Xtlitol

Xtlitol- C5H12O5 Xylitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol that is used as a sugar substitute. Xylitol is used as a sugar substitute because it is almost as sweet as sucrose, but it is low in calories, which makes it a safe substitute for diabetics and people and people that want to loose weight. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, including various berries, corn husks, oats, and mushrooms. It can be extracted from corn fibre, birch, raspberries, plums, and corn. Xylitol is a "tooth friendly" sugar, meaning that it does not cause cavities. However, it is known that exceeding the 6 to 8 grams of recommended Xylitol for oral care can cause stomach discomfort and above 40 grams a day as sweetener, it might cause diarrhea. A recent study has shown that Xylitol may help fight osteoporosis.

Diagram of molecule Image Citation: User:D.328, (2005, December 10). Image:Xylitol.png. Retrieved March 18, 2008, from Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Xylitol.png

Citations: Ward, Dean (2008). Xylitol - Sweetener May Support Bone Health. Retrieved March 18, 2008, from Vitamin Research Products Web site: http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?ProdID=art717&zTYPE=2

Aranda, Natalie (2006, November 13). Side Effects of Xylitol. Retrieved March 18, 2008, from EzineArticles Web site: http://ezinearticles.com/?Side-Effects-of-Xylitol&id=358096