Effects of Oral Xylitol Administration on Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in Normal Subjects

Abstract

Oral tolerance tests with 30 and 50 g of xylitol were performed in 10 normal subjects adapted to taking this pentitol. A 50 g oral glucose tolerance test served as control. Continuous indirect calorimetry was carried out in 7 of these subjects to measure the effects on the metabolic rate and on the oxidation rates of carbohydrate and fat. A small and short rise in serum xylitol and low quantities of xylitol excretion in urine were observed in both xylitol tests. Xylitol caused a small but statistically significant increase in blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations. Plasma free glycerol diminished significantly. After xylitol the metabolic rate rose throughout the test period but the total increase was only half of that after glucose administration. There was no significant influence of xylitol on the oxidation rates of carbohydrate and lipids. The total increase in carbohydrate oxidation during 2/2 hours amounted to one fourth of that caused by glucose. It is suggested that xylitol, during the first two hours after ingestion, charges the body’s metabolism much less than equal amounts of glucose. Therefore, the use of xylitol as a sweetener in the diet of diabetic patients seems to be justified.

Effects of xylitol on carbohydrate digesting enzymes activity, intestinal glucose absorption and muscle glucose uptake: a multi-mode study

“…Among other functions, insulin produced in the body helps to stimulate the uptake of circulating glucose by active respiratory cells for energy production, thus blood glucose homeostasis is maintained. 34 Müller-Hess et al 35 reported that blood glucose and serum insulin were significantly increased by oral administration of 30 or 50 g of xylitol in normal subjects. 35 Other studies reported that 3-5 weeks oral administration of 10% (657.25 mM) xylitol increased serum insulin in both normal 6 and diabetic rats.…”

“…34 Müller-Hess et al 35 reported that blood glucose and serum insulin were significantly increased by oral administration of 30 or 50 g of xylitol in normal subjects. 35 Other studies reported that 3-5 weeks oral administration of 10% (657.25 mM) xylitol increased serum insulin in both normal 6 and diabetic rats. 9,11 Since inadequate circulating glucose uptake could partly contribute to the observed hyperglycemia in diabetic rats, 36 it was therefore rational to investigate the effects of xylitol on glucose uptake in isolated rat psoas muscle.…”

“…34 Müller-Hess et al 35 reported that blood glucose and serum insulin were significantly increased by oral administration of 30 or 50 g of xylitol in normal subjects. 34 Müller-Hess et al 35 reported that blood glucose and serum insulin were significantly increased by oral administration of 30 or 50 g of xylitol in normal subjects.…”

Suitability of Sugar Alcohols as Antidiabetic Supplements: A Review

“…In human studies, it has been observed that oral administration of xylitol causes small increase in blood glucose in healthy and diabetic patients [ 62 – 64 ]. Similarly, plasma insulin concentrations do not upsurge [ 62 ] or only moderately increase after the administration of xylitol [ 64 ].…”

“…In human studies, it has been observed that oral administration of xylitol causes small increase in blood glucose in healthy and diabetic patients [ 62 – 64 ]. Similarly, plasma insulin concentrations do not upsurge [ 62 ] or only moderately increase after the administration of xylitol [ 64 ]. Xylitol in comparison to glucose in healthy non-obese men after ingestion had significantly lower increases in plasma glucose and insulin concentrations [ 65 ].…”