Birch Xylitol: pros and cons of the alternative sweetener

Xylitol is a polyol or polyalcohol, also called " wood sugar "; it is a substance with a sweetening power and a taste similar to sucrose, but it is much less caloric .

It has the appearance of a white crystalline powder and is generally extracted from birch, but also from beech, but also from certain types of fruit, such as plums, strawberries or raspberries, and from wheat. We find it equally in oats, corn, mushrooms and other berries.

Even the human organism, through metabolism and the liver, produces a minimal amount.

As a food additive we find it in products with the abbreviation E967, contained mainly in chewing gum and candy, but also in toothpaste. It is sold very online, it is not easily found in supermarkets or organic shops. A bag of 250 grams of xylitol costs from 8 to 11 euros .

Birch Xylitol: a healthy alternative sweetener?

Let's discover in detail the characteristics of this alternative sugar, with its pros and cons:

Birch xylitol pro:

Almost halved calories : refined white sugar contains almost 4 per gram, while xylitol is just over half.

Low glycemic index : xylitol has a glycemic index of 7, low compared to 60-70 for refined sugar.

Good for your teeth . The process that triggers the formation of the dental plaque is played by the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, which feeds on the glucose present in the oral cavity. Xylitol does not like this bacterium, which does not use it and does not feed on it. Furthermore, the saliva is less acidic, therefore the prevention and reduction of caries is also greater.

Better calcium absorption . According to various research, xylitol would help the digestive system to better absorb calcium.
Use in the kitchen . It is used as such to sugar, both for cakes and biscuits, ice cream or puddings. Also ideal for hot or cold drinks. Once opened, the product can agglomerate over time, but it dissolves easily again.

So xylitol is good for those who suffer from diabetes or obesity and overweight problems . Various researches, especially from Finland, have highlighted the positive aspects of this alternative sugar even for those suffering from osteoporosis .

In Finland it is very popular and there are many products that contain it. Xylitol is therefore widely produced in the Nordic countries, especially Denmark. Chinese xylitol is not missing.

Against xylitol

Digestion and intestine . For some people, taking xylitol has caused digestive problems or bowel problems, such as excessive fermentation or laxative effect . Those suffering from irritable bowel disease should avoid it.

Refined product . In any case, like white sugar, xylitol is a refined and industrially processed product, especially if it is xylan, xylitol derived from processed vegetable fiber; therefore it does not contain precious substances such as minerals, vitamins or proteins such as other natural sweeteners (honey in particular).
Costs . Xylitol is certainly not as cheap as refined sugar, as seen, a kilo of pure Finnish xylitol, produced from certified forests, costs about 20 euros.

Attention : birch xylitol is not recommended for dogs! For them it has the same extremely negative effects as sugar.