Facts About Xylitol

Because of recent confusion and mis-statements by some bloggers, I'd like to report some facts about the sugar alcohol, Xylitol:

Like all sugar alcohols, unabsorbed (versus undigested) material is hygroscopic (attracts water) as it passes through the GI tract. This makes them potentially laxative at various doses; as always, moderation is the key.
o For xylitol, the common threshold is at 30-50 grams a day (1-2 ounces).
o For erythritol, an alternative sugar alcohol, there is practically no laxative effect since it is predominantly absorbed.

Xylitol is naturally found in plums, raspberries, and cauliflower; it is a naturally occurring sweetener that the body can handle.

Xylitol can be made from xylan; a fiber found in many plants including:
o corn husks, cobs, and stalks (corn bobs are the leading commercial source)
o certain hardwoods like birch and beech (relatively small commercial production is done in Europe for Scandinavian trees)
o rice, oat, wheat and cotton seed hulls (possible, but not a typical commercial source)
o various nut shells (possible, but not a typical commercial source)
o straw (possible, but not a typical commercial source)
o sugar cane (possible, but not a typical commercial source)

Xylitol does not require insulin.

Xylitol improves bone and tooth density, protects tooth enamel.

Xylitol has fewer calories than sugar; only about 2.4 calories per gram versus 4 for sugar.

Most xylitol is produced in China.
o However, GMO corn is not allowed for food production in China.
o There are some IP (documented as from non-GMO corn) supplies and others tested as non-GMO (the corn sources are tested before production, though IP is not in place yet).
o GMOs have not been found in xylitol from corn, despite unsubstantiated speculation from bloggers.
o China’s food safety laws have been expanded dramatically in recent years, and in some cases now exceed US standards.

Xylitol can be toxic to dogs, but so is chocolate. Pets can’t always eat our foods, but that doesn’t imply that these foods are somehow harmful to humans. This is a “straw man” argument that fades upon examination.