Xylitol 75 Packets, NOW Foods

Description of Xylitol 75 Packets, NOW Foods

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is naturally present in small amounts of various fruits and vegetables. The Finnish name for Xylitol is "koivusokeri", or birch sugar, a reference to the extraction of Xylitol from birch bark.  NOW® Pure Xylitol is derived from a corn source.  Considerable amounts of Xylitol is formed in the body every day as a result of normal metabolic processes.  Although it is classified as a carbohydrate, this sweet crystalline substance is slowly absorbed from the digestive tract and does not cause rapid rises in blood glucose.  In addition, the caloric impact of Xylitol is typically about 40% lower than other carbohydrates, making it a healthy addition to any diet.  Discovered simultaneously by French and German chemists in 1891, Xylitol has been safely used since the 1970's as an ingredient in gums and candies.  Dentists and Nutritionists alike encourage the use of Xylitol due to its unique and clinically proven dental benefits.  Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that cannot be utilized by bacteria in the mouth.  Xylitol...a safe alternative for your sweet tooth.

Xylitol Main Features:

• One packet has the equivalent sweetness of ½ teaspoon of sugar
• Similar look and taste to sugar
• 40% fewer calories than white sugar
• A sugar alcohol that is not a source of “impact carbs” that raise blood sugar
• Suitable for low-carb (carbohydrate-restricted) diets
• Low glycemic index sweetener
• Will not promote tooth decay
• A white to slightly off-white fine free-flowing crystalline powder with cooling sensation in mouth and free of any off-odors

Other Important Issues:

• No artificial sweeteners
• Pesticides: Absent (at ppm level)
• Derived from corn, but contains no significant amount of corn proteins

What’s the difference between Xylitol and regular table sugar?
Xylitol is technically not a sugar but rather a sugar alcohol (polyol). Unlike other well-known sugars like sucrose, fructose, sorbitol and dextrose that have 6 carbon atoms, Xylitol contains only 5 carbon atoms. Unlike sugar Xylitol is slowly absorbed, does not cause a rapid blood sugar increase and does not require an immediate insulin response from the body to be metabolized. Its unique characteristic accounts for the fact that this reduced calorie sweetener boasts 40% less caloric impact at 2.4 calories per gram versus 4 calories for sugar. Xylitol provides approximately the same sweetness as sugar with a slight cool sensation.

Are there any other health benefits that can attributed to Xylitol?
Many Clinical and field tests have proven that the consumption of Xylitol combined with proper oral hygiene significantly reduces new dental caries (cavities). It accomplishes this anti-cavity function via a couple of mechanisms. Food containing refined sugar is an energy source for bacteria like Streptococcus mutans that quickly multiply and produce harmful acids. When the pH of the bacterial laden saliva drops too far below a safe neutral level of 7, the calcium and phosphate elements of your tooth enamel start to dissolve and form small pores. This is the beginning of cavity formation. Because it doesn’t ferment, Xylitol is not a food source for these acid-producing bacteria. The bacteria count is reduced, the healthy neutral pH of the saliva is preserved and cavity formation is stopped in its tracks. Xylitol increases the flow of our naturally alkaline saliva that’s used to rinse the teeth of acids as well as helping to remineralize the enamel.

Serving Size: 1 Packet (2.04 g)

Suggested Use:  For best results, simply replace each 1/2 teaspoon of sugar with 1 convenient Xylitol packet to enjoy the reduced calorie sweetness that nature intended.

Free of: salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, preservatives, artifical colors or artificial flavors.

Disclaimer: The statements made, or products sold through this website, have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Actual results may vary significantly and are dependent on individuals. You should always consult with your physician before starting any health products or any health-related programs.