Xylitol: Is It As Safe As the Food Industry Says?

Xylitol is being heralded as "our sweet salvation" and not only as a safe sweetener, but also with numerous health benefits.

The truth is that xylitol is a sugar alcohol, like sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, isomalt, and several others. If eaten only in small amounts, you'll probably not suffer any adverse effects. However, sugar alcohols, when eaten in excess can cause gastrointestinal problems, like bloating, intestinal gas and diarrhea.

Safe limits for xylitol consumption, according to xylitol researcher, Bill Misner, Ph.D., are 20-28 grams per day for those weighing over 100 pounds. Children should be limited to 1-2 grams per 10 pounds of body weight per day.

If you start to experience gastrointestinal problems when eating foods with xylitol, you've exceeded your body's tolerance and you need to cut back. In the laboratory, xylitol has caused cancer in test animals in large doses.