| Ingredient Variation | N/A |
| Cas No | 87-99-0 |
| Chemical Formula | C5H12O5 |
| Solubility | Soluble in Water |
| Categories | Supplement, Sweetener |
| Applications | Food Additive, Immune Enhancement, Pre-Workout, Sweetener, Weight Loss |
Xylitol is a lower-calorie sugar substitute with a low glycemic index. Some research suggests that it may also improve dental health, prevent ear infections, and possess antioxidant properties. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol, which is a type of carbohydrate and does not actually contain alcohol.
Xylitol is considered a “sugar alcohol” because it has a chemical structure that’s similar to both sugars and alcohol, but it’s technically neither of these in the way we usually think of them. It’s in fact a type of low-digestible carbohydrate that includes fiber. People with diabetes sometimes use xylitol as a sugar substitute. Blood sugar levels stay at a more constant level with xylitol than with regular sugar. This is because it is absorbed more slowly by the body.
What is xylitol made from? It’s a crystalline alcohol and a derivative of xylose — a crystalline aldose sugar that is not digestible by the bacteria in our digestive systems.
It’s usually produced in a lab from xylose but also comes from the bark of the birch tree, the xylan plant, and in very small quantities is found in some fruits and vegetables (like plums, strawberries, cauliflower and pumpkin).
Does xylitol have calories? Although it has a sweet taste, which is why it’s used as a sugar substitute, it doesn’t contain any cane/table sugar and also has fewer calories than traditional sweeteners.
It’s about 40 percent lower in calories than regular sugar, providing about 10 calories per teaspoon (sugar provides about 16 per teaspoon). It has a similar appearance to sugar and can be used in the same ways.