Get Your Sweets Without Being Sorry

Everybody knows that too much sugar is bad for you, yet people continue to indulge in sweet treats such as ice cream, cookies, sodas, etc.  The high rate of blood sugar problems is bringing out the effects of our high consumption of sugar.  Diabetes and obesity are on a rampage as insulin resistance increases, and cavities damage the teeth of many children and most adults.

The average adult consumes over 180 pounds of sugar each year! That’s over 13,000 pounds of sugar during an average lifetime. Many of us will end up eating even more than that.

Refined sugar foods typically contain little or no proteins, vitamins and minerals, forcing the body to leach these nutrients from body stores. But that’s not all.

High-sugar diets:
• Dramatically affect insulin levels, which may lead to diabetes and actually turn on the genes that accelerate aging.
• Contribute heavily to elevated triglycerides, high cholesterol and obesity.
• Increase risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Artificial sweeteners have attempted to replace sugar, but these products don’t taste like sugar and they bring along with them a list of side effects.  Now nature offers a real sugar replacement with all the taste of sugar without the harmful effects – Xylitol.

What Is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a natural compound that looks and tastes just like sugar. In fact, our bodies already digest the xylitol found in fruits, vegetables and other organic substances. Our bodies actually produce about 15 grams of xylitol each day as part of normal metabolism. Nature’s Sweet Life xylitol is derived from non-genetically modified corn, making it completely natural. Xylitol has a safe track record; it has been used for over 40 years around the world and is approved in the U.S. for use in unlimited quantities in food. Nature’s Sweet Life xylitol is gluten-free and does not contain any corn residue. Because corn is a renewable resource, Nature’s Sweet Life xylitol is also considered an environmentally friendly product.

Sweeten Your Life with Xylitol

Nature’s Sunshine’s new xylitol-based products help you replace the harmful sugar in your life with an all-natural, healthful alternative. Discovered in 1891, xylitol is supported by over 1,500 scientific studies and papers and is approved by the FDA and the World Health Organization. Its low glycemic index of 7 (table sugar has a glycemic index of 87) means that it has no significant effect on blood sugar or insulin production. Xylitol also contains 40 percent fewer calories than regular sugar and fewer carbohydrates, making it perfect for fighting the war on obesity. New studies also suggest that xylitol actually helps suppress appetite.*

Xylitol also provides tremendous oral health benefits. Bacteria in the mouth break down regular sugar for food, resulting in the production of tooth-destroying acid. But bacteria can’t break down xylitol. Regular xylitol consumption has shown a reduction in plaque buildup, gum disease and cavities.

This safe, delicious alternative to sugar can be used daily.  Many years of research have shown that xylitol is the safest, most healthful sugar substitute on the market.  It is odorless, white and has the same sweetness and consistency as sugar.

When you use Nature’s Sweet Life’s unique xylitol-enhanced oral care products, you say goodbye to cavity-causing plaque and hello to a new, radiant smile. Tooth decay and gum disease are serious health problems. According to the American Dental Association, 75% of American Adults over the age of 35 suffer from some form of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease takes two forms, gum inflammation (gingivitis), and a more severe gum disease called periodontitis, both of which may lead to receding gums and tooth loss. Bleeding gums are usually the first indication that periodontal disease is developing, but obvious symptoms may not always be present.

Nature’s Sweet Life xylitol-enhanced products supplement dental health and fight periodontal disease by creating an unwelcome environment for bacteria in the mouth. Our dental care products contain the highest concentrations of xylitol possible for maximum health benefits.

Xylitol As Sugar Replacement

It is heat stable and can replace sugar in most recipes.  Use only 50-75% of what the recipe calls for.   Xylitol does not feed yeast so you can’t use it in breads as the sweetener that feeds the yeast.  It does not brown or caramelize so it is not suggested for making hard candies. Bulk Xylitol comes in a one-pound zip-lock bag.

History of Xylitol

Xylitol was first extracted from the birch tree over 100 years ago but was not manufactured commercially until the sugar shortages of WWII. When people began to replace their regular sugar with xylitol, they soon noticed fewer cavities. That’s when scientists began studying xylitol’s health benefits.

Xylitol Science

The remarkable properties of xylitol stem from its unique molecular structure. Most sugar-like molecules have a six-carbon “hexose” unit. Xylitol is a five-carbon or “pentitol” sugar. Because of its distinctive arrangement of atoms, bacteria cannot utilize it for energy. This chemical structure inhibits the ability of our bodies to fully metabolize it as well.

For this reason, xylitol has a very limited effect on blood sugar levels, making it the perfect sweetener for those concerned with blood sugar balance. Its low glycemic index of 7 makes it a terrific solution for carb-counters as well as those trying to lose weight. In comparison, table sugar has a glycemic index of 87.

Xylitol has other health benefits. Over 20 years of research and 1,500 scientific papers have confirmed that xylitol inhibits the ability of bacteria to adhere to the tissue in the mouth, nose, throat and respiratory tract.

The most damaging acid to teeth is the lactic acid produced by the fermentation of sugar by bacteria in the mouth. Lactic acid reduces your mouth’s pH level and deteriorates tooth enamel, creating cavities. Because bacteria cannot ferment pentose sugars, xylitol makes the mouth inhospitable for these harmful organisms and therefore beneficial for oral health.

Xylitol has also been found to refresh and moisturize a dry mouth and throat, reduce bad breath and neutralize unpleasant tastes in the mouth. Xylitol has been given the FDA’s safest rating and is endorsed by health and dental professionals around the world. You might say that xylitol is the natural sweetener the world has been waiting for—a sweetener that is actually good for you!

Effective Dental Care

 Unlike sugar, xylitol can be left on the teeth overnight. The presence of xylitol in the mouth discourages bacteria from growing and interferes with the formation of cavity-causing plaque. To obtain the maximum benefits of xylitol, use 4-12 grams each day.

Cutting the Cravings

If you’ve been reading your labels on the foods you buy, you probably think there isn’t anything made without sugar.  It’s quite a job to avoid sugar completely.  Fortunately, Nature’s Sunshine provides a few products that can help to cut the sugar cravings.

SugarReg – A formula developed for those who have trouble keeping their sugar levels down.  This combination offers 8 nutrients that help support blood sugar and insulin levels.

Chromium GTF – Many people are deficient in chromium because the soils are becoming so deficient in minerals so we do not have access to them in the foods we eat.  Sugar promotes chromium loss within the body. This essential trace mineral is an important cofactor for insulin and sugar metabolism.

Licorice Root – This herb is well known for those who have low blood sugar problems, which is called Hypoglycemia.  Licorice Root supports the adrenal glands and it is naturally sweet to satisfy our body’s desire for sugar.

*King NA, Craig SA, Pepper T, Blundell JE, British J. Nut., 2005 Jun, 93 (6):911-5; Evaluation of the independent and combined effects of Xylitol and polydestrobe consumed as a snack on hunger and energy intake over 10 days.

Warning: Xylitol, like chocolate, grapes and certain other foods, should not be consumed by pets.