Hello, I'm Monica Reinagel, and you're listening to episode number 480 of the Nutrition

Diva Podcast. Welcome. podcast welcome.

Amy asks, what about xylitol for osteoporosis prevention? Is this fact or fiction? Well, first of is this

is fact or fiction? Well, first of all, what is xylitol?

xylitol belongs to a category of molecules known as sugar alcohols,

a group that also includes erythritol, maltatol, and sorbitol.

Although small amounts of xylitol occur naturally in various fruits and other foods, it's primarily used in its refined form as a low calorie

sweetener. Refined xylitol crystals, which look just like sugar, are usually produced

from corncobs or even birch trees.

Sugar alcohols taste sweet, but they have fewer calories per gram than table sugar,

so you'll find them in dietetic or reduced calorie foods. But in addition

to being lower in calories, sugar alcohols don't affect your blood sugar or insulin levels

the way regular sugar does. So you're also going to see blood sugar

does. So you're also going to see sugar alcohol is used in

so-called diabetic or sugar-free candies and cookies.

Now, xylitol in particular has also gotten a lot of attention for its unique ability to prevent

and potentially even reverse tooth decay.

You'll find it in sugar-free gum as well as toothpaste and mouthwash.

Chewing xylitol containing gum for 20 minutes after every meal can aid in the

re-mineralization of your teeth and substantially reduce your risk of tooth decay, which is pretty cool.

A lesser known benefit of xylitol is in the prevention of ear infections.

So remember, the mouth and the inner ear

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