Xylitol: Our product information

Xylitol / Xylit: The Benefits and Applications of Birch Sugar as an Additive

Xylitol, also known as Xylit, Birch sugar or Wood sugar, is a natural sugar alcohol that is commonly used in the food and personal care industries due to its very sweet taste. However, compared to regular sugar, Xylitol contains only a fraction of the calories.

Xylit is available in the form of a white powder and can be dissolved particularly well in warm water. The additive is extremely heat-stable and only caramelizes at temperatures above 200 degrees. Xylitol is listed in the food industry under the E number E967.

Xylitol / Xylit Production: Technological Extraction

Although the name suggests otherwise, industrial Birch sugar is not obtained from birch trees. Xylan, also called hemicellulose, is needed for Xylit production. The substance is found in residues of cereal bran, corn cobs, or certain parts of sugar cane.

Although Xylan also occurs in birch trees, the technological extraction from other resources is more efficient. Xylose is first extracted from Xylan-rich raw materials under very high temperatures and with the addition of sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid. Xylitol is then produced by hydrogenation.

Xylitol Sweetener: Application in Food

In the food sector, food additives such as Xylitol are highly sought after as they sweeten food but have a lower calorie content than sugar. As a result, the Xylitol sugar alternative is frequently used in sugar- or calorie-reduced products in the diet sector. Xylitol contains about half as many calories as regular household sugar, making it ideal for a calorie-conscious diet.

Xylitol or Xylit is used in beverages, baked goods, mustard, sauces, or spreads, as it offers a lower calorie alternative to regular sugar. Because Birch sugar causes less of an increase in blood sugar levels than regular sugar, the sweetener can also be used by diabetics.

Xylitol: Further applications of the sweetener

Xylitol also has a side effect that no other sweetener possesses: when consumed, the sugar substitute creates a cooling effect in the mouth. That's why the substance is also used in dental care products, as it provides a fresh sensation in the mouth, similar to menthol. Xylitol is also frequently found as an ingredient in toothpastes, mouthwashes, or sugar-reduced mint candies.

Xylitol sweetener also has a positive effect on dental health. Since Xylitol doesn't contain sugar, the sweetener isn't cariogenic. Therefore, there's no risk of tooth decay. Xylitol is also said to have antibacterial properties that can help reduce the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. This way, Xylitol can actively counteract tooth decay.

Therefore, birch sugar sweetener is often used as an ingredient in toothpastes and mouthwashes to promote dental health and prevent tooth decay.

Conclusion: What makes the additive special

Overall, Xylitol as a sugar substitute not only offers a sweet taste but also many advantages for dental health. As it is a natural and sustainably derived sweetener, birch sugar is considered particularly well-tolerated, environmentally friendly, and safe.

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