sugar alcohol Sugar Alcohols Oral & topical

Xylitol

A sugar alcohol used as a low-calorie sweetener and in dental products for its cavity-reducing properties.

Sci.(2R,3r,4S)-Pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol 100% pure xylitol corn free xylitol crystalline xylitol granulated xylitol organic xylitol xivia xylitol xylitol granulation xylitol powder xylitol, pure
3 forms
Oral & topical

About Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol (polyol) derived from plant sources like birch wood or corn, used as a low-calorie sweetener and dental care agent. It has a similar sweetness to sucrose but with about 40% fewer calories and a negligible effect on blood glucose and insulin levels. Its primary non-food application is in oral hygiene products, where it is well-established for reducing dental caries by inhibiting the growth of Streptococcus mutans and promoting remineralization.

Official resources

Fact sheets from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements related to this ingredient group.

Dietary Supplement Label Database

Ingredient group data in NutriNav is aligned with the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD).

DSLD group id
8063

At a glance

Approval status

GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) as a food additive and sweetener.

Compare All Forms

3 forms

Compare supplement forms of Xylitol by absorption quality and what your body actually gets from each:

High Moderate Low
Form Absorption Steps to absorb Notes Action
Xylitol

Sugar-free sweetener; supports oral health.

  • UNII: VCQ006KQ1E
  • CAS: 87-99-0
  • Label category: Birch or corn derived
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Xylitol (crystalline/granulated)

Tooth-friendly sweetener; Low glycemic; Sugar-free

  • UNII: VCQ006KQ1E
  • CAS: 87-99-0
  • Label category: hybrid
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Xylitol Powder (micronized)

Sugar-free sweetener; supports dental health; low glycemic i...

  • UNII: VCQ006KQ1E
  • CAS: 87-99-0
  • Label category: natural
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Also appears on labels as

Additional names seen on supplement labels for forms of this ingredient (beyond the main aliases above).

1,2,3,4,5-Pentahydroxypentane, Birch sugar, E967, Xylit, Xylite, Xylitol (granulated)

Type: Sugar Alcohols

Category for Sugar Alcohols ingredients

Watch out for

Possible interactions or cautions — talk to a healthcare provider if unsure.

  • May potentiate the effects of insulin or other hypoglycemic agents, though risk is low due to minimal impact on blood sugar.
  • Concurrent high intake with other sugar alcohols (e.g., sorbitol, mannitol) can exacerbate gastrointestinal side effects like bloating and diarrhea.

Potential Benefits

Benefits associated with Xylitol forms:

Dental Health Prebiotic Effect Dental Caries Prevention Low Glycemic Impact Skin Moisturization & Barrier Support Ear & Sinus Health Support

And 5 more benefits...

Potential Side Effects

Side effects associated with Xylitol forms:

Laxative Effect How serious: Mild Diarrhea (high dose) How serious: Mild Gastrointestinal Discomfort How serious: low Toxicity in Dogs How serious: high Gastrointestinal Distress How serious: low

What does the research say?

Xylitol is one of the most extensively studied sugar alcohols. Strong evidence supports its role in dental caries prevention by inhibiting Streptococcus mutans growth and reducing plaque acidity (multiple clinical trials, systematic reviews). EFSA has approved health claims for tooth remineralization and reduced acid production. Evidence for glycemic benefits is moderate, showing lower glycemic index (~7 vs. 65 for sucrose) and potential insulin-sparing effects. Topical evidence includes moisturizing properties and potential skin barrier support. Some evidence suggests benefits for ear and upper respiratory health via bacterial adhesion inhibition.