Ingredient Spotlight: Xylitol
In collaboration with our friends, Total Sweet Xylitol. Save 10% on your first order with code SWEET10.*
What is Xylitol?
Xylitol, also known as 'birch sugar', has been used around the world as a sugar alternative for decades.
The word comes from the Greek word 'Xyl' meaning wood, as it was first extracted from birch trees after the Second World War when sugar was in short supply. Today Xylitol is used around the world, as it is a naturally occurring sweet-tasting substance that looks and tastes just like sugar, but provides a wide scope of healthy benefits.
Where does Xylitol come from?
Xylitol is found in a whole host of plants and fruits including; birch trees, raspberries, plums and strawberries. It is even made in small amounts by the human body, but not all Xylitol is the same.
Why we love Total Sweet Xylitol...
As with all ingredients, there are different qualities of Xylitol available on the market due to the different sources it can be extracted from. The Xylitol used in Total Sweet is of the highest quality, derived from sustainably sourced European Birch and Beechwood and is GMO-free.
Total Sweet Xylitol is easy to use as it can be substituted at a 1:1 ratio for sugar in cooking, baking and in your favourite hot drinks. For example, if a recipe calls for 100g of sugar, you can swap this out for 100g of Total Sweet Xylitol. It looks like sugar and tastes like sugar.
What are the health benefits?
Total Sweet Xylitol has a low GI value of just 7, by far the lowest of any sugar alternative on the market and around 10 times lower than sugar. This means it won't affect your blood sugar levels and will reduce cravings.
Total Sweet has 40% fewer calories than sugar and less than half the 'available' carbohydrates (those absorbed and used by the body) of sugar, making it suitable for those with diabetes and those following a keto diet.
Total Sweet Xylitol is actively good for your teeth. Xylitol has been shown to create an alkaline environment in the mouth, fighting cavities and reducing plaque. The alkaline environment encourages the absorption of calcium, providing the building blocks teeth need to stay strong and healthy.
Where can I learn more?
You can learn more about Total Sweet Xylitol, the benefits and supporting journals as well as recipe inspiration on their website and over on their Instagram.
Save 10% off your first online order when you use the code SWEET10. *Offer ends 28/02/2023.