Xylitol

Xylitol is a type of carbohydrate called a sugar alcohol, or polyol. Xylitol occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables. It is also commercially produced from birch bark and corn cob for use as a Sweetener. Xylitol is a common ingredient in sugar-free chewing gum. Xylitol safety is confirmed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization. Xylitol is known to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria (mutans streptococci) in plaque and saliva.

Xylitol Nutrition Facts:

Calories per gram = 2.4 Glycemic index (GI) = 12 Sweetness, relative to sucrose = 100% Net carbs = 25%

Xylitol Physical properties:

1.A white crystalline powder without odor; it can be used to make “brown sugar”  2.The same sweet taste as sucrose, strong cooling effect  3.Highly hygroscopic – attracts moisture when relative humidity exceeds about 85%  4.Solubility in water at 25° C   64 g/100 g solution  5.Melting point 100 ° C  6.Does not decompose at 160° C  7.Caramelizes only at temperature near the boiling point 216° C  and does not take part in the Maillard browning reaction

Xylitol SPECIFICATION ITEM SPECIFICATION Identification Meets the requirement Appearance White crystals Assay(Dry basis) 98.5% min Other polyols 1.5% max Loss on drying 0.2% max Residue on ignition 0.02% max Reducing sugars 0.5% max Heavy Metals 2.5ppm max Arsenic 0.5ppm max Nickel 1ppm max Lead 0.5ppm max Sulfate 50ppm max Chloride 50ppm max Melting point 92~96 PH in aqueous solution 5.0~7.0 Total plate count 50cfu/g max Coliform Negative Salmonella Negative Yeast & Mold 10cfu/g max

Possible Xylitol Health Benefits

1.Tooth decay.    The bacteria in the tooth plaque cannot convert xylitol into acids, so xylitol does not promote dental caries. Xylitol appears to be more effective than Sorbitol in preventing caries. Xylitol may promote remineralization of initial caries lesions,  but it does not likely reverse established cavities. The bacteria in the tooth plaque cannot convert xylitol into acids, so xylitol does not promote dental caries. Xylitol appears to be more effective than sorbitol in preventing caries. Xylitol may promote remineralization of initial caries lesions,  but it does not likely reverse established cavities.

2.Dry mouth.   In some, but not all, studies, xylitol chewing gum, toothpaste, tablets, mouth rinse or gels stimulated saliva flow and improved dry mouth

3.Diabetes mellitus.    Xylitol has a low glycemic index (GI = 12), which means it does not raise the blood glucose levels significantly, so it may be a suitable sweetener for diabetics. Xylitol has a low glycemic index (GI = 12), which means it does not raise the blood glucose levels significantly, so it may be a suitable sweetener for diabetics.

3.Infection of the middle ear in children.    According to 2 systematic reviews of studies, regular xylitol consumption in the form of chewing gum, lozenge or syrup can decrease the risk of the infection of the middle ear (otitis media) in children.

4.Chronic sinusitis.  In one small controlled clinical trial, nasal irrigation with xylitol solution resulted in greater improvement of chronic sinusitis symptoms than irrigation with saline. In one small controlled clinical trial, nasal irrigation with xylitol solution resulted in greater improvement of chronic sinusitis symptoms than irrigation with saline.

Xylitol in doses up to 50-70 g/day for healthy adults or up to 20 g/day for healthy children is probably well tolerated