Xylitol
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A sugar alcohol found naturally in small amounts in fruits and vegetables and produced commercially from plant fibers such as corn cobs or birch wood. It has a sweetness similar to sucrose but fewer calories and a lower effect on blood sugar.
Why it’s used
Used as a sugar substitute and taken, often in chewing gum or lozenges, to support dental health by discouraging cavity-causing bacteria.
What the evidence is for
reduced dental caries with regular use of xylitol products.
What the evidence says
A Cochrane systematic review of xylitol-containing products, mostly chewing gum, found some evidence of reduced dental caries with regular use, though the certainty of the evidence was rated low to moderate due to variability in study design. Effects on other outcomes, such as ear infections in children, have also been studied with mixed results.
Context
Studies of dental benefit generally used xylitol delivered several times daily over months, most often through gum or lozenges rather than as a standalone powder, and higher intakes are a well-documented cause of digestive upset.
Educational information, not medical or safety advice. Consult a professional for allergies or medical concerns.