Xylitol is a sugar substitute not only low in calories but may also
help prevent dental caries. It is a natural sweetener found in
various berries, corn, birch and other plant sources. Xylitol - a sugar alcohol - has minimal
effects on blood sugar and insulin release. As a rule, it is a
healthier sweetener than sucrose or fructose. There is some evidence that xylitol may reduce tooth decay. As for baking,
stevia is preferable
to xylitol.
Researchers in Finland have been working with xylitol for the last three decades. In Russia
it has been used as a
sweetener for diabetics. Virtually unknown in Japan a few years ago, xylitol sales have soared to over 400 million dollars yearly.
My favorite no calorie sweetener is stevia, the clear liquid form. You will also find other forms of stevia, such as
powder.
Young children given syrup containing the naturally occurring
sweetener xylitol are less likely to develop decay in their baby teeth.
Xylitol gum and dental cavity
prevention, jury is still out
Xylitol containing chewing gum has been claimed to reduce the growth of mutans
streptococci and dental plaque which are associated with dental caries.
Gummy bears containing the sugar substitute called xylitol is
claimed to reduce
cavity-causing bacteria on young children's teeth. Research has shown that the
sugar substitute reduces levels of mutans streptococci bacteria, which are known
to cause cavities. Xylitol differs from others sugars, like table sugar and
glucose, which mutans streptococci bacteria use for energy. Mutans streptococci
bacteria "take in" xylitol, but can not break it down to use for fuel.
However, others claim this evidence is of low quality and is insufficient to determine whether any other xylitol-containing products can prevent caries in infants, older children or adults.
Effect of xylitol on an in vitro model of oral biofilm.
Oral Health Prev Dent. 2008. UFR d'Odontologie, Université Victor Ségalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux cedex, France.
The aim of the present study was to examine whether xylitol, at different
concentrations, inhibits the formation of an experimental model of oral biofilm.
Biofilms of six bacterial species (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus,
Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Actinomyces viscosus, Porphyromonas gingivalis and
Fusobacterium nucleatum) were prepared on hydroxyapatite discs. Xylitol was
tested at two concentrations, 1% and 3%. Xylitol has a clear inhibitory effect
on the formation of the experimental biofilms. This study shows that xylitol is
not only efficient in inhibiting the acid production of cariogenic bacteria, but
also in preventing the formation of a multispecies biofilm; it confirms the
relevance of the use of this polyol for the prevention of oral diseases caused
by dental plaque.
Virus infection
PLoS One. Jan 2 2014. Protective effect of dietary xylitol on influenza a
virus infection. Xylitol has been used as a substitute for sugar to prevent
cavity-causing bacteria, and most studies have focused on its benefits in dental
care. Meanwhile, the constituents of red ginseng (RG) are known to be effective
in ameliorating the symptoms of influenza virus infection when they are
administered orally for 14 days. In this study, we investigated the effect of
dietary xylitol on influenza A virus infection (H1N1). We designed regimens
containing various fractions of RG (RGs: whole extract, water soluble fraction,
saponin and polysaccharide) and xylitol, and combination of both. Mice received
the various combinations orally for 5 days prior to lethal influenza A virus
infection. Almost all the mice died post challenge when xylitol or RGs were
administered separately. Survival was markedly enhanced when xylitol was
administered along with RGs, pointing to a synergistic effect. The effect of
xylitol plus RG fractions increased with increasing dose of xylitol. Moreover,
dietary xylitol along with the RG water soluble fraction significantly reduced
lung virus titers after infection. Therefore, we suggest that dietary xylitol is
effective in ameliorating influenza-induced symptoms when it is administered
with RG fractions, and this protective effect of xylitol should be considered in
relation to other diseases.
Xylitol side effects - danger, caution, safety
No major side effects have been reported with reasonable amounts of
xylitol sweetener use. Excess consumption may lead to mild diarrhea. It's best to
use as little xylitol as one needs to sweeten food.
Calciuria, oxaluria and phosphaturia after ingestion of
glucose, xylitol and sorbitol in two population groups with different stone-risk
profiles.
