Ask a Dietitian

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar substitute found in berries, plums, corn, oats, mushrooms, lettuce, trees and some hardwood trees.  It is neither a sugar nor an alcohol it is a sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols such as xylitol, mannitol and sorbitol are carbohydrates with a chemical structure similar to sugar and alcohol, but they don’t contain ethanol as alcoholic beverages do.   Xylitol tastes like sugar, looks like sugar, cooks like sugar and has the exact same sweetness as sugar.  It can be used in place of sugar 1:1 in recipes, has no fillers and has no aftertaste.  Xylitol has only 2.4 calories/gram whereas sugar has 4 calories/gram which makes xylitol 40% lower in calories.  Xylitol also contains 75% fewer available carbohydrates than sugar.  That’s because only 25% of the xylitol consumed is absorbed and sent via the hepatic vein to the liver where it is converted into glucose.  The rest passes through the small intestine to the lower intestine where it is metabolized by good bacteria into short chain fatty acids, returned to the liver and oxidized for energy.   This gives xylitol a low Glycemic Index and makes it a good choice for diabetics and those on a low carbohydrate diet.

How is it manufactured and used?

Commercially, most xylitol is extracted from corn fiber, birch trees, hardwood trees and other vegetable material.  Xyla brand is a North American company and is unique in that its’ Xylitol is derived exclusively from 100% North American hardwood, birch, maple and poplar.  Most other Xylitol is imported from China and made primarily from corn.  Xyla is also wheat free, non GMO, gluten free and vegan.  Xylan is extracted from hardwood using a natural steam and ion exchange process and then crystalized into xylitol.  It has been approved for use in oral care products, pharmaceuticals and as a food additive. Products that may contain xylitol include sugar-free gum, candies, breath mints, baked goods, cough syrup and lozenges, children’s chewable vitamins, mouthwash,  toothpaste, jam, maple syrup, ketchup, BBQ sauce and Teriyaki sauce, to list a few.

What are the benefits of using xylitol?

Dental Health

With respect to oral health, research has shown that xylitol helps reduce the formation of plaque, inhibits dental cavities by up to 80%, and stimulates the production of saliva. It also reduces demineralization of tooth enamel.   Xylitol is non-fermentable by oral bacteria and therefore does not lead to acid production in the mouth like sugar.

Diabetes Management

Xylitol has been shown in clinical studies to be slowly metabolized.  It has a Glycemic Index of 7 and therefore does not cause a rapid spike in blood sugars like sugar. Therefore, xylitol is a good sugar substitute for diabetics and is approved by the American diabetes association.

Bone Health

Xylitol promotes intestinal calcium absorption in the gut and is currently being studied for its’ potential in reversing bone loss and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

Anti-microbial

Xylitol has anti-microbial properties that inhibit the growth of the bacteria streptococcus pneumonia which is a major cause of inner ear infections.  Two recent studies of over 1000 children found that those children who chewed xylitol gum had 40% fewer middle ear infections, significantly reducing the need for antibiotics.

What is the recommended dose of xylitol?

It is recommended to get 6g of xylitol per day.  More than this may cause GI upset.

How safe is xylitol?

Xylitol is safe for use in humans. Xylitol, like most sugar alcohols, may have a mild laxative effect when eaten in large amounts, when first introduced to a diet. This occurs because, until the digestive system adapts, xylitol may not be completely digested in the intestines. This causes mild diarrhea and/or mild intestinal discomfort.

However, xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure or even death in dogs.  When dogs eat something containing xylitol, the xylitol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in a potent release of insulin from the pancreas and results in a rapid decrease in the level of blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

For more information and store locators visit www.xylitolcanada.com