Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?

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Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« on: April 18, 2006, 10:46:50 PM » by EyesOfTheBeholder

I have read it is "all natural" from corn...

another website Smartsweet.com says they make from hardwood trees??? Huh

Has anyone ever used it? I noticed it is Trident chewing gum...

At home we use granulated fructose to sweeten everything. I also use stevia (in certain things), we use raw honey, pure maple syrup.

I have a real sweet tooth and want to break my sugar habit... Lips Sealed

any suggestions?

Thanks
Mary

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2006, 10:58:46 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: EyesOfTheBeholder on April 18, 2006, 10:46:50 PM

I have a real sweet tooth and want to break my sugar habit... Lips Sealed

any suggestions?

Check these threads.

Sugar Withdrawals
Stevia Recipes

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #2 on: April 18, 2006, 11:07:58 PM » by healthybratt

Re: Xylitol

Wikipedia has some info.

Quote

Xylitol, also called wood sugar or birch sugar, is a five-carbon sugar alcohol that is used as a sugar substitute. It can be extracted from birch, raspberries, plums, and corn and is primarily produced in China.

Pharmacy and Health Guide

Quote

Xylitol occurs naturally in straw, corncobs, fruit, vegetables, cereals, mushrooms, and some seaweeds. For use in food manufacturing, xylitol is extracted from birch wood chips. Xylitol may be found in many foods labeled as "sugar-free," including hard candies, cookies, chewing gums, soft drinks, and throat lozenges.

xylitol.org

Quote

Xylitol was discovered almost simultaneously by German and French chemists way back in the late 19th century. In the Soviet Union it has been used for decades as a sweetener for diabetics, and in Germany in solutions for intravenous feeding. In China, xylitol has been used for various medical purposes.

The dental significance of xylitol was "discovered" in Finland in the early 70's, when scientists at Turku University showed it could prevent caries.

Xylitol-Jenkki, the first xylitol chewing gum in the world, was launched by the Finnish company Leaf in 1975.

I found no side effects or harmful interactions; however, I've never used it and only heard of it for the first time just a few days ago.

Roll Eyes

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2006, 12:09:34 AM » by Gabriel Anast

We have a Xylitol article in the works... and from what we have found, Xylitol is really great.

Any other input would be great, though.

--gabe

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2006, 01:37:48 PM » by StephTallent

Like Gabe said we have an in depth article on Xylitol coming in about a week or so! Cheesy

To answer the question about the difference between the Xylitol that comes from corn and the type that comes from hardwoods...From what I've read the Xylitol made from hardwoods is more expensive but the preferred kind. Most Xylitol that you find here in the States has been made from corn because it is much cheaper. The only concern with that is it is usually made with genetically engineered corn. For super health conscious people genetically modified stuff is a no no.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2006, 11:57:40 AM » by petrimama

Can't add anything about xylitol (I agree that it's good), but I definitely watch out for aspertame in chewing gum. It's in almost all of them, including sugar gum. I stick to Big Red, but I think Chicklets are safe, too. I actually switched from Trident & Wrigley's for this reason. Please note that I looked into this nearly 2 years ago and things might have changed, but as of last week Big Red was still aspertame free. ~Layla

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2006, 12:23:17 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: petrimama on April 26, 2006, 11:57:40 AM

A lot of gums are switching to Splenda (sucralose) and I don't think it's any better than aspartame. My personal experience went from headache to bellyache. Not much of an improvement if you ask me. I think I'll just try to find me some tree sap to chew Wink

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2006, 05:41:28 PM » by Honey Bee

I've been reading up on xylitol ever since Beeyoutiful Girl mentioned its benefits to teeth. I don't have dental insurance and my teeth are not good Sad

.

Can anyone tell me where they get cheap xylitol gum. Or how else do you take it?

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2006, 08:42:07 AM » by kayinpa

I know that my "local" (40 minutes away) mennonite health food store sells it next to the demarara (raw) sugar & the sucanat. At the time that I saw it (I now order from a food coop), I didnt know anything about it, but some research that I have done (only a couple of websites), you can use it as a sugar substitute. As for where you can get the gum....I just read that some of the Triden gums contain it, not the Trident white though....so next time you go through the checkout at the grocery, look at the ingredients on the trident gum!

I know Toms of Maine uses Xylitol in some of there toothpastes also.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #9 on: August 29, 2006, 01:22:26 PM » by diaperswyper

My question is this. Is chewing gum bad for you? Can it cause cavities? I'm not talking about bubble gum, i'm talking about Orbit, wrigley's and gum like that. I've gotten a lot of cavities in the last couple yrs. and i'm starting to wonder if my gum chewing habit is the culprit. Any one know?

