Xylitol looks and tastes like table sugar, but it's a natural, low-calorie, low-carb substitute.
Its remarkable properties stem from its unique molecular structure. Most sugar-like molecules have a six-carbon "hexose" unit. Xylitol is a five-carbon "pentitol" sugar. Because of its distinctive arrangement of atoms, bacteria cannot utilise it for energy. This chemical structure inhibits the ability of our bodies to fully metabolise it as well. For this reason, xylitol has a limited effect on blood sugar levels. Its low glycaemic index makes it a terrific solution for carb-counters as well as those trying to lose weight.
