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by accrual 888 days ago
Interesting to see Xylitol on the list. I exclusively chew Xylitol gum because I understood it to be healthier in the sense it kills bacteria that consume it, since it's not actually a sugar and bacteria cannot live on it. My favorite is Spry gum.

Healthline [0] includes this piece right in the headline though, so I appreciate the transparency:

> It may have health benefits but could cause digestive issues and other side effects.

Fortunately I don't experience any adverse symptoms and have consumed it for years, but I may be a bit more mindful now.

[0] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/xylitol-101

3 comments

Only issue with Xylitol is that it is deadly poison to most dogs. That particular gum has cost me around $900 in vet bills. And yes, I did learn that my mini golden doodle can unzip jacket pockets. He's ok.
The relevant section of that link:

>but some people experience digestive side effects when they consume too much.

The too much is the important bit. Take too much xylitol (you'd have to intentionally eat a lot of it at once) and it tends to all come out of you in a hurry.

Sugar Alcohols destroy me, but xylitol gum, or sorbitol, has never been a problem. I think the amount is tiny and I don't eat the gum. I chew it a lot, normally Trident.
This is my experience as well. Sugar alcohols make me feel horrible (cramps, nausea, bloating, debilitating fatigue, etc.) but I only get that effect from sugar-free gum specifically if I'm ripping through several pieces in a day. One stick of gum isn't enough to do it.