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #10 on: August 29, 2006, 01:37:05 PM » by Mrs. Dugger

I've been using xylitol for the past month and it seems to work fine as a sugar substitute in the few things I actually use sugar in (like hubby's coffee). I actually rub my daughter's teeth with it before she goes to bed after she has her bottle of milk. Don't know for sure if that's doing any good but we'll see in a few years I guess

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #11 on: August 29, 2006, 06:00:38 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: diaperswyper on August 29, 2006, 01:22:26 PM

Xylitol is reputed to be good for teeth. Sugar, obviously is not. Aspartame and sucralose - I have no idea. I know they are unhealthy for you but not sure if they will affect your teeth.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #12 on: August 29, 2006, 08:17:19 PM » by boysmama

I know several people who like xylitol. But for myself Tongue

,well let's just say it distresses my GI tract! Grin

My BIL and SIL recently visited us and reported the same problem- after drinking 2 gallons of lemonade sweetened with xylitol between the two of them in about 9 hours. They use it in smaller amounts with no problems though.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #13 on: August 30, 2006, 07:17:10 AM » by dara

Hey Gabe- where's that in depth article? (hehe)

I would like to know more as well. I've been using it in our tea, because I want to do all I can for our teeth, but my DH says we really do need to read up on it more...

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #14 on: October 04, 2006, 09:53:35 AM » by Kati*did

Quote from: Gabriel Anast on April 22, 2006, 12:09:34 AM

We have a Xylitol article in the works... and from what we have found, Xylitol is really great.

Any other input would be great, though.

--gabe

I'm curious too. Just saw this thread and would love to read your article.

Katie

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #15 on: October 04, 2006, 10:26:17 AM » by homeschooling madre

I use Xylitol to brush my daughter's teeth with. I also use it with the WaterPik for teeth and with the nasal rinse attachment. It's really great for your sinus health - it's the main ingredient in the Xlear brand nasal "stuff"! (If anyone has a homemade recipe that replicates the Xlear, I'd love to know! That stuff is very expensive, but works!)

I have a cookbook called "Sweeten Your Life the Xylitol Way" which has lots of great recipes in it. I've tried the coffeecake and some of the cookies. I haven't used it in awhile because it does affect my intestines, though it doesn't seem to do anything to any other members of my family.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #16 on: October 04, 2006, 10:52:47 AM » by RunAmokFarm

For those considering using this for their families, this might be interesting. While it does not affect humans the same way, it is NOT safe for dogs -- so if a dog gets into a package of Xylitol, or steals a baked "goodie" containing it, the dog could become very ill, suffer liver damage, or even die...

There are not too many cases of this happening, however since the popularity of the product is increasing, more and more dogs will have access to it -- and will increase the chances for accidents...

http://www.knowlesanimalclinics.com/miami/articles/main/xylitol_toxicity/

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #17 on: October 04, 2006, 10:56:44 AM » by Pennie

I would say if you are fighting yeast you definitely would not want the kind made from corn.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #18 on: October 04, 2006, 11:00:10 AM » by russiabear

Could someone please suggest a good online company to order Xylitol - thanks!!

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #19 on: October 04, 2006, 11:24:30 AM » by homeschooling madre

I got mine from www.emeraldforestxylitol.com - the summer before last. Their site says: "Emerald Forest Xylitol is dedicated to the research and development of quality products sweetened with xylitol. We use only FCCIV USP24 Pharmaceutical Grade Xylitol. Our xylitol is non-GMO, pesticide free, and Orthodox Union Kosher certified. 15% off orders of $75.00 or more. Expires 10/31/06. Free Shipping"

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #20 on: October 04, 2006, 12:39:40 PM » by scarlet_prairie

http://www.westonaprice.org/modernfood/sugarfree_blues.html

This is a link to an article about different types of sugars. Xylitol is found under sugar alchohols. I personally wouldn't use it. I'll stick with raw honey, molasses and a few other natual sugars. And definetely NOT Splenda (sucralose). I'd rather eat regular sugar.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #21 on: October 04, 2006, 01:08:03 PM » by Kati*did

From the standpoint of a diabetic, I found this article about xylitol (and other sugar alcohols) interesting. It also mentions that you should be aware of the source of your xylitol if you decide to buy it because some of it is made in labs -- not natural.

http://www.philkaplan.com/thefitnesstruth/artificial_sweeteners.htm

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #22 on: October 04, 2006, 03:22:57 PM » by Joy2BMommy

You can get xylitol fromhttp://www.azurestandard.com They also carry peelu gum - peelu is supposed to be great for teeth. It's the only gum we chew anymore. And they've just recently come out with peelu gum sweetened with xylitol - so the best of both worlds! I have yet to try it, we've only used the sugar peelu gum but hope to try the other soon.

