How to Identify Xylitol From Sugar

Xylitol is available in the United States as a sugar substitute. Xylitol is a sweetener that might prevent cavities. American consumers want anti-cavity protection and companies oblige by putting xylitol in chewing gum, mints, toothpaste, mouthwash and candy. Xylitol is an expensive sugar substitute. Sorbitol and Manitol are cheaper replacements for xylitol and used more often. When xylitol is used the amount is low and often not listed on the package. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol. Sugar is a grain or powder diluted, but not with alcohol and used in products.

Things You'll Need

• Sugar-free gum
• Regular gum
• Two dishes

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Instructions

• 1

  Look at the list of ingredients on the package. The closer to the beginning of the list the greater the amount of xylitol; ingredients are listed in descending order.

• 2

  Read the entire list of ingredients and determine if the list contains other sugar substitutes. Other sugar substitutes include Sorbitol and Manitol.

• 3

  Inspect the packaging looking for the words "alcohol," "sugar-free" or "sugar alcohol." If the packaging contains these terms then small amounts of xylitol are in the product.

• 4

  Search for the word sugar. Products with sugar do not have xylitol. The consistency of the products is also different.

• 5

  Chew a piece of sugar-free gum and a piece of regular gum. The regular gum is tougher to chew. The sugar-free gum containing sugar alcohol is more pliable.

• 6

  Pour the sugar alcohol in a dish and then pour sugar in a dish. Xylitol is a liquid. Sugar is a powder or granule.