Xylitol: One Name, Numerous Benefits

Abstract

Xylitol among other sugar alcohols have been extensively studied, showing numerous beneficial effects and potential clinical uses other than being used as a sweetener. The present chapter focuses on the beneficial effects of xylitol and its potential clinical relevance. It also elaborated the several beneficial effects of xylitol that requires more investigation, especially at clinical levels to ascertain its clinical and therapeutic applications. Information from different sources, mainly from “PubMed” journals, were reviewed, focusing on the beneficial effects and potential therapeutic values of this unique sugar alcohol in oral health care, glycemic control, lipid metabolism, weight management, bone metabolism, skin care, ear and upper respiratory tract infection and oxidative stress. There were consistent reports showing beneficial effects and potential clinical application of xylitol in the above-mentioned areas. There is a global acceptance of the use of xylitol in dental caries prevention and glycemic control, but more investigations are required to ascertain the clinical application of xylitol in the other areas. It has been approved as a safe sweetener by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA, thus xylitol may be used not only as a sweetener but also as a therapeutic additive in the abovementioned health-related issues.