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In 2006, William Wrigley Jr. Company reformulated their [[Orbit (gum)|Orbit]] gum to contain xylitol and released it under the name "Orbit Complete". Critics have noted that the amount of Xylitol in some chewing gums is small, and other sugar alcohols may be used in larger amounts. Xylimax gum and mints have 1 gram of xylitol per piece, and xylitol is the only sweetener. (available in USA)
In 2006, William Wrigley Jr. Company reformulated their [[Orbit (gum)|Orbit]] gum to contain xylitol and released it under the name "Orbit Complete". Critics have noted that the amount of Xylitol in some chewing gums is small, and other sugar alcohols may be used in larger amounts. Xylimax gum and mints have 1 gram of xylitol per piece, and xylitol is the only sweetener. (available in USA)

==Permissible for Muslims==
Islam forbids the handling, promotion, selling and consumption of alcoholic beverages and other intoxicants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.isitharam.com/halal_info/prohibited/alcohol.jsp |title="Alcohol." IsItHaram.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.isitharam.com/halal_info/quran_hadith/alcohol_qh.jsp |title="Alcohol in Qur'an & Hadith." IsItHaram.com}}</ref> However, sugar alcohols are chemically different from ethanol, the type of alcohol found in all alcoholic beverages. Sugar alcohols do not intoxicate, and are permissible for Muslims to eat.

Food import regulations of GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries like Saudi Arabia<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cargillhealthandnutrition.com/products_isomalt_legislation.html |title="Isomalt Legislation." Cargill Incorporated official website. 2008.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.isitharam.com/halal_info/legal/saudi_regulations.pdf |title=USDA Gain Report #SA6008. "Saudi Arabia: Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Update 2006." [PDF]}}</ref> and Qatar permit the sugar alcohol xylitol. GCC food import regulations are based in large part on Islamic dietary law, formed in consult with the member countries' Ministries of Health and religious professionals. SPOTLIGHT HALAL magazine lists the sugar alcohols permitted by Saudi and Qatari regulations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.isitharam.com/features/sugaralcohols.jsp |title=SPOTLIGHT HALAL: Sugar Alcohols. (Erythritol, Sorbitol, Maltital, Xylitol). Published April 26, 09.}}</ref>.


==Medical applications==
==Medical applications==

Revision as of 15:00, 27 April 2009

Xylitol[1]
Xylitol
Names
IUPAC name
(2R,3R,4S)-Pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol
Other names
1,2,3,4,5-Pentahydroxypentane
Identifiers
ECHA InfoCard 100.001.626 Edit this at Wikidata
E number E967 (glazing agents, ...)
Properties
C5H12O5
Molar mass 152.15 g/mol
Density 1.52 g/cm³
Melting point 92-96 °C
Boiling point 216 °C
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Xylitol crystals

Xylitol (from Greek ξύλον - xyl[on], "wood" + suffix -itol, used to denote sugar alcohols) is an organic compound with the formula (CHOH)3(CH2OH)2. This achiral species is one of four isomers of 1,2,3,4,5-pentapentanol. This sugar alcohol is used as a naturally occurring sugar substitute found in the fibres of many fruits and vegetables, including various berries, corn husks, oats, and mushrooms.[2] It can be extracted from corn fibre,[3] birch, raspberries, plums, and corn. Xylitol is roughly as sweet as sucrose with only two-thirds the food energy.

Extraction of xylitol

Xylitol (Finnish ksylitoli) was first derived from Birch trees in Finland in the 20th century and was first popularised in Europe as a safe sweetener for people with diabetes that would not impact insulin levels. Today, using hardwood or maize sources, the largest manufacturer globally is the Danish company Danisco, with several other suppliers from China.[4][5]

Properties

One teaspoon (5 mL) of xylitol contains 9.6 calories, as compared to one teaspoon of sugar, which has 15 calories. Xylitol has virtually no aftertaste, and is advertised as "safe for diabetics and individuals with hyperglycemia". This is because sugar-alcohols have less impact on a person's blood sugar than regular sugars.[6]

Dietary use worldwide

Xylitol is widely used in Finland, its "home country". Many Finnish confectioneries employ xylitol, or have a xylitol version available. Virtually all chewing gum sold in Finland is sweetened with xylitol.[7]

The formerly Spanish company Chupa Chups, now Dutch-Italian, makes a xylitol-based breath mint, Smint, that it markets worldwide.

In China, Japan, and South Korea, xylitol is found in a wide assortment of chewing gums. There is a brand of gum named "Xylitol" in all three countries. Japan also has a brand called "Xylish". In addition, when Extra introduced xylitol-containing products to Hong Kong and Guangdong, the word "xylitol" is transcribed into Cantonese as "曬駱駝" (Jyutping: saai3 lok6 to4), which literally means "suntan camel", and the camel is used as a figurative icon in its advertisements.[8]

In 2004, popular North American Trident gum was reformulated to include xylitol, but not as the main sweetener (which are still aspartame, sorbitol and maltitol). The green apple flavor can be found without aspartame. It is also found in Smokey Mountain Snuff,[9] and IceBreakers brand Ice Cubes Gum from Hershey. A discontinued sugarless gum, Carefree Koolerz, was sweetened exclusively with xylitol. Xylichew, made in Finland (available in US), is also sweetened exclusively with xylitol.

