There are some people writing negative articles about xylitol. In a way I understand, because commercially it’s made in a lab, but so are most vitamins. The most important part is that it is something that exists in nature and not a synthetic chemical. Xylitol will not be good for everyone (as is the case for most things!) but it is a very beneficial tool for many as they start their journey to cut down on the amount of sugar they’re consuming.<\/p>\n
Xylitol is in small amounts in many fruits and vegetables (up to 10%). And while I wish we had a way for commercially extracting it from these fruits, it’s just not commercially viable… yet (come on creative food scientists!). But the reality is we NEED xylitol. We are in a health crisis of sugar consumption, eating 600-800% more sugar than our bodies can handle, and we NEED a solution.<\/p>\n
Yes, not eating anything with added sweetness is the best, but it’s not going to work for everyone. So, we have xylitol, which is the most researched, best tasting, easiest to use, sugar alternative out there. Right now, we simply need it. While not as deeply studied, nor as easy to use, we also recommend erythritol, stevia extract, and monk fruit, but xylitol is our favorite.<\/p>\n
We don’t use it as often anymore as we’ve adjusted our tastebuds to not crave extra sweetness as much, but as we initially made the decision to completely stop eating sugar. xylitol and xylitol sweetened dark chocolate was a lifeline for us for many years, and it worked very well for us.<\/p>\n
You may have read a multitude of opinions on xylitol from it being the best sugar alternative, low-carb athletes’ secret weapon and best friend to your teeth, to the opposite opinion of it being a dangerous chemical that can kill a dog.<\/p>\n
So, what is xylitol, why does it have a weird name, and what is the truth of this debated powder?<\/p>\n
Xylitol comes from the Greek ‘xyl’, which mean wood and then gets the ‘itol’ since it’s an alcohol sugar like sorbitol and erythritol. So, it’s wood sugar. Not surprisingly, a large portion of xylitol comes from birch and beech trees where it exists as xylitol in its simple sugar form xylose. In nature xylitol is found not just in wood, but a large array of foods we already eat on a daily basis. 10% of the sugar in a plum is xylitol. So yeah, it is natural.<\/p>\n
Xylitol is an alcohol sugar. Most alcohol sugars are laxative if too much is eaten. This is true of xylitol as well, but it is the second LEAST laxative, just behind erythritol. (For me, erythritol never worked for my gut whereas xylitol from birch worked well, maybe because erythritol is only made from corn). So, if you have had bad experiences with sorbitol and maltitol, xylitol is not at all the same. Still, if you have a sensitive stomach or IBS, proceed with caution or steer clear. What works for many is start small and increase slowly.<\/p>\n
Xylitol is used by some paleo authors and bloggers. That said, not everyone is for it. While xylitol is paleo in the sense that you could naturally eat it with no processing (for example in plums), it also could be argued that it’s not paleo since the commercial version is processed.<\/p>\n
Yes and no.<\/p>\n
It’s not so much xylitol itself, but xylitol by itself. A plum (other than the pit) isn’t dangerous to dogs and xylitol is up to 10% of the sweetness in a plum. The problem is that dogs have a strong insulin response to pure xylitol and xylitol doesn’t use insulin to be metabolized. Humans don’t have an insulin response to xylitol. Good news for diabetics, not for dogs. If a dog gets pure xylitol, it will release a large amount of insulin, effectively putting the dog into a diabetic coma.<\/p>\n
