Xylitol

Xylitol is a natural sweetener obtained from plant raw materials such as birch, oak, corn cob and sugarcane bagasse.

I. Properties.

1. The sweetness is equivalent to that of sucrose, but the calories are much lower than sucrose.

2. It is hygroscopic and has different hygroscopicity performance under different relative humidity, which makes it have special use in some food processing.

3. It has high stability, is not easily decomposed by acid and alkali, and is not easily changed when heated.

II. Application areas.

1. Food industry.

1.1 Chewing gum: Xylitol is widely used in chewing gum. It is not fermented into acidic substances by bacteria in the oral cavity, which reduces the risk of dental caries.

1.2 Candy: Can be used to make various candies such as hard candy, soft candy, etc., which not only provide sweetness but also reduce calories.

1.3 Baked food: It can be used to make bread, cakes, etc., partially replacing sucrose and reducing the calories of the product.

2. Pharmaceutical field.

2.1 It is used as an excipient in certain pharmaceutical preparations such as lozenges, oral liquids, etc. to improve the taste and also play a certain health role.

2.2 Used in special foods for diabetics because xylitol does not require insulin to participate in metabolism and does not cause blood sugar to rise.

III. Health effects.

1. Benefits for teeth: Since xylitol cannot be utilized by bacteria in the mouth, it can reduce the occurrence of tooth decay. In addition, it stimulates saliva secretion and flushes bacteria out of the mouth, further protecting dental health.

2. Effects on blood sugar: Xylitol has a low effect on blood sugar and is suitable for diabetics. However, diabetics must also ensure that their intake of foods containing xylitol is controlled in order not to impair blood sugar control.

3. Side effects of excessive consumption: Excessive consumption of xylitol can cause symptoms such as diarrhea and gastrointestinal complaints. In addition, the metabolic process of xylitol in the human body is different from that of glucose. Excessive consumption can place a certain strain on the liver and kidneys.