claimed to be a non-cariogenic sweetener, Xylitol is a white crystalline carbohydrate also used as a sugar substitute for diabetic patients, it’s dietary uses cause a slight diarrhoea as a result of slow absorption from the intestine, a temporary condition but discomforting.

Xylitol is also known as wood sugar, hence promoted as a natural alternative sweetener derived from raspberries, birch, and plums. Doctors recommend Xylitol as a better alternative for diabetic patients, over sucrose, aspartame or natural sugar.

Xylitol is slowly becoming an important alternative to sugar. Some of its benefits include:

• Xylitol has 40% less calories than sugar.
• Xylitol is effective in the prevention of dental caries.
• It is a natural product found in various foods, especially fruits; even our body produces about 15gr of xylitol per day.
• It doesn't have any serious side effects and it is not toxic
• It may play a small but significant role in the prevention and management of diabetes
• A few studies have shown that it can help increase bone volume and mineral content in the body.
  

Side Effects and Warnings of Xylitol

As with most dietary supplements, an overdose of xylitol may cause serious side effects such as stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, oral erosive eczema or even acute renal failure. Infusion of xylitol may also cause renal oxalosis.

Before taking any dietary supplements, ensure that you have followed the usage instructions to the letter. You should also consult with your doctor before starting to use Xylitol to ensure that it will work for you and also to avoid any unnecessary side effects.

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