So, what should you do if your dog gets into your xylitol baked goods? There’s quite a mix of advice out there, not much of it good. I’ll leave it up to the vet to tell you what to do, but since many don’t know about xylitol, here are a few things to talk to them about: Since xylitol causes a dog’s blood sugar to drop, it seems logical to get glucose in as quickly as possible – anything sugary. Some vets put dogs on a glucose drip as soon as they come in. Remember, 10% of the sugar in a plum is xylitol, so it seems it’s not xylitol itself that is poisonous to dogs, but xylitol by itself, with no other sugars, that is the big problem.<\/p>\n
Right now, there are well over 1500 studies on xylitol. We have a list of studies from 1971 to 2006 but will only list a few of the more interesting ones from 2000-2006. Most of these studies are on tooth health, bone health, ear infections, or diabetes.<\/p>\n
2006<\/strong><\/p>\n Tolerability of oral xylitol solution in young children: Implications for otitis media prophylaxis. Vernacchio L, Vezina RM, Mitchell AA. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2007 Jan;71(1):89-94. Epub 2006 Nov 9.<\/p>\n Preventing dental disease. Huston JP. J Calif Dent Assoc. 2006 Jul;34(7):491-2.<\/p>\n The effect of xylitol on Streptococcus mutans in children. Massoth D, Massoth G, Massoth IR, Laflamme L, Shi W, Hu C, Gu F. J Calif Dent Assoc. 2006 Mar;34(3):231-4.<\/p>\n Xylitol, sweeteners, and dental caries. Ly KA, Milgrom P, Rothen M. Pediatr Dent. 2006 Mar-Apr;28(2):154-63; discussion 192-8. Review.<\/p>\n Mutans streptococci dose response to xylitol chewing gum. Milgrom P, Ly KA, Roberts MC, Rothen M, Mueller G, Yamaguchi DK. J Dent Res. 2006 Feb;85(2):177-81.<\/p>\n Field trial on caries prevention with xylitol candies among disabled school students. Honkala E, Honkala S, Shyama M, Al-Mutawa SA. Caries Res. 2006;40(6):508-13.<\/p>\n 2005<\/strong><\/p>\n The effect of adding calcium lactate to xylitol chewing gum on remineralization of enamel lesions. Suda R, Suzuki T, Takiguchi R, Egawa K, Sano T, Hasegawa K. Caries Res. 2006;40(1):43-6.<\/p>\n Effect of xylitol-containing chewing gums on interdental plaque-pH in habitual xylitol consumers. Lif Holgerson P, Stecksen-Blicks C, Sjostrom I, Twetman S. Acta Odontol Scand. 2005 Aug;63(4):233-8.<\/p>\n The polyols in pediatric dentistry: advantages of xylitol. Grillaud M, Bandon D, Nancy J, Delbos Y, Vaysse F. Arch Pediatr. 2005 Jul;12(7):1180-6. Review. French.<\/p>\n Complementary and alternative medicine in allergy, otitis media, and asthma. Blazek-O’Neill B. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2005 Jul;5(4):313-8. Review.<\/p>\n Evaluation of the independent and combined effects of xylitol and polydextrose consumed as a snack on hunger and energy intake over 10 d. King NA, Craig SA, Pepper T, Blundell JE. Br J Nutr. 2005 Jun;93(6):911-5.<\/p>\n Xylitol in the prevention of oral diseases. Kitchens DH. Spec Care Dentist. 2005 May-Jun;25(3):140-4. Review.<\/p>\n The effect of a simultaneous dietary administration of xylitol and ethanol on bone resorption. Mattila PT, Kangasmaa H, Knuuttila ML. Metabolism. 2005 Apr;54(4):548-51.<\/p>\n Effects of long-term dietary xylitol supplementation on collagen content and fluorescence of the skin in aged rats. Mattila PT, Pelkonen P, Knuuttila ML. Gerontology. 2005 May-Jun; 51(3): 166-9<\/p>\n 2004<\/strong><\/p>\n Functional Foods. Multifunctional sugar alternatives for improved health. Mitchell H. NutraCos. 2004; 3(1):22-26<\/p>\n Review of dietary recommendations for diabetes mellitus. Choudhary P. Diabetes research and clinical practise. 2004; 65(Suppl.): s9-s15<\/p>\n Army’s “look for xylitol first” program. Richter P, Chaffin J. Dent Assist. 2004 Mar-Apr; 73(2): 38-40<\/p>\n Professional development. Good oral health contributes to good total health: the role of the diabetes educator. Jahn CA. Diabetes Educator. 2004 Sep-Oct; 30(5): 754, 757-60 (24 ref)<\/p>\n Xylitol. Kizaki Z, Sawada T. Nippon-Rinsho. 2004 Nov; 62 Suppl 11: 640-3<\/p>\n Functional foods. Multifunctional sugar alternatives for improved health. Mitchell H. NutraCos. 2004; 3(1): 22-26<\/p>\n Home study course: xylitol: magic in the making. Huber J. Journal of the California Dental Hygienists Association. 2004 Fall; 20(1): 29-34 (30 ref)<\/p>\n 2003<\/strong><\/p>\n Beneficial effects of dietary xylitol on mineralised and collagenous tissues. Mattila PT, Knuuttila MLE, Svanberg MJ. Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research. 2003; 1(4): 225-234<\/p>\n Synergisitc inhibitory effect of cationic peptides and antimicrobial agents on the growth of oral streptococci. Kim SS, Kim Sunkyu, Kim-Eunshin, Hyub-Byungkuk, Kim kackKyun, Lee-ByeongJae. Caries-Research. 2003; 37(6): 425-430<\/p>\n Xylitol inhibition of acid production and growth of mutans streptococci in the presence of various dietary sugars under strictly anaerobic conditions. Kakuta H, Iwami Y, Mayanagi H, Takahashi N. Caries Research. 2003; 37(6): 404-409<\/p>\n Health potential of polyols as sugar replacers, with emphasis on low glycaemic properties. Livesey G. Nutrition Research Reviews. 2003; 16(2): 163-191<\/p>\n Development of dietary supplement for the growth and exercise performance improvement. Yoo-SeungWon, Jung-EunHee, Yang-DongSik, Lee-HongSeok, Yoon-Yoosik. Korean Journal of Community Nutrition. 2003; 8(3): 349-355<\/p>\n Xylitol and caries prevention\u00a0\u2013\u00a0is it a magic bullet? Maguire A, Rugg-Gunn AJ, British Dental Journal. 2003; 194(8): 429-436<\/p>\n The biochemistry of alternative medicine. Xylitol: a sweet for healthier teeth and more. Cronin JR. Alternative and Complementary Therapies. 2003 Jun; 9(3): 139-41 (28 ref)<\/p>\n Dental properties of xylitol prove superior to those of other polyols. Dental Abstracts. 2003 Nov-Dec; 48(6): 281<\/p>\n Beneficial effects of dietary xylitol on mineralized and collagenous tissues. Mattila PT, Knuuttila MLE, Svanberg MJ. Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research. 2003; 1(4): 225-234<\/p>\n Use of xylitol chewing gum in daycare centers: A follow-up study in Savonlinna, Finland. Kovari H, Pienihakkinen K, Alanen P. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2003; 61(6): 367-370<\/p>\n Health potential of polyols as sugar replacers, with emphasis on low glycaemic properties. Livesey G. Nutrition Research Reviews. 2003; 16(2): 163-191<\/p>\n A pilot study on antiplaque effects of mastic chewing gum in the oral cavity. Takahashi K, Fukeazawa M, Motohira H, Ochiai K, Nishikawa H, Miyata T. Journal of Periodontology. 2003; 74(4): 501-505<\/p>\n Xylitol inhibition of anaerobic aicd production by Streptococcus mutans at various pH levels. Miyasawa H, Iwami Y, Mayanagi H, Takahashi N. Oral Microbiol Immunol. 2003 Aug; 18(4): 215-9<\/p>\n Xylitol and dental caries: an overview for clinicians. Lynch H, Milogram P. J. Calif. Dent. Assoc. 2003 Mar; 31(3): 205-9<\/p>\n Remineralization effects of xylitol on demineralised enamel. Miake Y, Saeki Y, Takahashi M, Yanagisawa T. J. Electron. Microsc. (Tokyo). 2003; 52(5): 471-6<\/p>\n 2002<\/strong><\/p>\n Improved bone biomechanical properties in xylitol-fed aged rats. Mattile PT, Svanberg MJ, Jamsa T, Knuuttila MLE. Metabolism, Clinical and Experimental. 2002; 51 (1): 92-96<\/p>\n Xylitol: A sweetener with benefits for human health. Ines-Mussatto S, Roberto-Conceeicao I. Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2002; 38(4): 401-413<\/p>\n Sugar alcohols enhance calcium transport from rat small and large intestine epithelium in vitro. Mineo H, Hara H, Tomita F. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 2002; 47(6): 1326-1333<\/p>\n Xylitol for caries prevention. Peldyak J, Makinen KK. Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2002 Fall; 76(4): 276-85 (76 ref)<\/p>\n In vitro testing of xylitol as an anticariogenic agent. Sahni PS, Gillespie MJ, Botto RW, Otsuka AS. General Dentistry. 2002 Jul-Aug; 50(4): 340-3 (20 ref)<\/p>\n How does xylitol prevent caries? Studies in children and adults. Dental Abstracts. 2002 Nov-Dec; 47(6): 251<\/p>\n Carbohydrate and satiety. Feinle C, O’Donovan D, Horowitz M. Nutrition Reviews. 2002 Jun; 60(6): 155-69 (134 ref)<\/p>\n Sugar alcohols and diabetes: a review. Wolver TMS, Piekarz A, Hollands M, Younker K. Canadian Journal of Diabetes. 