Xylitol - A sugar substitute that’s actually good for you!

Xylitol

A sugar substitute that’s actually good for you!

By Kristi Hawkes

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Confession time… I love sweets and baked goodies.  

Okay, not that juicy of a confession I know, but when you’re trying to achieve a healthier weight 

and you’re a dental professional, it does kind of seem like a big, dark secret.  

But, guess what?!?  I think I’ve found a way that I can have my cake, and eat it too.  

Ever heard of xylitol before? Well don’t fear...

I’m here to tell you just what you need to know about this magical sugar substitute.

First of all, there’s no magic involved, it’s actually chemistry.  

Fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, raspberries, cauliflower and lettuce, 

are the first components of xylitol production⁶. 

D-xylose is extracted from plant fibers and then undergoes a process in the lab, 

called chemical hydrogenation, to become xylitol.  

Xylitol looks and tastes a lot like sugar; it can be substituted 1 for 1 for sugar in any recipe, 

or add it to your coffee or tea to sweeten it up without all the guilt⁵.  

I think I’m going to do some Christmas baking with xylitol and try and pass it off as a salad. 

It comes from fruit and veggies, so it’s got to count! Right?

Xylitol is classified as a sugar alcohol, and its chemical formula is C₅H₁₂O₅.  

Xylitol and other sugar alcohols are commonly found in sugar-free, dentist-approved, 

chewing gum².  Why?  Because unlike sugar, xylitol does not cause cavities, 

in fact it even helps to prevent them!  Your mouth is full of bacteria, 

and some strains of bacteria produce acids that can cause cavities to form. 

Scientists have found that xylitol can actually reduce the amount of 

some acid-producing, cavity-causing bacteria³.  

Therefore:

Bacteria + Sugar = more acid

BUT

Bacteria + Xylitol = less acid and less bacteria

Xylitol is a safer option for diabetics who need to limit or avoid sugar intake.  

It’s also lower in calories than sugar⁴.  This is why xylitol is often the sweetener that is used in chewable and gummy vitamins⁷.  Xylitol seems almost too good to be true, doesn’t it? 

Well here it is...  Although xylitol is safe for humans, it’s been making its way into the news recently because it is highly toxic to dogs¹.  (See video here) 

Make sure to keep your canine furry friends far away from xylitol and any products containing it.  

Give xylitol a chance, unlike many sugar substitutes, it doesn’t have a bad aftertaste⁵.  

It might even save you from having to get a big needle the next time you go to the dentist.

Photo: Injection by Conor Lawless Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/conchur/1573136674

(Image edited using Office Word by Kristi Hawkes)

References

¹Becker, K. (2011). Xylitol: This Toxic Sugar Substitute Could Be in Your Purse, Pocket or Pantry. Retrieved from http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/03/24/dangers-of-xylitol-for-pet-dogs.aspx

²Burt, B. A. (2006). The use of sorbitol- and xylitol-sweetened chewing gum in caries control. Journal of the American Dental Association, 13, 190-196.

³Ҫaglar, E., Kavaloglu, S. C., Kuscu, O. O., Sandalli, N., Holgerson, P. L., & Twetman, S. (2007). Effect of chewing gums containing xylitol or probiotic bacteria on salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. Clinical Oral Investigations, 11, 425-429.

⁴LookChem.com (2008). Xylitol. Retrieved from http://www.lookchem.com/Xylitol/

⁵Mercola, J. (2013). Sugar Substitutes—What’s Safe and What’s Not. Retrieved from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/07/sugar-substitutes.aspx

⁶National Center for Biotechnology Information (n.d.). Xylitol; CID=6912. PubChem Compound Database.  Retrieved from http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6912

⁷Wolters Kluwer Health (2009). Xylitol. Retrieved from http://www.drugs.com/npp/xylitol.html

* Photo of woman enjoying a xylitol-sweetened mint taken by Kristi Hawkes