Altoids brand gum has been sweetened with xylitol in order to reduce sugar content.

In 2006, William Wrigley Jr. Company reformulated their Orbit gum to contain xylitol and released it under the name "Orbit Complete". Critics have noted that the amount of Xylitol in some chewing gums is small, and other sugar alcohols may be used in larger amounts. Xylimax gum and mints have 1 gram of xylitol per piece, and xylitol is the only sweetener. (available in USA)

Permissible for Muslims

Islam forbids the handling, promotion, selling and consumption of alcoholic beverages and other intoxicants.[10][11] However, sugar alcohols are chemically different from ethanol, the type of alcohol found in all alcoholic beverages. Sugar alcohols do not intoxicate, and are permissible for Muslims to eat.

Food import regulations of GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries like Saudi Arabia[12][13] and Qatar permit the sugar alcohol xylitol. GCC food import regulations are based in large part on Islamic dietary law, formed in consult with the member countries' Ministries of Health and religious professionals. SPOTLIGHT HALAL magazine lists the sugar alcohols permitted by Saudi and Qatari regulations.[14].

Medical applications

Dental care

Xylitol is a "tooth friendly" sugar. Early studies from Finland in the 1970s found that a group chewing sucrose gum had 2.92 decayed, missing, or filled (dmf) teeth compared to 1.04 in the group chewing xylitol gums.[15] In another study, researchers had mothers chew xylitol gum 3 months after delivery until their children were 2 years old. The researchers found that the xylitol group had "a 70% reduction in cavities (dmf)."[15] Recent research[16] confirms a plaque-reducing effect and suggests that the compound, having some chemical properties similar to sucrose, attracts and then "starves" harmful micro-organisms, allowing the mouth to remineralise damaged teeth with less interruption. (However, this same effect also interferes with yeast micro-organisms and others, so xylitol is inappropriate for making yeast-based bread, for instance.)

Xylitol based products are allowed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make the medical claim that they do not promote dental cavities.[17]

A recent study demonstrated that a water additive for animals containing xylitol was effective in reducing plaque and calculus accumulation in cats.[18]

Diabetes

Possessing approximately 40% less food energy,[19] xylitol is a low-calorie alternative to table sugar. Absorbed more slowly than sugar, it doesn't contribute to high blood sugar levels or the resulting hyperglycemia caused by insufficient insulin response.

Osteoporosis

Xylitol also appears to have potential as a treatment for osteoporosis. A group of Finnish researchers has found that dietary xylitol prevents weakening of bones in laboratory rats, and actually improves bone density.[20][21]

Ear and upper respiratory infections

Studies have shown that xylitol chewing gum can help prevent ear infections[22] (acute otitis media); the act of chewing and swallowing assists with the disposal of earwax and clearing the middle ear, whilst the presence of xylitol prevents the growth of bacteria in the eustachian tubes (auditory tubes or pharyngotympanic tubes) which connect the nose and ear.[23] When bacteria enter the body they hold on to the tissues by hanging on to a variety of sugar complexes. The open nature of xylitol and its ability to form many different sugar-like structures appears to interfere with the ability of many bacteria to adhere.[24] Xylitol can be applied nasally through a saline solution containing xylitol.

When applied nasally to 21 subjects in a double-blind randomized controlled trial, it significantly reduced the number of nasal coagulase-negative Staphylococcus bacteria compared to the saline control. The researchers believe that it increases the effectiveness of endogenous (naturally present in the body) antimicrobial factors.[25]

Infection

In rats, xylitol has been found to increase the activity of neutrophils, the white blood cells involved in fighting many bacteria. This effect seems to be quite broad, acting even in cases such as general sepsis [26]

Candida yeast

A recent report suggests that consumption of xylitol may help control oral infections of Candida yeast; in contrast, galactose, glucose, and sucrose may increase proliferation.[27]

Benefits for pregnant or nursing women

Xylitol is not only safe for pregnant and nursing women, but studies show that regular use significantly reduces the probability of transmitting the Streptococcus mutans bacteria, which is responsible for tooth decay, from mother to child during the first two years of life by as much as 80%.[28]

Safety

Xylitol has no known toxicity in humans, and people have consumed as much as 400 grams daily for long periods with no apparent ill effects.[29] Like most sugar alcohols, it has a laxative effect because sugar alcohols are not fully broken down during digestion; albeit ten times weaker than sorbitol. The effect depends upon the individual. In one study of 13 children, 4 experienced diarrhea when consuming over 65 grams per day.[30] Studies have reported that adaptation occurs after several weeks of consumption.[30]

Dogs which have ingested foods containing high levels of xylitol (greater than 100 milligram of xylitol consumed per kilogram of bodyweight) have presented with low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) which can be life-threatening.[31] Low blood sugar can manifest as loss of coordination, depression, collapse and seizures as soon as 30 minutes after ingestion.[32][33] Intake of very high doses of xylitol (greater than 500 - 1000 mg/kg bwt) has also been implicated in liver failure in dogs, which can be fatal.[34] These are points of controversy, however, as earlier World Health Organization studies using much higher doses on dogs for long periods showed no ill effect. [35]

See also

References

  1. ^ MSDS for xylitol
  2. ^ Gare, Fran (February 1, 2003). The Sweet Miracle of Xylitol. Basic Health Publications, Inc. ISBN 1-59120-038-5.
  3. ^ R Sreenivas Rao, Ch. Pavanajyothi, RS Prakasham, PN Sharma, L Venkateswar Rao (2006) Xylitol production from corn fibre and sugarcane bagasse hydrolysates by Candida tropicalis Bioresource Technology 97:1974-1978.
  4. ^ http://www.whatsnewiningredients.com/Food-Ingredients/Articles.aspx/18767
  5. ^ http://www.ap-foodtechnology.com/Formulation/Danisco-ramps-up-xylitol-production-in-China-new-deal
  6. ^ Sugar Substitutes: Are They Safe? - HealtHints Newsletter
  7. ^ Advanced food development and functional foods from Finland
  8. ^ Xylitol advertisement in Guangdong
  9. ^ Smokey Mountain Snuff FAQ
  10. ^ ""Alcohol." IsItHaram.com".
  11. ^ ""Alcohol in Qur'an & Hadith." IsItHaram.com".
  12. ^ ""Isomalt Legislation." Cargill Incorporated official website. 2008".
  13. ^ "USDA Gain Report #SA6008. "Saudi Arabia: Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Update 2006." [PDF]" (PDF).
  14. ^ "SPOTLIGHT HALAL: Sugar Alcohols. (Erythritol, Sorbitol, Maltital, Xylitol). Published April 26, 09".
  15. ^ a b American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. (2006) Policy on the Use of Xylitol in Caries Prevention.
  16. ^ Tanzer, JM (1995). Xylitol chewing gum and dental caries. International dental journal 45 (1 Suppl 1):65-76. (online abstract)
  17. ^ U.S. FDA 21 CFR §101.80
  18. ^ Clarke, D.E. (2006) Drinking Water Additive Decreases Plaque and Calculus Accumulation in Cats. J Vet Dent(23)2:79-82
  19. ^ www.diabetes.org.nz/food/artificialsweeteners.html
  20. ^ Mattila PT, Svanberg MJ, Jämsä T, Knuuttila ML (2002). Improved bone biomechanical properties in xylitol-fed aged rats.Metabolism 51(1):92-6. (online abstract)
  21. ^ Mattila, PT (1999). Dietary xylitol in the prevention of experimental osteoporosis: Beneficial effects on bone resorption, structure and biomechanics. Dissertation, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu. (online)
  22. ^ Uhari M, et al. (1998). A novel use of xylitol sugar in preventing acute otitis media. Pediatrics, 102(4): 879–974.
  23. ^ Drgreene.com commercial site
  24. ^ Besttreaments.co.uk
  25. ^ Zabner J, Seiler MP, Launspach JL; et al. (2000). "The osmolyte xylitol reduces the salt concentration of airway surface liquid and may enhance bacterial killing". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 97 (21): 11614–9. doi:10.1073/pnas.97.21.11614. PMC 17249. PMID 11027360. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. ^ Renko, Marjo (2008 March 11;8:45.). "Xylitol-supplemented nutrition enhances bacterial killing and prolongs survival of rats in experimental pneumococcal sepsis". BMC Microbiology. 8: 45. doi:10.1186/1471-2180-8-45. PMID 18334022. Retrieved 2008-08-23. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  27. ^ Abu-Elteen, Khaled H. The influence of dietary carbohydrates on in vitro adherence of four Candida species to human buccal epithelial cells. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease (2005), 17(3), 156-162
  28. ^ Maternal Xylitol Consumption to Prevent Mother-Child Transmission of Mutans Streptococci
  29. ^ Mäkinen KK (1976). "Long-term tolerance of healthy human subjects to high amounts of xylitol and fructose: general and biochemical findings". Int Z Vitam Ernahrungsforsch Beih. 15: 92–104. PMID 783060.
  30. ^ a b Wang YM, van Eys J (1981). "Nutritional significance of fructose and sugar alcohols". Annu. Rev. Nutr. 1: 437–75. doi:10.1146/annurev.nu.01.070181.002253. PMID 6821187.
  31. ^ Dunayer, E.K., Gwaltney-Brant, S.M. (2006) Acute hepatic failure and coagulopathy associated with xylitol ingestion in dogs, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (229)7:1113-1117
  32. ^ ASPCA article
  33. ^ Dunayer, E.K (2004) Hypoglycemia following canine ingestion of xylitol-containing gum, Veterinary and Human Toxicology 46(2):87-88
  34. ^ Dunayer, E.K (2006) New findings on the effects of xylitol ingestion in dogs Veterinary Medicine 101(12):791-797
  35. ^ [1] Xlear, Inc. Issues Response to JAVMA Report on Dogs and Xylitol
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