Don’t Believe the Hype: Sugar Alcohols Like Xylitol Are Neither Sugar nor Alcohol and May Increase Your Risk of Breast Cancer

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9/28/2022Updated: 3/16/2023

If you are on a healing path for any kind, hands down you want to avoid sugar. For the roughly 9% of the U.S. population suffering from diabetes (and the 40% of the population who are said to be “pre-diabetic”), the case against it is clear.

Of course, if you are dealing with cancer, remember that sugar feeds tumors! You may also know that artificial sweeteners aren’t any better, as recent studies have directly linked chemical substances such as aspartame to cancers like leukemia and breast cancer.

But what about so-called “sugar alcohols” such as xylitol, erythitol, mannitol and sorbitol? They are touted in the media as “natural” and good for diabetes and those who want to prevent tooth decay. But how safe are they really?

The Truth About “Sugar Alcohols” Like Xylitol

Sugar alcohols like xylitol are also known as polyols. They can be found in processed foods such as chewing gum, candy, ice cream, baked goods, fruit spreads, frostings, yogurts, tabletop sweeteners and increasingly in the multitude of “diet” and so-called “vitamin infused” beverages on the market today.

The ironic thing about them is that they contain neither sugar nor alcohol. It is true that they are very low in calories and rank low on the glycemic index. The reason for this, however, is that they are highly-refined, processed chemical substances that the body simply cannot absorb at all!

Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that sugar alcohols are “GRAS” (Generally Recognized as Safe), the evidence is mounting that connects these mysterious substances to many disease conditions, including leaky gut, neurological damage and cancer. In fact, even mainstream organizations are concluding that there is “not enough information to confirm” that the various sugar alcohols on the market are safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women, citing animal studies that show tumor growth resulting from regular high-dose consumption.

Xylitol and Erythitol Destroy Your Gut Lining

The most noticeable side effect of consuming sugar alcohols is how they affect your gut. Sugar alcohols interfere with the functioning of the gut lining, the very area where immune cells reside.

Because they are not able to be digested, sugar alcohols will pass through the stomach and land in the small intestine fully intact. After that, a process of “passive diffusion” occurs; the end result is unmetabolized portions which remain in the gut indefinitely.

These particles will eventually begin to rot, creating an environment ripe for bad bacteria and other pathogens to grow. The chemical materials in the gut will also affect the enterocyte cells that line the intestinal wall. With an increased amount of undigested sugar alcohols lying on its surface, the lining becomes weak, which effects the “tight junctions” that are the barrier between the digestive system and the circulatory system.

This entire process leads to what is known as leaky gut, the primary health issue that studies show is connected to dozens of other disease conditions including: autoimmune disease, thyroid disease, metabolic issues, neurological issues and breast cancer.

The Link Between Sugar Alcohols and Cancer

Besides how they affect the gut, the repeated consumption of sugar alcohols are also linked to a higher risk of cancer on several other fronts. First of all, substances such as erythritol and xylitol are created using mostly waste products and GMO substances.

Erythritol is derived from corn sugar, the majority of which comes from genetically-modified corn. Sorbitol comes mostly from GMO cornstarch while xylitol, a carbohydrate naturally found in the birch tree, is manufactured through the combining of birch waste and GMO corn.

In addition, many of these substances, such as mannitol and xylitol, are created by chemical manipulation through hydrogenation. There is hard evidence that both GMO substances and hydrogenation (the process that creates trans fats) can lead to cancer. For example, food products with GMOs have been linked to breast cancer and the process of hydrogenation has been tied to not only cancer but heart disease in multiple studies.

Some recent studies are beginning to connect certain sugar alcohol directly to tumor growth as well. A May 2016 Swedish study published in the journal Oncotarget made the connection between erythritol and Gioblastoma (GBM), a highly aggressive form of brain cancer that forms from the star-shaped cells that make up the supportive tissue of the brain.

At the same time, studies as far back as the late 70’s (when the substance was first being introduced) tied xylitol to not only gallbladder issues but also tumor growth in mice. Xylitol is manufactured using hydrogenation as well as the use of the carcinogenic heavy metal nickel. Granted, scattered evidence shows that xylitol may prevent tooth decay, but is this really worth the cancer risk?

Beware of Sugar Alcohols Disguised as ‘Other Products’

As if you don’t have enough to worry about concerning sugar alcohols, processed food companies, especially beverage companies, are now mixing sugar alcohols with crystaline fructose as well as known carcinogens aspartame and saccharin, for chemical cocktails that are anything but “natural.” Of particular note is Coca-Cola’s Vitamin Water.

According to many integrative healthcare experts, crystalline fructose is worse than high fructose corn syrup – because it does not stimulate insulin receptors. The use of crystalline fructose can also raise triglyceride levels and lead to heavy metal toxicity, especially in the form of arsenic, lead and chloride – which is used in the manufacturing process.

By far, the best option for a sweet tooth is to go natural for vibrant health and toxin-free living. Study after study has proven that all-natural organic Stevia is perfectly safe for the body. In addition, if you are not concerned with glycemic levels, small amounts of raw, regional honey can not only satisfy your sweet tooth but can also be a powerful anti-microbial and immune-stimulator as well.

Republished from NaturalHealth365

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics/2014statisticsreport.html

https://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/foodadditivesingredients/ucm397716.htm

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/xylitol-uses-and-risks?page=2

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/cen-v055n047.p007

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15925533

https://www.abta.org/brain-tumor-information/types-of-tumors/glioblastoma.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27175595

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/trans-fat/art-20046114

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol