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Related Products: Erythritol, Sorbitol Crystalline.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a safe and palatable FDA-approved sugar substitute (also known as a polyol) that is beneficial in preventing cavities and plaque build-up. It is an odorless white crystalline powder with a pleasant, sweet taste.

Xylitol has been used as a sweetening agent in human food since its discovery in 1891 by a German chemist named Emil Fischer.

Xylitol is a naturally occurring 5-carbon sugar alcohol, a type of carbohydrate found in all fibrous vegetables. Foods, pharmaceuticals, natural health care, toothpastes, chewing gum and other oral health care products have contained xylitol for over half a century, with more than 35 countries worldwide using xylitol-containing products.

Xylitol is widely distributed in nature in small amounts. Some of the best sources are fruits, berries, mushrooms, lettuce, hardwoods and corncobs.

When derived and synthesized commercially from plants such as birch and other hardwood trees and fibrous vegetation, xylitol has the same sweetness and bulk as sucrose with one-third fewer calories and no unpleasant aftertaste.

Xylitol is naturally produced during normal metabolism. The body produces 5 to 10 grams daily from other food sources using established energy pathways.

Xylitol metabolism does not require insulin, and it has a low glycemic index (GI) (Wikipedia) of seven. Xylitol is absorbed very slowly without affecting insulin levels and blood sugar (glucose) levels. This is useful to diabetics or those with blood sugar abnormalities.

Health Benefits of Xylitol

Xylitol is approved for use in foods, pharmaceuticals and oral health products in more than 35 countries. It is used in foods such as chewing gum, gum drops and hard candy, and in pharmaceuticals and oral health products such as throat lozenges, cough syrups, children's chewable multivitamins, toothpastes and mouthwashes. In the United States, xylitol is approved as a direct food additive for use in foods for special dietary uses.

It has gained increasing acceptance as an alternate sweetener because of its role in reducing the development of dental cavities. It produces a pleasant cooling sensation in the mouth, and stimulates an increase in salivary flow, which can help protect teeth from decay.

Unlike conventional sugars that can cause cavities, xylitol has dental health benefits. The main bacterium responsible for dental caries is Streptococcus mutans. This bacterium ferments sugar in the formation of plaque, and digests other sugars (such as glucose, fructose and lactose) to make lactic acid. The combination of plaque and acid eats through the tooth enamel and leads to tooth decay. Streptococcus mutans cannot ferment xylitol. Additionally, xylitol causes the environment to become more alkaline, further inhibiting growth of bactaeria.

The FDA has approved the use of a "does not promote tooth decay" health claim in labeling for sugar-free foods that contain xylitol or other polyols.

Xylitol is beneficial in diabetes and weight management. Since Xylitol is slowly absorbed, the rise in blood glucose and insulin response associated with the ingestion of glucose is significantly reduced.

Xylitol has a reduced caloric value. There are only 2.4 calories per gram in xylitol compared to 4.0 calories per gram of table sugar (sucrose)

Purity and Concentration of Xylitol

This food grade xylitol powder contains no fillers, taste additives or anti-caking agents.

Suggested Use of Xylitol

Use as desired as a sugar substitute that does not promote tooth decay. As a dieatary supplement, use is typically about 3 grams (3/4 tsp to 1 tsp). You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for Xylitol here.

Potential Side Effects of Xylitol

While xylitol is considered safe, excess consumption can have mild laxative effects. Simply reduce intake amounts if this occurs.

Xylitol is very dangerous to dogs because it triggers a sudden release of insulin, which causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia), essentially throwing the dog's body into a form of shock. The dog's blood sugar can drop 50 points or more in the span of just 30 minutes, causing shock and liver failure shortly thereafter.

Bioavailability, Mixing and Solubility of Xylitol

This product dissolves easily in hot beverages, but somewhat slowly in cold liquids. It tastes very much like sugar (with the same sweetness as sucrose), with no bitterness or aftertaste. Great for use in baking and everyday food preparation, xylitol powder can be substituted one-for-one with sugar, although it has a drying characteristic so the recipe may need adjustment of its liquid levels.

How should I store it?

You will receive a resealable bag of this powder. Store in a cool, dry area protected from light. Reseal after each use.

References & Further Research

Wikipedia: Xylitol

Scientific Study: Cariologic aspects of xylitol and its use in chewing gum: A review

The Journal of The American Dental Association: The use of sorbitol- and xylitol-sweetened chewing gum in caries control

NOTE: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The information at Purebulk.com is NOT a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use any dietary supplement as a replacement for conventional care, or as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates herbal and other dietary supplements differently than conventional medicines. The standards for supplements are found in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), a federal law that defines dietary supplements and sets product-label­ing standards and health claim limits. To learn more about DSHEA, visit the FDA Web site.