3 ms·

Xylitol is really cool that way. The bacteria waste energy trying to convert it to a form they can use, but they just end up with at a dead end with xylitol-5-p

by mdasen 2mo ago

Xylitol is really cool that way. The bacteria waste energy trying to convert it to a form they can use, but they just end up with at a dead end with xylitol-5-phosphate. Once they realize that they need to get rid of it, they convert it back to xylitol (so it can cross the membrane easier and probably to keep the phosphate). Of course, that means the xylitol is back to fool some other nearby bacteria into wasting its energy. They end up wasting their energy on work that won't help them reproduce and needing to waste more energy getting rid of it.

MengerSponge 2mo ago
In that way I'm like a bacteria. "Ah beans, gotta undo all this work"
wuschel 2mo ago
Sounds interesting, indeed. Just dug up this review [1] that claims there were no adverse effects from any of the interventions, and that after 2.5 to 3 years of use, a fluoride toothpaste containing 10% xylitol may reduce caries by 13% when compared to a fluoride-only toothpaste. I wonder how well bacteria will adapt long term in your mouth to Xylitol exposure through bubble gum based adminstration. [1] Xylitol-containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD010743. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010743.pub2.
- morjom 2mo ago
  Couldnt find any (relatively recent) studies that looked at bacteria over multiple years, but some earlier ones (1&2), or shorter period ones(3), that touch on it (aswell as caries, as that is the prevalent subject) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2758793/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2758793/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1810656/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1810656/ https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.882636/full https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3...
odyssey7 2mo ago
Wouldn’t this also be a problem for gut flora?
- danielheath 2mo ago
  Excessive xylitol consumption causes digestive problems, yes.
- AlanYx 2mo ago
  Not just gut flora. High levels of circulating xylitol (and erythritol for that matter) have been shown in both mouse models and humans to be associated with increased platelet reactivity and elevated 3-year risk of major cardiovascular events. But we're talking significant levels of xylitol/erythritol, such as from keto-friendly ice cream and drinks, not the modest levels from chewing gum, and the dental benefits are well established.
- GuB-42 2mo ago
  It certainly is a problem for the guts of some people. There is a hilarious Amazon review describing the effects of sugar-free gummy bears in rather graphic details. https://old.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/1ktb95/most_helpful_amazon_review_i_wont_be_purchasing/ https://old.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/1ktb95/most_helpful_... I don't know if it is xylitol, but if not, it is another sugar alcohol, like sorbitol, maltitol, erythritol,... that have similar properties
1PlayerOne 2mo ago
I swish xylitol crystal after each meal for five minutes and then spit out. I no longer have plague on my lower bottom teeth, a problem area for most people. I like the fresh minty feel afterward as well. Wish I had learn about this earlier.

by mdasen 2mo ago

MengerSponge 2mo ago

In that way I'm like a bacteria. "Ah beans, gotta undo all this work"

wuschel 2mo ago

Sounds interesting, indeed. Just dug up this review [1] that claims there were no adverse effects from any of the interventions, and that after 2.5 to 3 years of use, a fluoride toothpaste containing 10% xylitol may reduce caries by 13% when compared to a fluoride-only toothpaste. I wonder how well bacteria will adapt long term in your mouth to Xylitol exposure through bubble gum based adminstration. [1] Xylitol-containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD010743. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010743.pub2.

morjom 2mo ago
Couldnt find any (relatively recent) studies that looked at bacteria over multiple years, but some earlier ones (1&2), or shorter period ones(3), that touch on it (aswell as caries, as that is the prevalent subject) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2758793/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2758793/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1810656/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1810656/ https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.882636/full https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3...

odyssey7 2mo ago

Wouldn’t this also be a problem for gut flora?

danielheath 2mo ago
Excessive xylitol consumption causes digestive problems, yes.
AlanYx 2mo ago
Not just gut flora. High levels of circulating xylitol (and erythritol for that matter) have been shown in both mouse models and humans to be associated with increased platelet reactivity and elevated 3-year risk of major cardiovascular events. But we're talking significant levels of xylitol/erythritol, such as from keto-friendly ice cream and drinks, not the modest levels from chewing gum, and the dental benefits are well established.
GuB-42 2mo ago
It certainly is a problem for the guts of some people. There is a hilarious Amazon review describing the effects of sugar-free gummy bears in rather graphic details. https://old.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/1ktb95/most_helpful_amazon_review_i_wont_be_purchasing/ https://old.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/1ktb95/most_helpful_... I don't know if it is xylitol, but if not, it is another sugar alcohol, like sorbitol, maltitol, erythritol,... that have similar properties

1PlayerOne 2mo ago

I swish xylitol crystal after each meal for five minutes and then spit out. I no longer have plague on my lower bottom teeth, a problem area for most people. I like the fresh minty feel afterward as well. Wish I had learn about this earlier.