Xylitol

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that can effectively replace sugar and other sweeteners. It is mainly produced from birch tree pulp and corn husks. Xylitol made from birch is usually more expensive but a lot of people consider it to be superior to corn xylitol. Other potential sources (at least in theory) are fruits like plums. Finally, even the human body produces a few grams of xylitol each day.

Chemically, xylitol is a polyol, and unlike most sweeteners it looks and tastes almost exactly like sugar (please note I said almost) but it has about 1/3 fewer calories, 40% to be exact.

How much weight can someone lose by replacing sugar with xylitol?

Obviously there isn't a clear answer but I will try to give an example. Let's say you consume 3 teaspoons of sugar per day which provide 60KCal per day. By replacing it with xylitol you can save 24Kcal per day or about 9000 Kcal per year. Cutting down your energy intake by 9000Kcal can lead to a weight loss of 1.5-2kgr (this isn't a completely accurate number, and I have rounded up the numbers a bit).

Some of you if you read food labels you might have noticed that some of the chewing gums that are supposed to improve dental health contain xylitol. This is not a coincidence. Xylitol has a beneficial effect on dental health. The main reason are:

• The bacteria that cause tooth decay cannot metabolize xylitol.
• It helps maintain an alkaline environment in the mouth.
• It helps repair damaged tooth enamel.
• It can control the growth of harmful bacteria like S. Mutans and makes it harder for them to build plaque.

Xylitol has been approved by the FDA almost 45 years ago and the only side effects it has are mild gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea and gas. However, some people might be allergic to it (some people claim that allergies are caused mainly by corn xylitol)

Xylitol and Dogs

Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that the consumption of xylitol can be dangerous for dogs. It can cause severe hypoglycemia and very serious liver damages that can even lead to death if not treated in time.

One of the most important parts of diabetes management includes blood glucose management. Sugar and other carbohydrates cause a rapid elevation of blood glucose levels. Xylitol on the other hand, has a low glycaemic effect (it has a glycaemic index of 7) and doesn't require insulin for its metabolism. Because of this it is considered a good sugar alternative for diabetic patients.