FOOD FOR YOU

NEWSLETTER

GOOD NEWS !
SURPRISINGLY THERE IS A TYPE OF SUGAR
THAT IS GOOD FOR YOU

Isn’t that amazing! We are used to hearing about all the bad things concerning sugar, particularly where our weight is concerned and as a Nutritional Therapist I could make a long list of reasons why you should avoid most forms of sugar like the plague. But it isn’t easy to give it up is it?

Now you can still have a few sweet things in your life and feel a little smug about it because you will know that when you do so you can honestly say that they are good for you.

The name of the type of sugar that is so beneficial is XYLITOL. It looks just like sugar and can be used in exactly the same way (except if you are making bread because it does not activate yeast). And it is NATURAL. It is not a man-made chemical alternative to sucrose.

It was discovered in the 1890s by German and French chemists. It’s found naturally in fruit and vegetables – the richest sources being plums, raspberries and cauliflower – as well as some woods, most notably birch.

So, what is so wonderful about this magical product? Firstly it contains fewer calories than sugar (9.6 calories per 4g teaspoon compared to sugar’s 15.8 calories). This is very good news for dieters.

Secondly it has a lower glycemic index than sugar. This means that once consumed, it is released into the blood stream slowly, which I can assure you is extremely good news; all sorts of problems can arise when the body receives a sudden surge of sugar. For those of you who are aware of glycemic indexes, Xylitol has a GI of 7 and sugar’s figure is 68. This has the added bonus of helping you to overcome cravings for ordinary sugar. As the body does not need to produce as much insulin when you use xylitol it may also be useful for those with diabetes. Diabetics in Russia, Switzerland, Germany and Finland are encouraged to use it as a sugar substitute.

Thirdly it has been shown that it actually promotes healthy teeth and reduces the incidence of ear infection. Studies show that it helps to create an alkaline environment in the mouth, which is ideal. Sugar has the opposite effect. Scientists have also discovered that ear, nose, throat and mouth infections caused by bacteria are reduced by Xylitol because it stops the bacteria from attaching to tissues in the mouth and upper respiratory tract.

Fourthly research shows positive effects on bone re-calcification, suggesting that Xylitol may help those living with osteoporosis.

Fifthly, it is a form of pre-biotic. This is a word now found on the labels of an increasing number of foods and drinks as more and more manufacturers add them to their products. Pre-biotics help sustain the ‘friendly bugs’, or probiotics, in your gut. These are essential to the correct functioning of the digestive tract and your immune system.

And lastly yeast cannot feed on Xylitol making it an ideal sugar replacement for those on an anti-candida diet. As the diet you need to follow to rid yourself of Candida albicans can be very strict and prolonged, this is fantastic news.

So where can you get this product that sounds too good to be true? It is easily available. Most large supermarkets stock it under the name of Perfect Sweet and many Health Food Shops will have it. The highly reputable supplement company Higher Nature sell it under the name of Zylosweet. They can be contacted by freephone on 0800 458 4747 or through the internet at www.highernature.co.uk

But of course, like everything that sounds too good to be true, it does have a downside. It is sadly more expensive than normal sugar. And if you really want to lose weight, it isn’t as simple as just swapping to Xylitol instead of sugar. Although it will help and mean that you can still have some sweet things in your diet, you will still need to eat sensibly to achieve really impressive results.