Xylitol

Xylitol aqueous solution demonstrates excellent thermal stability, making it an ideal sweetener for producing health beverages suitable for diabetic consumers. It is approved as a food sweetener under China's GB2760-1996 standard. This compound can serve as an alternative to glucose and fructose as an energy source while also functioning as a key precursor for nucleic acid synthesis and participating in detoxification processes. Since diabetic patients experience insufficient insulin secretion, which prevents the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate, and given that xylitol metabolism is independent of insulin, it does not raise blood sugar levels. Additionally, xylitol effectively suppresses ketone body formation, helps reduce transaminase levels in patients with liver disease, improves liver function, and stimulates fat metabolism. Notably, oral absorption of xylitol shows significant individual variations, potentially related to intestinal microbiota, gastric contents, and genetic factors.

Parameters

 Safety Information

The compound is almost completely metabolized in the body and is rarely excreted unchanged in urine. Clinically, it is utilized for calorie supplementation and fluid replacement, improvement of carbohydrate metabolism, and elimination of ketone body accumulation during insulin deficiency, serving as an effective regulator for abnormal metabolic processes in diabetes. At standard dosage levels, it demonstrates minimal effects on hepatic and renal function, though excessive consumption may result in osmotic diarrhea and fluid-electrolyte imbalance. The recommended maximum daily intake of xylitol should not exceed 50-70 grams. Its applications include use in seasonings, beverages, jams, candies, and baked goods. Due to its resistance to microbial utilization by yeast and bacteria, it functions as both an anti-cariogenic sweetener and a natural preservative.