xylitol

American  

[zahy-li-tawl, -tol] / ˈzaɪ lɪˌtɔl, -ˌtɒl /

noun

Biochemistry.

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

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xylitol British  

/ 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

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xylitol Scientific  

/ 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 .

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Etymology

Origin of xylitol

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

Example Sentences

Compared with a control group who received only oral health education, the group who received the education and daily xylitol sugar-free gum had a 24 percent lower rate of preterm birth.

From Washington Post • Jul. 29, 2022

Researchers tested whether chewing gum made with the sweetener xylitol could help.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 3, 2022

Ailments include diabetes, acute kidney failure and seizures, and one canine ate sugar-free gum with xylitol, a toxic ingredient.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 23, 2021

OK, and for body, too — so don't get too crazy and omit or swap the sweetener completely for a sugar-free alternative, like xylitol or stevia.

From Salon • Jul. 4, 2021

“Tinctures are very scary,” said Knepper, who also advises dog owners to keep pets away from edibles that are marketed to diabetics, as they likely contain xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs.

From Washington Times • Mar. 4, 2019