I've been reading about Xylitol recently and it seems like a really good sugar replacement. It supposedly has 40% less calories than sugar (2.6kcal/g), negligible insulin response, no aftertaste and even possesses some dental/oral health benefits and anti-bacterial properties.

It's not all rosy, of course. It can cause diarrhea if you consume too much (most people can tolerate about 40g/day, apparently) and 40% less calories than sugar is still a lot of calories when compared to sweetners like splenda, stevia, etc.

If anyone has used xylitol, I'd love to hear their thoughts on it.

I wanted to ask you forum-ers if you've tried xylitol so I searched for it and found this thread!!

Anyway, I wanted to recommend it and bring it to your attention because it IS a fabulous sugar substitute which has benefits far beyond just being lower in calories.

According to my research it is GOOD for your teeth, helps fight infections, and keeps your blood sugar stable.

The only drawback is that it's kind of expensive. $13 for a 2lb bag from NOW Foods...

The only drawback is that it's kind of expensive. $13 for a 2lb bag from NOW Foods...

Yeah, that is what put me off it too, considering it is the same sweetness as sugar, spoon for spoon, yet costs many time that of sugar.

I will stick to my Stevia thanks, much cheaper buck for buck.

Yeah, that is what put me off it too, considering it is the same sweetness as sugar, spoon for spoon, yet costs many time that of sugar.

I will stick to my Stevia thanks, much cheaper buck for buck.

Really? Pound for pound I can't find it cheaper than Xylitol...?

Unless it's more potent?

Well if you consider that the tip of a steak knife is equal to one teaspoon of sugar, stevia comes out tops.

Point taken!! Thanks!

How's the taste?

I love it and use it in everything except coffee. Coffee is the only thing I feel it reacts badly too, the taste is not good in coffee.

It does take some getting used to as it is very strong but you develop a taste for it and now I actually prefer it to real sugar.

I love it, but I recommend erythritol over it. Erythritol is also a sugar alcohol, but a lottttt less calories and tastes just like xylitol but not quite as sweet.

I second the Erythritol recomendation. VERY low in calories and in has no inpact on blood sugar. Some other sugar alcohols can inpact blood sugar and since I'm on a controlled carb diet, Erythritol rocks! Try netrition.com They tend to have the best prices on the sugar alcohols. Stevia has always kinda bothered me with it's aftertaste.

Here's where I get mine.
http://shop.emeraldforestxylitol.com/erythritol.aspx.
Pretty cheap imo.

Thanks for the recommendation guys, but I'm going to stick to xylitol because of its anti-fungal/anti-infection characteristics...