The difference between xylitol and white sugar

White sugar is extracted from plants and its main component is sucrose. Ordinary white sugar is a two-carbon sugar, and there are many types. Xylitol is an additive extracted from natural plants that replaces white sugar. It is generally used in food additives and has a sweet taste. Xylitol appears in the form of white crystals or white powder. Xylitol is a very healthy substance and suitable for diabetics.

Xylitol

Xylitol, also known as pentaerythritol, is a type of sugar alcohol. It is a five-carbon sugar alcohol that can be used as a sucrose substitute. It is a product of xylose metabolism. Xylose is widely present in various plants, but due to its low content and high extraction cost, xylitol is obtained by hydrogenation reduction of xylose during food production. The sweetness of xylitol is comparable to that of sucrose, but the calories are much lower than sucrose.

The difference between xylitol and white sugar

1. It can be used as a sweetener, nutrient and medicine and is widely used in chemical, food, pharmaceutical and other industries. The taste is lighter and the sugar content is slightly lower, not as sweet as sucrose. There is so much sugar, so the impact on teeth and diabetes is small. Because there is a lot of sugar cane, his cost is relatively cheap

2. The metabolic pathway of xylitol in the body is different from that of general sugars. It does not require the participation of insulin. Most of it is decomposed into carbon dioxide and excreted from the lungs through breathing. It does not increase blood sugar. Therefore, xylitol is often used as a sweetener for diabetics.

3. In addition to providing sweetness, xylitol also has a function that sucrose does not have. Xylitol can prevent tooth decay. Eating sugar causes tooth decay mainly because the sugar remaining on the teeth will be decomposed and utilized by microorganisms in the mouth, producing acidic substances that corrode the teeth. Xylitol is difficult to be utilized by microorganisms in the mouth and cannot produce acid, so it generally does not cause tooth decay. Experiments have shown that xylitol can reduce the incidence of tooth decay by 90% compared to sucrose. Xylitol can inhibit the growth and reproduction of mutant streptococci, so its intake will not cause tooth decay. Therefore, xylitol is added to chewing gum to protect teeth and prevent tooth decay.

Note:

1. Avoid excessive consumption: Excessive consumption can cause diarrhea, because xylitol is not easily broken down by gastric enzymes and directly enters the intestines. Excessive consumption can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and may cause abdominal discomfort, bloating, and intestinal rumbling. Moreover, since the absorption rate of xylitol in the intestine is less than 20%, it is easy to accumulate in the intestinal wall and cause osmotic diarrhea. Therefore, it is not advisable to consume it in excess. It is recommended that the daily intake of xylitol should not exceed 25g.

2. Excessive consumption of xylitol will increase blood lipids. Eating too much xylitol will increase the triglyceride level in the blood and cause coronary atherosclerosis. Therefore, people with cardiovascular disease and diabetes should not eat too much xylitol.