Xylitol a Diabetic Friendly
Sweetener
Xylitol is an
all-natural sweetener that is used as a substitute for sugar. The fibers of
various fruits & vegetables contain Xylitol. It is made from fruits like
pears, strawberries and plums, as well as cornhusks or birch bark. It tastes
more similar to sugar than any of the other substitutes that are available
today.
Xylitol was discovered
in the latter part of the 19th century. It became popular in Europe as a
sweetener that was safe for people suffering from diabetes because it did not
affect their insulin levels.
A diabetic individual
is generally advised to lower their simple carbohydrates and sugar intake. The
majority of the experts agree that a small amount of sugar can be included in a
diabetic diet. However, replacing sugar with a sweetener can help a diabetic to
manage their glucose levels. This is especially useful for people with a
'sweet' tooth. Xylitol is a great substitute for sugar. One of the greatest
qualities is it can take the place of sugar cup by cup. One teaspoon of xylitol
only has 10 calories and a GI of 7. Measuring the same as sugar conversion to
this sweetener is extremely easy.
The glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly a food causes blood glucose levels to rise. A food that has a high glycemic index causes glucose levels to rise more rapidly. White sugar has a GI of 68; while xylitol's GI is only 7. This means that consuming xylitol will not cause an individual's blood glucose level to spike.
Here is a list of
sweeteners and their Glycemic Index measurements:
·
High Fructose Corn Syrup-100
·
White Sugar-68
·
Honey-62
·
Blackstrap Molasses-55
·
Maple Syrup-54
·
Barley Malt Syrup-42
·
Agave Nectar-15
·
Xylitol-7
·
Erythritol-0
Since xylitol is not a
carbohydrate its glycemic load (GL) is zero. It is metabolized separately from
insulin. The formula GL= (The amount of carbohydrate available x GI)/100 is
used to calculate the glycemic load. It measures the quantity and quality of
carbohydrates.
Sugar has 40% more
calories than xylitol. By using xylitol instead of sugar, a diabetic can reduce
their calorie intake to lose weight or control their weight. This is an
essential element in managing diabetes. Besides being a sugar substitute for
diabetics, it has many other benefits as well.
Benefits of Xylitol
·
No horrible aftertaste
·
1/3 less calories than white sugar
·
Helps reduce the formation of plaque
·
Delightfully sweet taste
·
Helps increase the flow of saliva aiding
in the restoration of damaged enamel on the teeth
·
Helps with the reduction of dental
cavity development
·
Fantastic sugar alternative for people
with diabetes
Today, obtaining
xylitol products is becoming easier than ever. There are candies, ketchups,
honeys and jams. This is just a sampling of the products available. Whether you
are diabetic, or just looking to eat healthier without giving up your sweet
tooth, xylitol may be just what you need.
Jim Nikou writes about
health and nutrition and is especially interested in xylitol
[http://www.exylitol.com/] and xylitol benefits
[http://www.exylitol.com/xylitol-benefits]. He became interested in xylitol,
since he read about the Turku studies that were the first to identify the
dental benefits of xylitol.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jim_Nikou/1119753
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