Xylitol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Xylitol |
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| IUPAC name | meso-Xylitol |
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(2R,3r,4S)-Pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol
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| Other names |
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| Identifiers | |
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| PubChem | |
| KEGG | C00379 |
| SMILES | OC[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)CO |
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InChI
InChI=1S/C5H12O5/c6-1-3(8)5(10)4(9)2-7/h3-10H,1-2H2/t3-,4+,5+
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | |
| Molar mass | 0 g mol-1 |
| Density | 1.52 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | |
| Boiling point | |
| 168 g/100 g | |
| Hazards | |
| NFPA 704 |
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| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) | |
Xylitol is a special kind of sugar alcohol. It's a chemical compound that looks like a white, crystal-like solid. You might know it as a sugar substitute because it tastes sweet but has fewer calories than regular sugar. It's also known by its European Union code, E967.
Xylitol gets its name from the Greek word "xylon," which means "wood." This is because it was first found in wood.
Many people use xylitol in things like toothpaste and chewing gum. Some believe it helps keep teeth healthy, but scientists are still studying how much it truly prevents dental cavities. It's generally considered safe for humans.
However, it's very important to know that xylitol can be dangerous for dogs and ferrets. Even a small amount can make them very sick.
Contents
History
How Xylitol Was Discovered
In September 1890, a German chemist named Emil Fischer and his helper, Rudolf Stahel, found a new substance in beech wood. They called it Xylit, using the Greek word for wood. The next year, a French chemist, M. G. Bertrand, also found xylitol in wheat and oat straw.
During World War II, there was a shortage of sugar. This made people look for other sweet things to use. Xylitol became very popular as a sugar substitute during this time. Scientists then learned more about it and how to make it in larger amounts.
What is Xylitol and How is it Made?
Different Kinds of Sugar Alcohols
Xylitol is one of three sugar alcohols that have five carbon atoms. The other two are arabitol and ribitol. These three are slightly different in how their atoms are arranged.
Where Xylitol Comes From Naturally
You can find small amounts of xylitol naturally in fruits like plums and strawberries. It's also in vegetables such as cauliflower and pumpkin. Our bodies, and the bodies of many animals, make tiny amounts of xylitol when we digest carbohydrates.
Making Xylitol for Products
To make xylitol for products, it usually starts with plant materials. These include hardwoods, softwoods, or leftover parts from corn, wheat, or rice. These materials contain a substance called xylan. Scientists use a process to turn xylan into xylose, and then change xylose into xylitol.
Another way to make xylitol is through a process called industrial fermentation. This is where tiny living things like bacteria or yeast help create it. However, making it from plant materials is usually cheaper. The US Department of Energy has said that making xylitol from leftover plant materials is a very important and growing industry.
How Xylitol is Used
Xylitol is a popular sugar substitute in many products. You can find it in drugs, dietary supplements, candies, toothpaste, and chewing gum. It's not usually something you'd use to sweeten your coffee at home.
It doesn't affect your blood sugar levels much. This is because your body processes it differently than regular sugar. The United States has approved xylitol as a safe food additive and sugar substitute.
Xylitol is also added to saltwater solutions used for nasal irrigation. Some people find it helps with symptoms of long-lasting sinusitis.
Interestingly, xylitol can even be put into fabrics. When you sweat, the moisture touches the xylitol in the fabric. This creates a cool feeling, which is great for sportswear!
Xylitol and Food
Taste, Calories, and Cooking
Our bodies absorb xylitol slower than regular sugar, called sucrose. Xylitol also has about 40% fewer calories than the same amount of sucrose.
Xylitol tastes just as sweet as regular sugar. It's even sweeter than other similar compounds like sorbitol and mannitol.
You can use xylitol in baking because it's stable when heated. However, it won't caramelize like sugar does. This means your baked goods won't get that golden-brown, toasty flavor from caramelization. Xylitol also lowers the freezing point of foods a lot. This means if you use it in ice cream, it might become too soft unless other ingredients are added.
Food Safety and Warnings
Eating normal amounts of xylitol is generally safe for most people. The European Food Safety Authority hasn't set a daily limit for how much xylitol you can have.
