There is a strong consensus that Americans get too much sugar in our diets. As a result, there are sugar substitutes in a number of popular foods and beverages and also in some medications. One of those is xylitol. What do you know about it? One reader asked this question.
Will Xylitol Harm Me?
Q. I received an unsolicited newsletter that gave a list of harmful ingredients in medications. On the list was xylitol.
I’ve been using Xlear spray two times per day for allergies and chewing Trident gum daily for some years. Both Xlear spray and Trident contain xylitol.
Please tell me what this ingredient is doing to me.
A. Xylitol is a sugar substitute originally derived from xylose in birch bark. Raspberries and mushrooms as well as other fruits and vegetables contain small amounts of this compound. The xylitol used in commercial products like chewing gum, lozenges, toothpaste or sugar-free candy is primarily made by processing corncobs.
Don’t Get Too Much Xylitol:
Like sorbitol or maltitol, which are also used as sugar substitutes, xylitol can cause bloating, flatulence and diarrhea if it is consumed in large enough quantities.
Xylitol in modest amounts may have health benefits, however. Children who chew gum with this sweetener may have fewer ear infections. It may also discourage cavities (Archives of Oral Biology, June 6, 2016).
Xylitol Is Not for Dogs!
The big problem with xylitol comes with any canine companions. This compound is quite toxic to dogs and must be kept away from them. Since some dogs have an amazing talent for getting into things they shouldn’t, it might be safest to keep sugar-free gums, candies and medications in closed or even latched drawers or cupboards if there are dogs in the house.
In one case, a Chihuahua developed liver failure after getting into the xylitol in a sugar bowl (Journal of Medical Toxicology, June, 2016). Dogs may develop vomiting, lethargy and low blood sugar (Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, Sep-Oct., 2015). With intensive emergency treatment, many dogs survive, as the Chihuahua did. It would be better not to tempt fate, however.
We heard from one reader, RL, an important warning about xylitol and dogs:
“Your discussion concerning xylitol caught my eye. I work part time veterinary emergency medicine. I wish you would have warned people that one stick of xylitol gum is likely to be fatal to a 20 # dog. Blood glucose drops quickly to comatose levels. Within 12 hours or so there is liver and kidney failure, even with vigorous treatment. I contacted Mars Corp and suggested they put warnings on their packages. I was ignored.”
