Is Xylitol safe for diabetics?
Many diabetics use xylitol as a replacement for sugar because it is considered a low glycemic sweetener. In fact, xylitol is only an 11 on the glycemic index. Because the primary goal for nutritional management of diabetes is to maintain near-normal blood glucose levels, polyols, including xylitol, which produce a lower glycemic response than sucrose or glucose may be useful in diabetic diets. Still, people with diabetes should consult their physician, dietitian or other health professional before incorporating xylitol or other sugar alcohols into their daily meal plans.