Xylitol is extracted from birch wood chips and is used in chewing gums and jam. Sweeteners come in granular and liquid form. The Upside Most sweeteners are simple carbohydrates quickly absorbed by the body to produce a burst of energy, helpful for people doing athletic activities or hard physical work. Sweets can delight the palate and provide emotional satisfaction. Sugar use may lead to tooth decay.
Oral bacteria feed on sugar, producing plaque.
Acids under the plaque cause tooth decay. Sugar may have an effect on hypoglycemia and diabetes . Although researchers have conjectured that excess consumption of sugars stresses the pancreas, leading to hypoglycemia or diabetes, no conclusive evidence proves this to be true. People with these conditions must moderate sugar intake to avoid severe reactions, symptoms, or long-term health risks. Artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, manitol, acesulfame-K, and saccharine are under investigation for possible links to cancer.