Smart Sweet Real Birch Xylitol 1.5lbs No GMO, Corn, Wheat, Soy, Dairy or Gluten

I am always looking for an alternative sweetener to get away from fructose. Most of the artificial sweeteners on the market are terrible for your health - I will name splenda as one of the worse. Stevia is made directly from the dried leaves of the Stevia plant so that is acceptable, but I find it kind of bitter and it is very expensive. You can google "xylitol benefits" and get all kinds of interesting information, but I will just reiterate some of the very interesting benefits I found when googling:Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol that has been recognized by dentists and health professionals worldwide as a great alternative to white sugar.Commonly found in chewing gum and breathmints, Xylitol is known to have a many health benefits associated with its use.1. Safe For DiabeticsUnlike sugar, xylitol is not easily converted to fat. Because it is not easily converted to fat, it has almost no effect on insulin levels, making it a safe sugar alternative for diabetics, body builders, dieters, pregnant/nursing women, and also for babies and children.2. Helps Prevent CavitiesSince it is a non-fermentable sugar, it cannot be converted to acid by oral bacteria. Thus, the alkaline-acid balance in the mouth is maintained, which helps in preventing cavities.3. Helps Prevent Ear InfectionsXylitol can also be used as medicine in prohibiting certain bacterial growth to help prevent ear infections in young children. It will also help clear out earwax and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the pharyngotympanic tubes, connecting the nose and ear.4. Slows the Growth of CandidaXylitol helps prevent bad breath, ulcers, and stomach cancer by slowing down the growth of Candida Albicans (a serious yeast infection), and other harmful bacteria like H. pylori.5. May Improve Bone DensityAccording to research from the University of Oulu in Finland, xylitol was shown to help improve bone density in rats. This indicates it has potential as a treatment for osteoporosis in humans. For optimal bone health, it is recommended that you eat foods high in calcium or take a calcium supplement.6. Helps Tooth Enamel & StrengthIn addition to preventing cavities, consuming xylitol in small amounts helps decrease plaque formation, and promotes salivation to prevent "dry mouth", which aids in enhancing mineral absorption for repairing damaged tooth enamel, while increasing tooth strength.7. Increases White Blood Cell ActivityXylitol, when taken in small amounts, can help increase the white blood cell activity in fighting bacterial infections, to help build immunity, protect against chronic degenerative disease and have anti-aging benefits.8. Prevents Streptococcus mutans In NewbornsWhen used by nursing mothers on a regular basis, it helps reduce the transmission of Streptococcus mutans (oral bacteria that causes cavities) to children by up to 80% during the first two years.9. May Help With Allergies & Sinus Infection'sWhen used as a nasal spray, xylitol is said to be able to help reduce the prevalence of sinus infections, asthma and allergies. It helps decrease the amount of harmful bacteria that may be in the cells of our nose.10. May Lower Risk of Ovarian CystsXylitol may help lower your risk of developing ovarian cysts, polycystic ovarian syndrome (a condition that disrupts or stops the ovulation cycle), fibroids, endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome and possibly breast cancer.So, there appear to be a lot of benefits. For negatives, there are a couple. If you are looking for xylitol on the market, you will find that most of the xylitol offerings come from corn sources. Now, almost all corn is GMO and I personally stay away from genetically modified food. So, looking for xylitol from some other source, I ran across this brand which uses organic birch trees. The other negative is that xylitol can cause gas in some people. It really bothers my wife, so she stays away from it in food. It does make me a little gassy, but if you use it in small amounts, it appears to be fine. I like to use it in mixed alcoholic drinks instead of sugar. I tried to slip some into some muffins I made, but my wife detected the after-effects, so she put a kibosh on that use around the house.So, it is kind of expensive, but this 1.5 lbs will get you by if you use it to sweeten coffee, mixed drinks, etc. It does taste pretty close to regular sugar and it does have some health benefits as stated above. I like it in muffins and other baked goods - I just have to eat whatever I make by myself since the wife does not like the after-effects. If you are a non-GMO person, then this is the brand for you.

Roxter gave a great review on this product. I just wanted to stress the source of Xylitol is extremely important. We need to avoid the use of ALL corn sugars. Most of us want to eat healthy, many read labels and no longer buy HFCS and look for a healthier alternative. Xylitol, on the surface appears to be that alternative. Until we realize most is now made from corn. Most Xylitol USED to be made from Birch wood, but the Corn Sugar industry will stop at nothing to deceive the masses into consuming corn!I used to by another brand of Xylitol,(Xclear Xylosweet), and the last time I bought it I noticed not only the bag had changed, but also the appearance & texture. The bag no longer described the health benefits of Xylitol and that it helps prevent ear infections and cavities. One day I was looking on iherb dot com for xylitol and noticed a brand claim it was from Non-GMO corn. Hmm. So I called Xylosweet and asked what the source of plant was. The woman said she didn't know and didn't answer any of my questions. I threw out that new bag that cost almost $30 from my local health food store. I also threw out the Spry chewing gum and mints that were in my cupboard.After doing a web search for Birch Xylitol I found the website for Smart Sweet. I promptly purchased 2 containers. After running out I came to Amazon to see if Smart Sweet was offered here and YIPPY! Not only is it here, but it costs a bit less here, especially buying 2 bags. I also buy the Xponent Xtra  Xponent Xtra Birch Xylitol Gum 50pc and B-Fresh gum (also here on Amazon available in several flavors) Spearmint Gum 100 Pieces  as they are the only gums with birch xylitol. All the rest I've found are from corn.Go to: www dot xylitol-brand-comparison dot com for more info on All Xylitol Is Not Created Equal and The Truth About Birch Xylitol.A good website for health is: knowthecause dot com.Do your own research on all health issues. Then search for the best products and read reviews to help make up your mind what is best for you and your family. For us, we use Smart Sweet products and local raw honey for our sweetener needs.We all can achieve better health if we look out for each other and share our knowledge. And as I said before, do your own research, become informed, talk with your doctor, and then make your decision for yourself. Don't follow anyone's advice blindly, including your doctor. They aren't perfect and they can and do make mistakes, more often than you think.Be well...

If you haven't discovered the many benefits of replacing sugar, fake sugar substitutes like Splenda (Sucralose), Sweet n' Low, and Equal . . . or even healthier sweeteners like agave and honey with Xylitol, then I invite you to do some research. Also, unlike those others, Xylitol actually looks and tastes like sugar! It provides a refreshing cooling sensation, too. It is literally a lifesaver for diabetics and for anyone looking to reduce their sugar intake. Xylitol also has amazing benefits like how it fights tooth decay, can strengthen enamel, is a natural anti-bacterial agent. This results in a less acidic atmosphere in the mouth. It can also help prevent ear infections, clears nasal passages, and reduces intraocular pressure.It is not free in calories but is very low (40% less than sugar). Not all Xylitol brands are created equal, though. Smart Sweet is the best tasting, highest quality Xylitol that I have found, and here is why: it isAll NaturalGMO Free100% PureZero CaloriesZero Glycemic IndexTastes GreatGluten, Wheat and Soy Free

Making our toothpaste and mouth wash with this great product! Real Birch xylitol! Our mouth wash is 1:4 xylitol, 3:4 water and a few peppermint and frankincense oil drops. In small jar and shake it up, xylitol will melt after a but, shake up and you have Christmas candy cane mouth wash. Also try Vanilla, Wintergreen, Spearmint, etc or whatever oil flavor you like.Great fit for baking with NO after taste... Just like white sugar.... No husband or picky kid will know. (NOT like Stevia, it leaves l weird after taste) Truly a good, tooth healthy, body healthy sugar! Seriously like white sugar.