What is Xylitol? Is xylitol a sugar?
Xylitol (C5H12O5), a five-carbon sugar alcohol, is the intermediate product of xylose metabolism, white powdery crystals in shape, very soluble in water, widely found in fruits, vegetables, cereals, mushrooms and other foods and wood, straw, corn cobs and other plants, is a natural, healthy sweetener.
Its sweetness is very similar to sucrose, but it has the advantage of being low in calories compared to sucrose, so it is often used as a sugar substitute and favored by diabetics.
We usually say sugar refers to monosaccharides and disaccharides, such as sucrose, sugar, glucose, fructose, and xylitol belongs to sugar alcohol compounds, is the product of reduction of monosaccharides. According to the latest report of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization, sugar includes monosaccharides, disaccharides and sugar alcohols, therefore, xylitol also belongs to the sugar category. However, the metabolism of xylitol does not need insulin to promote, can be directly through the cell membrane to provide nutrition for the tissue, the human body after the intake of xylitol, the glucose content of the blood to increase very little, not enough to cause an increase in blood glucose value. This is the reason why blood glucose can be stable after eating xylitol with sweet flavor.
Is it really safe for diabetics to eat?
First of all, consuming xylitol in excess can lead to elevated levels of triglycerides in the body's bloodstream, which increases the risk of coronary atherosclerosis in the blood vessels, especially the vital ones. And one of the major complications of diabetes is cardiovascular disease. Secondly, xylitol will not be broken down by gastric enzymes, but directly into the intestinal tract, excessive consumption will cause a certain degree of gastrointestinal stimulation, may cause abdominal discomfort, flatulence, intestinal chirping and diarrhea. In Europe and the United States, foods containing xylitol will be indicated on the label "excessive intake may cause diarrhea" and other consumer tips.
Again, staple xylitol foods (cookies, pastries, etc.) in the reduction of sucrose at the same time, in order to pursue the taste, often increase the amount of starch and fat, so that the caloric value is high. The substances that cause our blood sugar rise is not only sugar, the overall calorie is also the "culprit", so should avoid excessive consumption of xylitol food.
Post time: Dec-12-2023