Xylitol is a sweet substance with nutritional value and a normal intermediate in human body's carbohydrate metabolism. A healthy person, even if he does not eat any food containing xylitol, still contains 0.03---0.06 mg/100 mg of xylitol in his blood. In nature, xylitol is widely found in various fruits and vegetables, but the content is very low. Commercial xylitol is made from corn cobs, sugarcane bagasse and other agricultural crops through deep processing. It is a natural and healthy sweetener.
Xylitol is a white crystal, similar in appearance to sucrose. It is the sweetest sweetener among polyols. It has a cool taste, is as sweet as sucrose, and has the same calories as glucose. It is the sweetener of the future and a substitute for sucrose and glucose.
Xylitol is a white crystal that looks and tastes like sucrose. From a food grade perspective, xylitol can be divided into broad and narrow senses. In the broad sense, it refers to carbohydrates, and in the narrow sense, it refers to polyols. Because xylitol is only slowly absorbed or partially utilized. One of its major features is its low calorie content: 2.4 calories per gram, 40 fewer calories than other carbohydrates. Xylitol has been used in food since the 1960s. In some countries it is a popular sweetener for people with diabetes. In the United States, it can be used as a food additive for certain special purposes and can be added to food without dosage restrictions.
Xylitol is the best sweetener to prevent tooth decay and has been certified under different circumstances over a period of 25 years. Xylitol can reduce dental caries in high-risk groups (high dental caries incidence, low nutrition, low oral hygiene level) and low-risk groups (use all current dental protection measures to protect teeth, and the rate of dental cavities is low) ) are applicable.
Chewing gum and candies with xylitol as the main sweetener have been officially recognized by six national dental health associations.
●Function of xylitol
1. Xylitol is used as a sweetener, nutritional supplement and auxiliary therapeutic agent for diabetics: Intermediate, when the lack of insulin in the body affects glucose metabolism, without insulin promotion, xylitol can also pass through the cell membrane and be absorbed and utilized by tissues to provide nutrients and energy to cells without causing an increase in blood sugar levels, eliminating the need for diabetic patients. It is the most nutritious sugar substitute suitable for diabetic patients to reduce symptoms of polyuria (polyphagia, polydipsia, and polyuria) after taking it.
2. Xylitol improves liver function: It has obvious effects on hepatitis, chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis, and is an ideal auxiliary drug for patients with hepatitis complications.
3. The anti-caries function of xylitol: The anti-caries properties of , inhibits the growth of streptococci and the production of acid; secondly, it can promote saliva secretion, slow down the decline of PH value, reduce tooth erosion, prevent dental caries and reduce the production of dental plaque, and can strengthen teeth.
4. The weight loss function of xylitol: Xylitol provides energy to the human body, synthesizes glycogen, reduces the consumption of fat and protein in liver tissue, protects and repairs the liver, and eliminates harmful With the production of ketone bodies, you will not worry about gaining weight due to consumption. It can be widely used in food, medicine, light industry and other fields.
● Application scope of xylitol:
1. The metabolism of xylitol in the body does not require the participation of insulin, does not increase blood sugar levels, and can eliminate the three symptoms of diabetes. (polyuria, polyuria, polyphagia), so it is a safe sweetener, nutritional supplement and auxiliary therapeutic agent for diabetics.
2. Consuming xylitol will not cause dental caries and can be used as a sweetener for chewing gum, chocolate, hard candies and other foods.
3. Due to its unique function, it can be used as a sweetener for low-sugar foods when mixed with other sugars and alcohols.
4. Xylitol has a cool taste and is more effective after freezing. It can be used in refreshing cold drinks, desserts, milk, coffee and other industries. It can also be used in health drinks, throat medicines, cough syrups, etc.
5. For good health, it can be used as a substitute for sucrose at home to prevent diabetes and obesity caused by excessive consumption of sucrose.
6. Xylitol is a polyol that can be used as a moisturizer in cosmetics and has no irritating effect on human skin. For example: facial cleanser, beauty cream, lotion, etc.
7. Xylitol has hygroscopicity and anti-caries functions, and liquid xylitol has a good sweetness, so it can replace glycerin for tobacco, anti-caries toothpaste, mouthwash, and anti-freeze. Moisturizers, etc.
8. Liquid xylitol can be used in the manufacture of battery plates. It has stable performance, easy operation, low cost, and is better than glycerol.
● Health effects of xylitol:
1. The sweetness is equivalent to that of sucrose at normal temperature, and the sweetness is 1.2 times that of sucrose at low temperature.
2. It is easily soluble in water and absorbs a lot of heat when dissolving. The mouth feels particularly cool when eaten.
3. It is not fermented and utilized by bacteria in the oral cavity. It can inhibit bacterial growth and acid production and prevent dental caries.
4. Blood sugar levels will not rise after consuming xylitol.
5. Good biological stability.
6. Good hygroscopicity.