Xylitol is recommended by the American Dental Association to prevent
cavities, stop harmful bacterial growth and inhibit plaque buildup. Additionally, Xylitol is safe for everyone,
including diabetics, hypoglycemics, and anyone concerned about sugar intake or artificial sweeteners. What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a non-cariogenic five-carbon sugar alcohol found in nature
and the human body. Sources include fruits, berries, mushrooms,
lettuce, hardwoods and corn on the cob. Our bodies produce up to 15
grams of Xylitol from other food sources using established energy
pathways. In practice, Xylitol is manufactured by extracting the xylan
from a source -- such as a hardwood or corn cob -- and reacting it with
water to produce the wood sugar xylose. Xylose is then hydrogenated to
produce Xylitol which is a polyol, or sugar alcohol.
How Does Xylitol Differ from Other Sweeteners?
Xylitol differs chemically from other sweeteners such as sorbitol,
fructose and glucose because the Xylitol molecule has only five, rather
than six, carbon atoms. Six carbon molecules are easily used by oral
bacteria, but a five carbon molecule is not. Xylitol interferes with
the metabolism of S. mutans, creating a condition where the bacteria
cannot live. As a result, Xylitol has been shown to have an
anti-cariogenic effect on teeth.
Is Xylitol Safe?
Xylitol has a long history of safety as a therapeutic sweetener. The
Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), a scientific advisory
group to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) have both approved Xylitol’s safety for
human consumption.