Urol Res. 2009. Rodgers A, Bungane N, Allie-Hamdulay S, Lewandowski
S. Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape
Town, South Africa.
The effects of glucose, sorbitol and xylitol ingestion on calciuria, oxaluria
and phosphaturia in healthy black and white males on a standardized diet were
investigated. After ingestion, they collected urine hourly for 3 h. Glucose
decreased phosphaturia in blacks. Sorbitol decreased phosphaturia in both groups
and increased oxaluria in whites. Xylitol increased oxaluria in blacks.
Decreases in phosphaturia are attributed to penetration by phosphate into cells
leading to decreases in phosphatemia and the renal filtered load. We suggest
that this mechanism is more sensitive in blacks. We speculate that the increase
in oxaluria after sorbitol ingestion occurs via its conversion to glyoxylate and
that this pathway may be blocked in blacks. For the increase in oxaluria after
xylitol ingestion, it is hypothesized that ketohexokinase and aldolase may be
more active in blacks. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, a urinary
effect due to sorbitol ingestion and an ethnic dependency of these and other
effects.
Toxicity in dogs
Xylitol consumption is considered harmless to people but is known to cause
life-threatening toxicoses in dogs. Dogs that ingest doses of >0.1 g/kg are at
risk for developing hypoglycemia, while dogs that ingest >0.5 g/kg may develop
acute liver failure. Compend Contin Educ Vet. 2010. Xylitol toxicity in dogs.
Xylitol product and recipes
Books are available that have dishes with a
xylitol recipe.
What is xylitol?
Pure 100% pharmaceutical-grade xylitol is a white, crystalline
carbohydrate that is classified as a sugar. It is found naturally in fibrous
vegetables and fruits. It is
produced by the human body during normal metabolism. It is a naturally
occurring form of the 5-carbon sugar, xylose. The main
sources of commercially produced xylitol are corncobs and wood scraps from the
lumber industry.
Summary of Xylitol benefits
Xylitol is a sweet-tasting sugar substitute that has been approved for
use in more than 40 countries. Consumption of xylitol is associated with a
significant reduction in tooth decay, resulting in fewer cavities. This sugar has
been shown in early studies to contribute to increased bone density, weight loss, stabilization
of blood sugar and lowering of insulin levels.
Xylitol Research review
The effect of xylitol chewing gum on mutans streptococci in saliva and dental
plaque.
Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2004.
Dental caries are one of the most common infectious diseases occurred in Thai
children. The chewing of xylitol, sorbitol, and even sugar gum has been
suggested to reduce caries rates. The aim of the present investigation was to
evaluate the effect of xylitol chewing gum on mutans streptococci (MS) in saliva
and dental plaque. Ninety-one children, aged 10-12 years, with more than 1 x
10(5) MS per milliliter of saliva were included in this study. They were divided
into three groups balanced according to their MS counts at baseline: one control
group (no supervised gum use), and two xylitol groups (supervised 55% and 100%
xylitol gum use). Whole saliva and pooled plaque samples were obtained after 90
school days. When comparing the MS counts between the groups, those chewing 100%
and 55% xylitol gum showed significant reductions, but a dose response effect
was not demonstrated. Chewing 100% xylitol gum caused significant reductions on
salivary MS scores which was little different from the 55% xylitol group. The
results suggest that the use of xylitol chewing gum can reduce the levels of
mutans streptococci in plaque and saliva.
Effects of a long-term dietary xylitol supplementation on collagen content
and fluorescence of the skin in aged rats.
Gerontology. 2005.
