Can A New Chewing Gum Reduce Disease?

Popular in Japan, Finland, China and other countries, Xylitol chewing gum has proven successful successful in many different diseases.*

Xylitol is a sugar substitute that was said to have originally been discovered in Finland. Finland now uses a large amount of Xylitol in every day use.

Primarily Xylitol is exported from Japan all over the world, including the United States.

Though studies have been scarce, there have been a few that showed Xylitol to have very positive effects on osteoporosis, ear infections (acute otitis media), and even helps with diabetes. Could this new gum help cure other diseases as well?

Xylitol is now being put into Trident chewing gum, and should be in more North American products soon.

Although Xylitol sounds like a chemical concocted in a lab environment, it is actually not man made. This Xylitol sugar can be extracted from birch, raspberries, plums, and corn through natural extraction processes.

Xylitol is loved by the Japanese Xylitol harvesters because it is much more renewable than traditional sugars. Most sugar is harvested by killing the plant, but Xylitol is harvested by the fruit of the trees and plants it is found in.

Xylitol has very few side effects that have been documented. If large amounts are ingested on a regular basis, Xylitol may have a laxative effect. During studies, people have consumed 400 grams daily over an extended period of time with no measurable ill effects.

Dogs (canines) however, do react poorly to Xylitol, and it should be kept out of reach, and never given to them.

Before taking Xylitol, you should consult a physician. You should keep your physician abreast on any other medicines or treatments you are currently on while chewing Xylitol gum.

*For more information on Xylitol studies mentioned in this article, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol