Sample Pack - Sugalight Xylitol Sachet (Halal)
Xylitol powder is a natural sweetener derived from corn. It has a low glycemic index of 7. This item contains 1x 5g sample sachet of Xylitol.
Is Xylitol really natural?
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener that is found in the fibers of various fruits and vegetables including berries, oats and mushrooms. It is so natural in fact that the our bodies produce about 15 grams of Xylitol daily during its normal metabolic processes.
While artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, aspartame (Equal) and sucralose (Splenda) are available, they would not be ideal choices for anyone looking for an all natural sweetener.
What makes Xylitol diabetic friendly?
Our bodies absorb Xylitol much more slowly than ordinary sugar and hence Xylitol does not cause blood sugar spikes the way sugar does.
Since the lack of blood sugar spikes means that an insulin response is not required, Xylitol is great news for diabetics. Diabetes being a medical condition in which the body no longer produces insulin (Type I Diabetes) or fails to respond to insulin (Type 2 Diabetes).
The Glycemic Index (GI) is a way to measure the size of blood sugar spikes caused by various foods. While glucose is GI 100 and table sugar is GI 60, Xylitol is unique is having an ultra low GI of 7.
I am looking to control my calorie intake, how can Xylitol help me?
As each teaspoon of Xylitol contains 40% less calories as compared to ordinary sugar (9 Calories vs 15 Calories), replacing sugar with Xylitol is probably the easiest way to cut calories and still satisfy your sweet cravings.
- Tooth-friendly - Xylitol has been proven to reduce the risk of dental caries. It does this by inhibiting mutans streptococci, the bacteria largely responsible for tooth decay. For this reason, Xylitol is often added into dental care products such as toothpastes and mouthwashes. In fact, dental associations around the world including those in Finland, Norway, Sweden, England, Ireland, Estonia and the Netherlands have officially endorsed Xylitol for its dental benefits.
- Nasal sprays - Xylitol is often featured in nasal sprays as inhibits the growth of bacteria on the nasopharyngeal cells.
- Ear and upper respiratory infections - Studies have shown that xylitol chewing gum can help prevent ear infections as the chewing action as well as the chemistry of Xylitol can interfere with the ability of many bacteria to adhere.
- Osteoporosis - Xylitol is potentially 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.
- Pregnant and nursing women - Xylitol is safe for pregnant and nursing women, and studies show that regular use significantly reduces the probability of transmitting the tooth decay bacteria from mother to child during the first two years of life by as much as 80%.
Is Xylitol approved for use in Singapore?
Absolutely!
Xylitol is approved for use as a food ingredient in many countries including the US, UK, EU, Japan and Singapore.
Are there any side effects to using Xylitol?
As a low calorie sweetener, Xylitol is absorbed more slowly than normal sugar. This slow absorption may in rare cases cause mild gastrointestinal side-effect such as bloating and diarrhea.
With regular intake of Xylitol, our bodies adapt so that such side effects do not happen.
Can I use Xylitol in my baking?
While Xylitol tastes great in desserts and is certainly heat stable, it will not cause breads to rise. This is because yeast requires sugar to work and it will not metabolize Xylitol to produce carbon dioxide bubbles.
This also explains why Xylitol effectively inhibits tooth decay as compared to normal sugar.
Data sheet
- Halal
- Halal-Certified
Specific References