At Thriving Healthy Women we recommend that you limit sweet things in your diet and if you are going to eat sweet things its best to use Xylitol instead of sugar.

Xylitol is a natural substance found in fibrous vegetables and fruit, as well as in corncobs and various hardwood trees like birch. It is a natural, intermediate product which regularly occurs in the glucose metabolism of humans and animals, as well as in the metabolism of several plants and microorganisms. Xylitol is produced naturally in our bodies; in fact, we make up to 15 grams daily during normal metabolism. Whilst xylitol sounds like a chemical, it is not. Its original name from Finland has produced confusion in many non-European minds.

Whilst known in many overseas counties, it has been until recently relatively unknown in the Australia, primarily because cheap supplies of cane sugar have made the more expensive xylitol less economically viable. However, with the mounting evidence about issues associated with refined sugar, the increasing level of obesity and the well-recorded issues associated with artificial sweeteners, xylitol has emerged as a real alternative.

Two of Xylitol's most amazing properties are: its insulin independent capabilities - it metabolizes in the body without using insulin and its anti-bacterial property. Classified on labels as a carbohydrate, Xylitol has been used in foods since the 1960's and is approved for use by those with diabetes or hypoglycemia.

Benefits of xylitol over other sweeteners?

Western cultures have a big craving for sugar, which has created immense problems for our society. Never in human history have people consumed so much sugar.

Xylitol looks, feels, and tastes exactly like sugar. Although that is where the similarities end! Xylitol is really sugar's mirror image. While sugar wreaks havoc on the body, xylitol heals and repairs. It also builds immunity. Xylitol is a five-carbon sugar which means that it is anti-microbial, preventing the growth of bacteria. While sugar is acid forming, xylitol is alkaline enhancing. All other forms of sugar are sic-carbon sugars which feed dangerous bacteria and fungi.

In its crystalline form, it can replace sugar in cooking, baking, or as a sweetener for beverages. It is also included as an ingredient in chewing gum, mints and used in other products such as nasal and mouth washes because of it inhibits bacteria. Unlike many artificial sweeteners, it leaves no unpleasant aftertaste. It also reduces sugar and carbohydrate cravings.

It is a chemical-free, natural alternative to sugar and to artificial sweeteners that contain aspartame, to read more about the serious health implications of using aspartame click here to go to our Sweet Things category in the Health Articles section.

Here are ust some of the benefits of Xylitol:

WEIGHT RELEASE

Reduces carbohydrate cravings and binge eating

Replenishes glycogen

Increases utilization of fat

DENTAL HEALTH

Inhibits plaque and dental cavities by 80%

Retards demineralisation of tooth enamel

Promotes remineralisation of tooth enamel

Improves breath odour

Increases saliva production

Reduces infections in the mouth and nasopharynx

ATHLETES AND BODY BUILDING

Anabolic - keeps biosynthetic pathways open

Anticatabolic - helps maintain lean muscle mass

Reduces free radical and oxidative damage

Increases endurance

Improves peripheral glucose utilization

ANTIOXIDANTS

Lowers serum free fatty acid levels

Antioxidant - generates NADPH

DIABETICS

Glycemic index of 7

Minimal effect on blood sugar and insulin levels

HYPOGLYCEMICS

Slow, steady release of energy balances blood sugar and insulin levels

CANDIDA PREVENTION

Inhibits yeast, including Candida Albicans

ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA

Raises pH in mouth to inhibit growth of bacteria that cause ear and other upper respiratory infections

OSTEOPOROSIS

Increases absorption of B vitamins and calcium

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For more information on Xylitol and other related articles go to our Sugar and Sweet Things category in the Health Articles section of this site.