Xylitol?

Several people have asked me about Xylitol. As I began researching it, I found that it is used in my "Tom's of Maine" toothpaste. Hmm-m-m. So I continued researching it. This month, The magazine from Marlene's Health Food Store has an article about Xylitol for oral health! See below: Xylitol is a sugar alcohol found in numerous plants, fruits, and vegetables, and is naturally produced by the body - up to 15 grams daily. Equal in sweetness and volume to table sugar, xylitol is a low calorie sweetener. It's also available in chewing gums, mints, toothpastes, and other products. Research supports using xylitol to prevent cavities and tooth decay. Since bacteria cannot use xylitol to grow, fewer cavities decay causing bacteria survive on the tooth's surface over time, reducing plaque formation. And, it's not just teeth! Poor oral health has also been linked to cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer s disease, obesity and various types of cancer.