Xylitol, sugar good for health
Xylitol is an alcoholic sugar obtained mainly from vegetable sugar, called xylose. Birch, straw, corncobs and coconuts naturally contain a lot of xylose. Xylose is converted into xylitol by the action of enzymes (amylase, glucose-isomerase ...). Xylitol has the same sweetening power as sucrose, the famous powdered sugar, but not absorbed by the stomach, it is not so caloric!
Better, it would prevent the formation of caries. Indeed, xylitol is not fermented by saliva, unlike traditional sugar. However, it is the acidity produced by this fermentation that is at the origin of caries. In combination with calcium and phosphate, xylitol promotes mineralization of teeth. This is why many chewing gums now contain xylitol.
Xylitol, a little known product
Officially, excess xylitol would only cause problems with diarrhea or abdominal pain. But the organic sector prohibits this compound, because the enzymes used in the manufacture of xylitol can come from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), such as corn. Studies have shown that it can be carcinogenic to rats. But international health organizations have not concluded the human-rat correspondence in this case. However, the Association for Cancer Therapeutic Research lists xylitol as "certainly carcinogenic".
Xylitol is an alcoholic sugar obtained mainly from vegetable sugar, called xylose. Birch, straw, corncobs and coconuts naturally contain a lot of xylose. Xylose is converted into xylitol by the action of enzymes (amylase, glucose-isomerase ...). Xylitol has the same sweetening power as sucrose, the famous powdered sugar, but not absorbed by the stomach, it is not so caloric!
Better, it would prevent the formation of caries. Indeed, xylitol is not fermented by saliva, unlike traditional sugar. However, it is the acidity produced by this fermentation that is at the origin of caries. In combination with calcium and phosphate, xylitol promotes mineralization of teeth. This is why many chewing gums now contain xylitol.
Xylitol, a little known product
Officially, excess xylitol would only cause problems with diarrhea or abdominal pain. But the organic sector prohibits this compound, because the enzymes used in the manufacture of xylitol can come from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), such as corn. Studies have shown that it can be carcinogenic to rats. But international health organizations have not concluded the human-rat correspondence in this case. However, the Association for Cancer Therapeutic Research lists xylitol as "certainly carcinogenic".
