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COPYRIGHT 2005 International Medical News Group
Naturally occurring in various fruits and vegetables, as well as in mushrooms, cereal grains, corncobs, straw, and some seaweeds, xylitol is a polyol (specifically, a pentitol), or the alcohol form of xylose (Caries Res. 2005;39:207-15).
It is also a byproduct of normal human glucose metabolism (www.xylitolinfo. com/web/xy/default/presentation/home /benefits/dental_benefits.html). Also known as "wood sugar," xylitol is extracted from birch wood chips and other abundant sources of xylan for use in food products. Given the wealth of data on its dental benefits, xylitol is most often used to sweeten chewing gum and to take the place of sugar in candy; oral hygiene products like toothpaste and mouthwash; overthe-counter syrups and chewable tablets; and some processed dietetic and diabetic foods. It has recently become a subject of interest for its potential dermatologic applications.
Oral Health
Of all the dental data culled over the past 30 years on xylitol, perhaps the most com pelling are the reports that this sugar substitute exerts an antimicrobial effect on oral flora. Indeed,...
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