Tag: Xylitol vs sugar

According to Healthline, xylitol contains about 40% fewer calories and a much lower glycemic index than regular sugar. But is xylitol really better than sugar for overall health, including dental benefits and cardiovascular risk? This comprehensive guide weighs the pros and cons of both sweeteners.

Despite its sweet taste, xylitol is not technically a sugar; it's a sugar alcohol with a different chemical structure and metabolic pathway. This distinction is crucial for anyone monitoring their sugar intake or blood glucose levels for health reasons.

Xylitol is a popular sugar substitute that looks and tastes just like sugar but contains 40% fewer calories. For many applications, the replacement is a straightforward 1:1 swap. However, specific baking methods and personal tolerance levels require careful consideration to achieve the best results when determining how much xylitol replaces sugar in your recipes.

A single piece of xylitol-sweetened chewing gum is enough to cause a toxic reaction in a small dog, a danger many are surprised by. As a sugar alcohol, xylitol is often pitted against traditional sugar as a healthier alternative for humans. The question of which is healthier, sugar or xylitol, requires a careful look at their different effects on metabolism, dental health, and overall wellness.