xylitol

[ zahy-li-tawl, -tol ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a naturally occurring pentose sugar alcohol, C 5 H 12 O 5 , used as a sugar substitute.

xylitol

/ ˈzaɪlɪˌtɒl /

noun

1. chem an artificial sweetener produced from xylose and used esp in chewing gum. Formula: CH 2 HOH(CHOH) 3 CH 2 OH

xylitol

/ zī′lĭ-tôl′,-tōl′ /

1. A sweet white crystalline alcohol derived from xylose and used as a sugar substitute. Chemical formula: C 5 H 12 O 5 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of xylitol¹

< German Xylit (1891), equivalent to Xyl ( ose ) xylose + -it -ite ¹; -itol

Word History and Origins

Origin of xylitol¹

C19: from xyl ( ose ) + -ite ² + -ol ¹

Example Sentences

Previous studies have shown that chewing xylitol gum leads to fewer cavities and suggest it can reduce inflammation.

From Science News

Another troublemaker is xylitol, an artificial sweetener that sometimes appears in baked goods.

From Popular-Science

Xylitol Nasal Spray - xylitol is a sugar alcohol and has antibacterial properties.

From The Daily Beast