Dietary xylitol has been shown to increase the amounts of newly synthesized
collagen, and to decrease fluorescence of the collagenase-soluble fraction in
the skin of both healthy and diabetic rats. As in diabetic rats, a decreased
rate of collagen synthesis and increased collagen fluorescence has also been
detected in the skin of aged rats. We hypothesize that dietary xylitol
supplementation may protect against these changes during aging. OBJECTIVE: The
purpose of the present study was to investigate whether a long-term dietary
supplementation can protect against the decrease in the amounts of newly
synthesized collagen, and against the increase in fluorescence in the
collagenase-soluble fraction in the skin of aged rats. Twenty-four male
Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study. After weaning, the rats were divided
into 2 groups of 12 animals. The rats in the control group were fed a basal RM1
diet, while the rats in the experimental group were fed the same diet
supplemented with 10% xylitol. After 20 months, the rats were killed and pieces
of skin from their dorsal areas were excised. The thickness of the samples was
measured with a micrometer screw gauge. The collagen contents of rat skin were
measured as hydroxyproline, and glycosylation as fluorescent intensity of
collagen. Statistical significances of the differences between the groups were
determined using the unpaired t test. No general side effects were
detected in the rats during the experimental period. The skin of the xylitol-fed
rats was a little thicker than that of the control rats. The hydroxyproline
content of the acid-soluble fraction was significantly greater in the xylitol
group as compared to the controls. However, there were no significant
differences in the hydroxyproline content of the collagenase-soluble fraction
between the groups. The fluorescence of the collagenase-soluble fraction was
significantly smaller in the xylitol-fed aged rats than in the aged rats fed the
basal diet. The results of this study indicate that xylitol caused
an increase in the amount of newly synthesized collagen and a decrease in
collagen fluorescence in the skin of aged rats.
Use of xylitol chewing gum in daycare centers: a follow-up study in
Savonlinna, Finland.
Acta Odontol Scand. 2003.
The use of toothbrushes in daycare centers has been questioned because of the
possibility of infections spreading through unsupervised brushing. Several field
studies have demonstrated a caries-preventive effect of xylitol chewing gum--a
measure that could be a practical way of taking care of oral hygiene during
daycare hours without brushing. A community trial was conducted in Savonlinna,
Finland to test the caries-preventive effect of xylitol chewing gum at these
centers. A total of 921 children were recruited. The daycare centers were
randomly distributed to xylitol chewing gum or brushing groups. An additional
270 children who had not been in daycare centers were later organized into an
external reference group in order to check whether the children in the daycare
centers were representative of all children in Savonlinna. The results revealed
a statistically significant but clinically small difference between the xylitol
and brushing groups in favor of the xylitol group. Many families used the
daycare services irregularly. Changes in workplace, periods of unemployment, the
birth of other children in the family, etc., affect the likelihood of families
keeping their children in a daycare center for many years. Despite the fact that
conditions were not optimal, oral health status in the xylitol group was a
little bit better than in the control group. The use of xylitol can therefore be
recommended, especially if the personnel do not have the possibility to
supervise the brushing.
questions
Q. Under alcohol sugars on your site you mention the possibility of diabetics
having issues with these sugars. Is this just with Sorbitol, because the
information I've gathered on Xylitol seems to show that it may be helpful for
diabetics. Perhaps you could go into a little more detail about Xylitol. It's up
there with stevia for me.
A. Xylitol appears to be a good sugar and hopefully its popularity
will increase.
Love your site and have recommended your products and
info to a number of counselling clients. I have one query however, that has me
stumped. Xylitol, the natural sugar alternative. I have done a lot of research
and it has been used for over 40 years in Europe without any unwanted side
effects. I have been using it for a couple of years, without a problem. However,
a friend has refused to use it recently as she said that ants invaded her
kitchen and refused to eat it. I cannot find out why they don't like it. She
thinks that if ants won't eat it, it must be bad for you. I know that ants love
Splenda and eat it by the bowl full and then go off to die, so it's a conundrum.
Can you give me any clues as to why ants won't eat it or opinions on the use of
Xylitol.
There is no direct relationship between what insects and
animals eat and what is appropriate for humans. Some insects may consume
substances that work well for them but could be toxic to humans and vice versa.
Cats don't like cucumbers but that does not mean cucumbers are not healthy. Some
animals chew leaves of certain plants that are toxic to human yet they do fine.
Therefore, one should not make a direct correlation between what is appropriate
for an insect or animal and relate that to humans.
Products
Xlear, Spry Gems, Mints, Berry, 40 Count, 25 g