Lower calorie and no calorie sweeteners will not necessarily make a food or drink healthy but can be helpful in reducing your sugar intake. High sugar intakes increase the risk of tooth decay. Therefore, the use of no calorie sweeteners in food and drink, as long as the product does not contain any sugars, can help reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Forssten, Sofia D.; Björklund, Marika; Ouwehand, Arthur C. (2 March 2010). " Streptococcus mutans, caries, and simulation models". Nutrients. 2 (3): 290–298. doi: 10.3390/nu2030290. ISSN 2072-6643. PMC 3257652. PMID 22254021. Chewing gums containing xylitol and sorbitol may affect caries development. [27] Xylitol-containing chewing gums displayed anticariogenic properties in all protocols, but it was unclear whether this effect was due to increased saliva flow. [27] A Cochrane review suggested a positive anticariogenic effect of xylitol-containing fluoride toothpastes when compared to fluoride-only toothpaste, but there was insufficient evidence to determine whether other xylitol-containing products can prevent caries in infants, children or adults. [28] Earache [ edit ] Total Sweet Xylitol respects the environment: the European birch and beech wood used to make Xylitol are sustainably grown for paper making, and Xylitol is merely a bi-product. No trees are specifically cut down to make this sugar alternative. Total Sweet have also helped to plant over 50,000 trees to date through the Trees For The Future organisation – and that’s pretty sweet! When ingested at high doses, xylitol and other polyols may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, including flatulence, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome (see Metabolism above); some people experience the adverse effects at lower doses. [18] [35] Xylitol has a lower laxation threshold than some sugar alcohols but is more easily tolerated than mannitol and sorbitol. [36] Obviously using sugar to achieve this sweet taste would completely negate the point of using such products, and as a result of this, artificial sweeteners are used in its place – and the most common of these is of course once again, xylitol.

Is xylitol dangerous to other pets in the household?

The amount of xylitol dogs will react to depends on their size and how much they eat. For example, just one piece of gum could be life-threatening to a smaller dog, but this will depend on the xylitol content of the gum, which can be hugely variable, especially in sugar-free gum (from 1-90%). Xylitol is a white odourless crystalline powder that has been used as a sweetening agent in food for over 40 years. In general, everyone should be eating less sugar but lower or no calorie sweeteners can be a useful alternative for people who want to reduce their sugar intake, while maintaining a sweet taste.

Emil Fischer, a German chemistry professor, and his assistant Rudolf Stahel isolated a new compound from beech wood chips in September 1890 and named it Xylit, the German word for xylitol. The following year, the French chemist M.G. Bertrand isolated xylitol syrup by processing wheat and oat straw. [5] Sugar rationing during World WarII led to an interest in sugar substitutes. Interest in xylitol and other polyols became intense, leading to their characterization and manufacturing methods. [6] [7] Structure, production, commerce [ edit ]

Clinical tests have shown that consumption of xylitol-sweetened foods between meals significantly cuts formation of new caries, even in those who already practice good oral hygiene. It also inhibits the growth of S. mutans – the primary bacterium associated with dental caries. Cuts plaque formation You can cook with Total Sweet Xylitol: replace sugar ‘one for one’ in your baking for less calorific cakes, biscuits and other treats. Chapter 3: Energy Conversion Factors". Calculation of the Energy Content of Foods. Food and Agriculture Organization (Report). The United Nations . Retrieved 30 March 2017.

Sugar Alcohols (PDF) (Report). Canadian Diabetes Association. 1 May 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2012 . Retrieved 14 March 2012. Xylitol is a naturally occurring substance that’s often used as a sugar substitute for humans, and is commonly found in sauces, spreads and gum. Xylitol is a type of sugar alcohol that is naturally present in lots of different foods including strawberries, plums, oats, mushrooms and lettuce. But most commercialised xylitol tends to be extracted from corn fibre or birch trees. Why is xylitol so toxic to dogs? We’ve put together this guide on xylitol poisoning in dogs to explain why this ingredient is so toxic for your pup and outline the signs to look out for if they do manage to get their paws on it. What is xylitol? However, whilst xylitol is generally considered to be safe for humans (albeit eating a lot of it can have a laxative effect, and there is also a lot of debate over whether such artificial products might be harmful in the long term), it is very toxic to dogs.

Diabetic chocolate and even savoury goods

Evidence from short term trials on drinks sweetened with no calorie sweeteners show that when they are consumed instead of sugary drinks, they can support lowering of energy intake and weight gain. There is no evidence sweeteners stimulate appetite in humans. They're found in products such as drinks, desserts and ready meals, cakes, chewing gum and toothpaste.

Weissman, Joshua D.; Fernandez, Francisca; Hwang, Peter H. (November 2011). "Xylitol nasal irrigation in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis: A pilot study". The Laryngoscope. 121 (11): 2468–2472. doi: 10.1002/lary.22176. ISSN 1531-4995. PMID 21994147. S2CID 36572019.Total Sweet Xylitol promotes healthy teeth: Xylitol is already an ingredient in many chewing gums, toothpastes, mints and mouth washes for its dental benefits. It can help to create an alkaline environment in the mouth, which can help reduce cavities and prevent plaque build-up. It can also help the mouth absorb calcium and other minerals that help your teeth stay strong and healthy. Signs of poisoning can be rapid or delayed, but you should never wait for symptoms to appear before seeking veterinary help. This could put your dog’s life at risk. In most cases, symptoms will start to appear within 30 minutes but can take up to 12 hours to develop in some cases. What are the symptoms of xylitol poisoning? Xylitol is also found as an additive to saline solution for nasal irrigation and has been reported to be effective in improving symptoms of chronic sinusitis. [14]