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Xylitol is the first Finnish functional food ingredient whose health impact has been scientifically proven. Xylitol sprang onto the world stage when the study by Finnish Professors Arje Scheinin and Kauko Mäkinen proved the inhibitory effect of xylitol on dental caries in the early 1970s.
The beneficial effects of regular xylitol use on dental health have since been confirmed by many studies. Two Oulu-based researchers, Professor Matti Uhari and Tero Kontiokari, also proved that short-term use (2-3 months) of xylitol significantly reduced the risk of inflammation of the middle ear among day-care children during the test period.
Xylitol's health-promoting effects on teeth have been proven in many scientific studies. Xylitol cuts off acid attacks, prevents cavities, reduces the amount of plaque and prevents mothers infecting their children with caries. Xylitol also reduces children's ear infections.
Xylitol is a sweetener that occurs naturally. It is found in many fruits and vegetables and is even produced by the human body during normal carbohydrate metabolism. Xylitol is typically manufactured from birch trees or other natural xylan-rich sources. Xylitol is used round the world, mainly as a sweetener in chewing gums and pastilles. Other applications include oral hygiene products such as toothpaste, fluoride tablets and mouthwashes. The pharmaceutical industry uses xylitol as a sweetener in its products.
Plant sterols and stanols to lower cholesterol in the body are already added to a number of Finnish functional foods, mainly margarines, yoghurts, beverages, and even bread. Now a Finnish company Fennobon, which develops, manufactures and markets functional chewing gums and candies, has launched a new xylitol gum containing plant sterols and stanols. XyliDent PRO Reducol chewing gum contains the same plant sterol and stanol ingredient used in many other cholesterol lowering foods. And with xylitol being its only sweetener, it is naturally good for teeth, too.
Xylitol is recommended by professionals worldwide. In 1988 the Finnish Dental Association gave the first xylitol endorsement in the world, followed by the Swedish and Norwegian Dental Associations. Using xylitol products regularly after a meal has become a healthy and common habit in the daily life of many Finns. In 92 % of Finnish day care centres children are using xylitol products daily. This kind of preventive dental care work is globally unique.
In general, almost all chewing gum sold in Finland is sweetened with xylitol. In order to provide some functional benefits the xylitol content in a product should be significant. For example, in some European countries products which are advertised as xylitol products include only a hint of xylitol and the functional benefits are not gained.
More information:
http://www.xylitol.net/eng/
http://www.xylitol.org/
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