Knowing Xylitol

Xylitol is an organic compound with the formula (CHOH) 3 (CH2OH

is a sugar alcohol used as a natural sweetener sugar substitute have many advantages but is it safe for our consumption more I discuss here.

1. Sweeteners are safe for people with diabetes.

Xylitol (ksylitoli Finland) was first derived from birch trees in Finland in the 20th century and was first popularized in Europe as a safe sweetener for diabetics that does not affect insulin levels.

2. Good for calorie diet.

One teaspoon (5 gm) of xylitol contains 9.6 calories, compared with one teaspoon of sugar, which has 15 calories.

3. Good for teeth

Xylitol is a "tooth friendly" non-fermentable sugar alcohols., Xylitol has shown health benefits in the prevention of dental caries, showed superior performance other polyols (poly-alcohol). Early studies from Finland in 1970 found that a sucrose gum group had 2.92 decayed, missing, or filled (DMF) teeth compared with 1.04 in the group chewing xylitol gum. [12] In another study, researchers had mothers give xylitol gum for their children 3 months after birth until they are 2 years old. The researchers found that children in the xylitol group had "70% reduction in the cavity (DMF) ..

4. Preventing and treating osteoporosis.

A group of Finnish researchers have found that dietary xylitol prevents weakening of bones in laboratory rats, and actually improve bone density, ear and upper respiratory track infection.

5. Benefits for pregnant or lactating women.

Xylitol is not only safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, but studies show that regular use significantly reduces the possibility of transmitting the bacteria Streptococcus mutans, which is responsible for tooth decay, from mother to child during the first two years of life as much as 80%.

Of all the good there are also shortcomings that could not hurt us to our cautious view.

This is still in the research:

1. If consuming a lot (65 grams / day) will cause the diarrhea was caused Xylitol (sugar alcohol) does not dissolve completely in the digestive tract.

2. In consuming too many (more than 100 milligrams of the xylitol consumed per kilogram of body weight) can cause lowering blood sugar levels,  can cause loss of coordination, depression, collapse and seizures.

3. At very high doses (greater than 500-1000 mg / kg bwt), can cause liver failure which can be fatal