Xylitol is Said to Be Healthy, but Can Too Much Be Harmful?

To look at the side effect of xylitol it may be interesting to know what this product is. Xylitol is one of the sugar alcohol sweeteners which is a sugar substitute. These products occur naturally in different kinds of plants from which they may be processed. It is generally low in calories and is used as a sweetener in products such as chewing gums, lozenges, candy, as a pharmaceutical product sweetener, oral hygiene and a number of other food products. The source for making xylitol comes from maize or hardwoods. It is considered safe for diabetics and those suffering from hyperglycaemia due to a higher tolerance or lower impact on an individual's blood sugar, with its glycaemic index listed as 13.

It is normally considered safe for many people, even nursing and pregnant women, children and babies. It is not converted easily to fat because of its low calorie content so it is useful for people watching their weight. Side effects of xylitol occur when high amount are consumed or an individual cannot adapt to the product. Xylitol may produce flatulence, gas and diarrhoea and this is one of the most common side effects. When a high dose is given through intravenous injection it may cause the uric acid levels in the blood to rise, kidney stones may develop and there may be a change in liver function as well as high blood acidity.

When the extraction from the hardwood birch tree is put through a substandard purification technique, a very rare case of allergies may affect a certain number of people. These may appear as skin rashes, hives, itching, swelling in the throat and mouth, wheezing and breathing difficulties. There are generally very few side effects of xylitol when used in the recommended amounts. The amounts contained in lozenges, candies and chewing gum are not enough to produce side effects. Increasing the dose rate gradually may help the body to become used to the product providing the dose rate is not exceeded to a level where side effects develop.