Back on August 8, 2010, I looked in my stash of snacks and remembered that I had a bag of sugarless candy I seldom eat. Curiosity about the sugar alcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol led me to Google xylitol.
According to Wikipedia, Xylitol may help in dental care, diabetes, osteoporosis, ear and upper respiratory infections, infection, and reduction of oral infections of candida yeast. It also benefits for pregnant or nursing women.
Yes, sugar alcohol have the negative side effect of flatulance and diarrhea. However, their benefits are less dental caries ("No cavities!"), moderation of blood sugar levels, and improved health overall.
Thus, with moderation, my small supply of sugarless candies may actually have health benefit due to the xylitol in them.
In contrast, both sorbitol and mannitol do not have the same properties as xylitol.
Sorbitol causes flatulence and is a laxative.
Mannitol is similar to sorbitol, having the same number of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms in it but arranged differently. However, it dissolves in water at a slower rate, which in a chewing gum, would require less of it.
Trident Original sugarless gum contains xylitol in it. Other Trident gums containing xylitol include Trident Fusion and Stride
Wrigley's Orbit gum comes in packages containing 6 pieces; or the round containers
In Canada, xylitol-only gum is sold by bulk or in bottles and jars,
Due to the cost of xylitol, xylitol-only gums are priced higher than other gums.
Xylitol: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol
Sorbitol: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorbitol
Mannitol: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannitol
Trident gum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trident_%28gum%29
Trident FAQ: http://www.tridentgum.com/textonly/faq
Wrigley's Orbit: http://www.wrigley.com/global/brands/orbit.aspx
Originally posted: August 8, 2010 at 2256H
Updated: February 8, 2013 at 1941H
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