Xylitol

A sweetener used as a sugar replacement, often in diabetic and slimming diets. It is a naturally occurring sugar in foods such as fruit, vegetables, mushrooms and oats and is often found in chewing gum and confectionary. Xylitol contains 40 per cent fewer calories and 75 per cent fewer carbohydrates than normal table sugar, and so could help with weight loss. However, too much xylitol consumption can result in stomach discomfort such as bloating, flatulence and diarrhoea. It is an effective replacement for diabetics as it does not have the same effect on blood sugar levels as sugar does and has a lower GI, as it is absorbed more slowly.