However, if you eat a lot of xylitol, it can cause some gastrointestinal discomfort. This might include gas or needing to go to the bathroom more often. Because of this, xylitol is not allowed in soft drinks in the European Union. Also, products that contain xylitol, like tabletop sweeteners, must have a warning. It says, "Excessive consumption may induce laxative effects," meaning too much can make you go to the bathroom more.
How Your Body Processes Xylitol
Xylitol provides about 2.4 kilocalories of food energy per gram. This is less than the 4.0 kilocalories per gram that regular sugar provides.
Your liver is the main organ that processes xylitol once it's absorbed. About half of the xylitol you eat gets absorbed by your intestines. The rest is broken down by gut bacteria in your stomach, which can sometimes cause gas. Any xylitol that isn't absorbed or broken down leaves your body, mostly in your feces.
Eating xylitol can also make your body release a hormone called motilin. This might be why eating a lot of it can make you go to the bathroom more often.
Health Benefits of Xylitol
For Your Teeth
Studies have looked at how xylitol helps with teeth. A review in 2015 suggested that toothpastes with xylitol and fluoride might help reduce tooth decay more than fluoride-only toothpastes. However, there wasn't enough proof to say if other xylitol products prevent tooth decay in kids or adults.
More recent studies suggest that xylitol can stop harmful bacteria, like Streptococcus, from growing in your mouth. This could help reduce dental cavities and gingivitis (gum inflammation). A 2022 study found that chewing gum with xylitol can decrease plaque. However, xylitol candies didn't show the same effect.
For Ear Infections
In 2011, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said there wasn't enough evidence to prove that xylitol gum could prevent middle-ear infections. These are also known as acute otitis media (AOM).
However, a 2016 review suggested that xylitol, either in chewing gum or a syrup, might help prevent AOM in healthy children. It could be an option to lower the risk of earaches by about 25%. This might be an alternative to using antibiotics for prevention. But, there is no definite proof that it can treat an earache once it has started.
For Blood Sugar and Weight
In 2011, EFSA approved a claim that foods and drinks with xylitol or similar sugar substitutes cause lower blood glucose and insulin responses. This is compared to foods and drinks that contain regular sugar.
Xylitol products are used by people who want to control their weight. This is because xylitol has 40% fewer calories than regular sugar. The glycemic index (GI) of xylitol is also very low, only 7% of the GI for glucose. This means it doesn't cause a quick spike in blood sugar.
Important Warnings About Xylitol
For Humans
If you eat a lot of xylitol or other sugar alcohols, it can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. This means you might experience gas or needing to go to the bathroom a lot. Some people might feel these effects even with smaller amounts. Xylitol can cause these effects more easily than some other sugar alcohols, but it's often better tolerated than mannitol and sorbitol.
Eating more xylitol can also increase certain substances in your urine. These are factors that can lead to kidney stones. However, xylitol has not been directly linked to kidney problems in humans.
For Pets (Especially Dogs!)
Xylitol is extremely poisonous to dogs. Even a small amount, like 100 milligrams per kilogram of a dog's body weight, can cause a dangerous drop in their blood sugar. This condition is called hypoglycemia. Symptoms can appear quickly, within 30 to 60 minutes after a dog eats xylitol.
The first sign is often vomiting. After that, dogs might become very tired or have trouble walking steadily. If a dog eats a larger amount, over 500 milligrams per kilogram, it can lead to liver failure. This is a very serious condition that can cause problems with blood clotting and can be deadly.
Xylitol is also poisonous to ferrets.
However, xylitol is safe for some other animals, like rhesus macaques, horses, and rats.
A 2018 study suggested that xylitol might be safe for cats in doses up to 1000 milligrams per kilogram. But this study only included 6 cats, so more research is needed to be sure. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has not issued any warnings about xylitol and cats. In fact, an article from the ASPCA in 2022 listed xylitol as non-toxic for cats.
See Also
- Aspartame
- Birch sap
- L-xylulose reductase
- Xylonic acid
