Many diseases, including caries, chronic inflammatory diseases, diabetes, and obesity, are associated with uncontrolled sugar consumption. Artificial sweeteners are commonly used in food and pharmaceutical industries as sugar substitutes for the prevention of several dental and body diseases; they also have a favorable impact on body weight as they may help to restrict simple sugar consumption. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is commonly used as a sweetener. It can be found naturally or artificially prepared mainly from plant materials chemically or by fermentation of hemicelluloses from agricultural biomass by yeast or bacteria strains. This polyol has a significant antiplaque effect on teeth surface and can reduce the gingival inflammation; it is being used as a preventive agent for dental caries due to decreasing the growth levels of pathogenic Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sangui at the very early stages. Xylitol can bind with calcium ion leading to consequent remineralization of teeth enamel; it is also able to prevent osteoporosis. This polyol can treat respiratory tract and middle ear diseases due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential and prevent some diseases which cannot be cured through antibiotics or surgery. Xylitol can reduce constipation, diabetes, obesity, and other body syndromes or illnesses; it has also revealed its stimulating effect on digestion and immune system. However, it can produce some side effects such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, nephrolithiasis, etc., when consumed in excessive amounts. Different vehicles are used for delivering the xylitol into the human body, but chewing gums occupy a leading position. The present review is devoted to comprehensive analyses of the positive and negative effects of this polyol on human health.

Key Points

• The health benefits of xylitol are not limited to oral hygiene.

• Xylitol efficiently stimulates the immune system, digestion, lipid and bone metabolism.

• Xylitol helps in glycemic and obesity control; reduces ear and respiratory infections.

• Xylitol treats diseases that cannot be cured through antibiotics or by surgery.

许多疾病，包括龋齿，慢性炎性疾病，糖尿病和肥胖症，都与糖摄入失控有关。人造甜味剂通常在食品和制药行业中用作糖替代品，以预防多种牙齿和身体疾病。它们还对体重产生有利影响，因为它们可能有助于限制简单的糖消耗。木糖醇是一种糖醇，通常用作甜味剂。可以发现它是天然的或人工制备的，主要是通过化学方法或通过酵母或细菌菌株从农业生物质中发酵半纤维素而从植物材料中制备的。这种多元醇对牙齿表面具有显着的抗牙斑作用，可以减轻牙龈发炎。由于降低致病菌的生长水平，被用作龋齿的预防剂变形链球菌和三桂链球菌在早期阶段。木糖醇可以与钙离子结合，从而导致牙釉质的再矿化。它也能够预防骨质疏松症。这种多元醇具有抗菌和消炎作用，因此可以治疗呼吸道和中耳疾病，并可以预防某些无法通过抗生素或手术治愈的疾病。木糖醇可以减少便秘，糖尿病，肥胖症和其他身体综合症或疾病；它也显示出对消化和免疫系统的刺激作用。但是，过量食用会产生一些副作用，例如肠易激综合症，腹泻，肾结石等。用于将木糖醇输送到人体中的载体不同，但口香糖占据主导地位。

关键点

•木糖醇的健康益处不仅限于口腔卫生。

•木糖醇可有效刺激免疫系统，消化，脂质和骨骼代谢。

•木糖醇有助于控制血糖和肥胖症；减少耳朵和呼吸道感染。

•木糖醇治疗无法通过抗生素或手术治愈的疾病。