What do you think of Xylitol?

[LibbyK]

For use as a sweetener in coffee?

We stay well away from Equal etc, but I'm wondering how safe Xylitol is?

I have tried Stevia, but it must take a bit of getting used to!

I wonder how Xylitol would go in cakes etc?

[Marmee]

I haven't heard of it? What is it?

[Bronnie]

we use it it's a natural sweetener (even though it sounds artificial). it is made from either birch or corn. we make it naturally in our bodies as well. the reason we use it is it is beneficial for teeth.

[LibbyK]

Thanks Bronnie, I know the name is a real put off isn't it! Sounds very chemically lol! Do you use it in baking?

[Nyree]

Keep it away from dogs if you have any - apparently it is toxic to them, but fine for humans.

I haven't heard of it? What is it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol

I get Snappy Jaws toothpaste for DD, but haven't tried it as a sweetner yet. I guess I do have some niggling concerns that it may become the next 'fructose' - doesn't illicit an insulin response from the pancreas like sugar, instead being processed by the liver. Potential for liver probs if used in large amounts long-term (more than is 'normal' for the body to process) ....but that's my theory - no proof yet (well, there is proof for fructose, but not xylitol)

[skn]

ITA that it does have a chemical sounding name.

I have used in a cake...I reckon it does have a slightly different taste to sugar. I don't really do much baking that uses sugar, so have only used it the once with a cake. Pretty expensive stuff.

I use a xylitol gel on the DD1's teeth. It's suppose to encourage the growth of bad bacteria while preventing bad bacteria from sticking to the teeth.

Apparently, it's also good for your bones somehow... dunno, just something I read somewhere...

[Nyree]

Apparently, it's also good for your bones somehow... dunno, just something I read somewhere...

Helps mineralisation of teeth & bones

[Clover]

I have used it. It's expensive so I usually just used it in coffee.

In Vietnam they have the chewing gum readily available in supermarkets. I was loving it as I dont' eat chewy because of the fake sugar.

[Bronnie]

i don't use it in cooking such as cakes, where sugar makes up part of the bulk. i tried to make lollipops iwth it, but it didn't work

[skn]

Originally Posted by Bronnie

i don't use it in cooking such as cakes, where sugar makes up part of the bulk. i tried to make lollipops iwth it, but it didn't work

How did they not work out?