Blessings,
Debbi

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #23 on: October 04, 2006, 04:58:20 PM » by Kati*did

Quote from: Gabriel Anast on April 22, 2006, 12:09:34 AM

We have a Xylitol article in the works... and from what we have found, Xylitol is really great.

Any other input would be great, though.

--gabe

Hey, Beeyoutiful Girl Grin

Are you still going to put this article out? Just wondering.

Katie

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #24 on: October 04, 2006, 05:49:21 PM » by dara

Yeah!

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #25 on: March 14, 2007, 12:26:53 PM » by Maria/NHM

I've recently found some interesting info on xylitol. I have been careful to avoid it as I'm treating for yeast and just assumed that since it is a sweetner it would feed the yeast. I'm finding that it might be helpful in fighting yeast.

An interesting exception to this rule is Xylitol. Dr. Ward Dean states that this sweetener is not metabolized by humans OR yeast: "Yeast gobble it up, thinking they're getting sugar, and die". He considers it one of the best anti-candida strategies!
Taken from
http://www.vitaminlady.com/Articles/candida_albicans.asp

Although xylitol tastes and looks exactly like sugar, that is where the similarities end. Xylitol is really sugar's mirror image. While sugar wreaks havoc on the body, xylitol heals and repairs. It also builds immunity, protects against chronic degenerative disease, and has anti-aging benefits. Xylitol is considered a five-carbon sugar, which means it is an antimicrobial, preventing the growth of bacteria. While sugar is acid-forming, xylitol is alkaline enhancing. All other forms of sugar, including sorbitol, another popular alternative sweetener, are six-carbon sugars, which feed dangerous bacteria and fungi

Taken from
http://www.laleva.cc/food/xylitol.html

A recent report suggests that consumption of xylitol may help control oral infections of Candida yeast; in contrast, galactose, glucose and sucrose may increase proliferation.[13

Taken from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol

Other links

http://jdr.iadrjournals.org/cgi/reprint/54/6/1239.pdf

http://www.thefinchleyclinic.com/shop/xylitol-p-34.html

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #26 on: March 14, 2007, 01:02:00 PM » by natural

ANOTHER PLACE TO GET XYLITOL STUFF

http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?Ntk=products&ss=1&Ntt=xylitol

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #27 on: May 23, 2007, 10:14:58 PM » by thus_I_fight

My husband read about xylitol several years ago, and we use it now and then. I buy it at our local health food store. We've found it to taste sweeter than sugar; in cooking and baking I use between 1/2 to 2/3 parts xylitol for one part sugar in a recipe. For example, 1/3 c. xylitol sweetens a gallon of tea to my liking (I like tea to be a little sweet). It does mess with your tummy/bowels if you use too much. But that only helps me keep the sweets in moderation. Cheesy

As for chewing gum, I agree that the standard commercial gums that boast about using xylitol also contain aspartame. We use Spry gum, also carried by our health food store. We've also purchased it cheaper online at vitacost.com. It's sweetened with xylitol.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #28 on: June 17, 2007, 04:50:00 PM » by HannahnSamuel

I'm curious to know if anyone has a recipe for a concentrate that I could use to make my own "flavored water"? The water at my dh's office is yucky tasting, and he really likes Propel, Aquafina, etc. flavored waters to have on hand there, but I thought maybe there'd be some way I could make my own?? Any ideas? I was thinking I could use either Stevia or Xylitol for the sweetener. All of the commercial brands use sucralose.

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Re: Xylitol: What, Where, Why, & How Much?
« Reply #29 on: June 17, 2007, 07:37:19 PM » by joychild24seven

Quote from: HannahnSamuel on June 17, 2007, 04:50:00 PM

I made this up to make the water cure easier to swallow... now even my teen brothers like our "home made propel".

These are our approximate measurements...

for 16 ounces of water add a pinch or two of unrefined sea salt, 5-8 drops of flavored stevia liquid (we use sweet leaf brand valencia orange flavor) and a splash of bottled lemon juice. My brothers have also added a bit of fruit juice concentrate for flavoring.

Somehow I think the salt in the water (you really can't taste it) counteracts the "hunger response" that would normally occur from eating something calorie free that tastes sweet. The "homemade propel" mix keeps me from feeling hungry for quite a while.

Also, Celestial Seasonings just came out with those little single use packets to mix into a bottled water. They have both herbal and tea mixes and they are flavored with stevia. My diabetic brother really enjoys them. They are pricey (around here are $3.70 for a box of 10).

My water at work is yucky and I keep a bottle of flavored stevia liquid there to add to my water if needed... (If I forget to bring my own water in) I also will add just a splash of lemon, which really helps.

Hope that helps!!!

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