2002 Dec; 26(4): 356-62 (46 ref)<\/p>\n How xylitol containing products affect cariogenic bacteria. Roberts MC, Reidy CA, Coldwell SE, Nagahama S, Judge K, Lam M, Kaakko T, Castillo JL, Milgrom P. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2002 Apr; 133(4): 435-41, 491-4 (23 ref)<\/p>\n Inactivation of the Streptococcus mutans fxpC gene confers resistance to xylitol, a caries-preventative natural carbohydrate sweetener. Benchabane H, Lortie LA, Buckley ND, Trahan L, Frenette M. J Dent Res. 2002 Jun; 81(6): 380-6<\/p>\n Effect of xylitol chewing gum on salivary Streptococcus mutans in preschool children. Autio JT. ASDC J. Dent. Child. 2002 Jan-Apr; 69(1): 81-6, 13<\/p>\n Xylitol\u00a0\u2013\u00a0cavity-fighting sweetener a possible solution for osteoporosis. Dean W. Townsend-Lett. 2002 May; 226: 80-2<\/p>\n 2001<\/strong><\/p>\n Sderling E., Isokangas P., Pienihkkinen K., Tenovuo J., Alanen P. 2001. Influence of maternal xylitol consumption on mother -child transmission of mutans streptococci: 6-year follow-up. Caries research (Switzerland) 35:173-177.<\/p>\n Autio J.T., Courtsa F.J. 2001, Acceptance of the xylitol chewing gum regimen by prescholl children and teachers in a Head Start program: a pilot study. Pediatric dentistry 23: 71-74.<\/p>\n Tapiainen T., Kontiokari T., Sammalkivi L., Ikheimo L.,Koskela M., Uhari M. 2001. Effect of xylitol on growth of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the presencefructose and sorbitol. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy 45:66-169.<\/p>\n 2000<\/strong><\/p>\n Uhari M., Tapiainen T., Kontiokari T. 2000. Xylitol in preventing acute otitis media. Vaccine 19 Suppl 1, 144-147.<\/p>\n Isokangas P., Sderling E., Pienihkkinen K., Alanen P. 2000. Occurence of dental decay in children after maternal consumption of xylitol chewing gum, a follow-up from 0 to 5 years of age. Journal of dental research 79:885 -1889.<\/p>\n Knuuttila M.L., Kuoksa T.H., Svanberg M.J., Mattila P.T., Karjalainen K.M., Kolehmainen E. 2000. Effects of dietary xylitol on collagen content and glycosylation in healthy and diebetic rats. Life Sciences 67:283-290.<\/p>\n Hildebrand G.H., Sparks B.S. 2000. Maintaining mutans streptococci suppression with xylitol chewing gum. Journal of the American Dental Association 131:909-916.<\/p>\n Alanen P., Isokangas P., Gutman K. 2000. Xylitol candies in caries prevention: results of a field study in Estonian children. Community dentistry and oral epidemiology 28:218-224.<\/p>\n Sderling E., Isokangas p., Pienihkkinen K., Tenovuo J. 2000. Influence of maternal xylitol consumtion on acquisition of mutans streptococci by infants. Journal of dental research 79:882-887.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Finally, some real answers about xylitol…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":637,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[356,213,204,239],"aioseo_notices":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.worthitliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.worthitliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.worthitliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.worthitliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.worthitliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=210"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.worthitliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1726,"href":"https:\/\/www.worthitliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210\/revisions\/1726"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.worthitliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/637"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.worthitliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.worthitliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=210"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.worthitliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}