How does xylitol aid in preventing middle ear infections?
During 1990, an estimated 24.5 million visits were made to office-based physicians in the United States at which the principal diagnosis was a middle ear infection, or otitis media. Xylitol acts by suppressing the growth of the nasopharyngeal bacteria responsible. Well-controlled studies in children demonstrate that using xylitol sweetened chewing gum reduces or prevents the recurrence of Acute Otitis Media or AOM (17).
