The safety of xylitol

[eirual]

Inspired by this post in the "consuming xylitol" thread:

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1

You all sound excited about xylitol, but I wouldn't give it to my kids. It is still a new for of sweetener, and not enough research on how it effects our bodies. I will not be a guinea pig for the stuff.

I just sifted through 8 pages of journal abstracts (10 per page) seeing what studies have to say about xylitol in response to this post (I had previously searched info readily available on the web and all things looked good). While I didn't find any study that set out to specifically test the 'safeness' of xylitol, no study found it to be harmful. Infact, from what I saw, xylitol seems to help the body fight off certain 'carcinogens', and consistently proved a significant reduction in "salivary and plaque mutans streptococci and salivary lactobacilli" and "aciduric bacteria present in saliva." even months after it was consumed regularly. It however "does not influence E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium. adhesion to meat surfaces"...you're better to rinse with hot water- who knew!

Anywhoo, if anyone comes across any reason to be concerned with consuming xylitol, I would deffinitely want to know. From what I can see (which admittantly doesn't include studies that focus specifically on the safety of xylitol) it has at very least dental health benefits.

[Koalamom]

The main reason I posted this is xylitol in a natural form (in fruit and veggies) is good, but to get it to a white powder, it has to be processed. When we consume processed food, it goes into our bodies and to create a homeostasis, it has to rob our bodies of nutrients and can weaken our teeth from the inside out. Xylitol may help externally, but I am not sure what the long term effect will be internally.

[flowmom]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1

The main reason I posted this is xylitol in a natural form (in fruit and veggies) is good, but to get it to a white powder, it has to be processed. When we consume processed food, it goes into our bodies and to create a homeostasis, it has to rob our bodies of nutrients and can weaken our teeth from the inside out. Xylitol may help externally, but I am not sure what the long term effect will be internally.

Xylitol does definitely help with dental health when used externally. I would not use it as a replacement sweetener for general consumption however. It does cause diarrhea if used in excess, and it is a processed food. Unless you order it from a special source, you can assume that it's made in China, with the corresponding potential for poor quality control and contaminants. Our whole family uses xylitol faithfully every day - 5 g per person - for dental health. The Spry brand that we use is GMO-free but made in China, but I am satisfied with their quality control. We occasionally use random granulated xylitol in food, but I am less confident of the safety of that product. We might order Smart Sweet.

[luv2bamommy2]

Read the articles on www.emeraldforestxylitol.com, my mom has been using Xylitol for years making carob candy and soy ice cream, then when my little boy [2 yrs old at that time] was diagnosed with severe ECC -Early Childhood Caries - she really researched and wrote to the folks who wrote many of the articles she was reading until she was thoroughly convinced as to the healing properties of Xylitol.

My son's teeth are proof that Xylitol heals ECC [unfortunately his
rambunctiousness (? not sure of spelling) proved fatal to his teeth, he fell on the edges of his front teeth 3 weeks ago, breaking the roots so they're going to have to be extracted anyway]. But his pediatric dentist is so pleased about his teeth that he actually bragged about them AND now offers Xylitol to his other patient's parents. So something good came out of it.

But we will continue using it; I've always had to have my teeth cleaned. No matter how much I brushed and flossed, I always seemed to miss some area/even ended up with a couple small cavities. But then I started brushing my teeth with Xyltol and at my last check-up I didn't need anything done. My teeth were in excellent shape AND TOTALLY CLEAN!!

Again as I remarked in another post, when you first start using Xylitol it CAN cause diarrhea. It can in some people, my brother (25) nearly ate a whole container [about 30 grams, I think] and it didn't react on him at all; and my son can eat or have 10 grams and it doesn't bother him [he's almost 3]. I can't have over 6 grams, neither can my mom.

From my understanding, just having Xylitol in your mouth after you eat anything, balances the ph level/acids cannot form in a neutral ph level. And I, or my mom was told that the Xylitol can be from any source. I use SPRY Rain, it is a spray, I take it everywhere with me. My kids love it, even my 13 month old daughter - and yes, I clean her teeth with Spiffies and give the little Xylitol 'Sours' from Emerald Forest, she likes the Cherry Blast and Grape the best.

[caspian's mama]

why did your 25yo bro eat a whole tub of it???

[caspian's mama]

i'm curious: for those that think xylitol is too processed, what's your family's dental care routine?

[honeysesame]

hi there,
i'm lurkin and bumpin...
that last question about the dental care routine?
thanks!: