Gummy bears that fight plaque

Medicine & Health / Other

The tooth-protecting sugar substitute xylitol has been incorporated into gummy bears to produce a sweet snack that may prevent dental problems. Research published today in the open access journal BMC Oral Health describes how giving children four of the xylitol bears three times a day during school hours results in a decrease in the plaque bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is frequently used as a sweetener. It has been shown to reduce levels of the harmful mutans streptococci (MS) bacteria that are known to cause tooth decay. While xylitol chewing gums are available, they are not considered to be suitable for younger children.

This research was led by Kiet A. Ly from the University of Washington. He says, "For xylitol to be successfully used in oral health promotion programmes amongst primary-school children, an effective means of delivering xylitol must be identified. Gummy bears would seem to be more ideal than chewing gum."

The children in the study were given four bears three times a day, containing different concentrations of xylitol. The results show that after six weeks of gummy bear snacking, the levels of harmful MS bacteria in the children's plaque was significantly reduced. According to Ly "Based on our findings, it is feasible to develop a clinical trial of a gummy-based caries prevention programme. Such a study is now being carried out in the East Cleveland primary school district (Ohio, USA)."

Tooth decay is one of the most common diseases in the world. The distribution of Xylitol gummy bears in the school setting may help to reduce the burden of this foremost chronic childhood disease in Europe and the US.

Source: BioMed Central

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Posted by Egnite 07/25/08 10:26

Rank: 2.67/5 after 3 votes

According to wiki, this stuff tastes the same as sucrose but with 2/3 the food energy. Could they not replace all sugar in sweets with this to make sweets a lot healthier? Then when little piggies each too many, instead of getting fat, they will get the runs.

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Posted by Simonsez 07/25/08 12:26

Rank: 4.67/5 after 3 votes

We also don't know what long term effects (such as cancer or gene mutation) xylitol, or for that matter sucralose/sugar alcohol, may cause. Yes, let's put more brand new chemicals on the market and grow a generation on them!

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Posted by jonath 07/25/08 14:16

Rank: 5/5 after 2 votes

Check your facts, Simon; xylitol has been on the market for decades. It is not a new chemical anymore than sucrose, it is simply a sugar formed naturally within birch sap, corn cobs and other natural sources. It has no glycemic index and is not metabolized by insulin, thus is safe for diabetics and others who prefer not to glycate their tissues. Only downside is over-consumption yields diahrrea, and it does cost more than ubiquitous health hazard sugar (mostly due to government subsidy)
Xylitol is antibacterial, good for teeth, and is often prescribed by MD's as a nasal wash to kill sinus infections. It has been used in gums and candies for 25 years. Check it out before your chemical conspiracy theory consumes you.

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Posted by Mercury_01 07/25/08 16:18

Rank: 4.67/5 after 3 votes

Yeah, Ive been slamming this stuff right into my neck for decades, and my teeth have never been shinyer. Minus the track marks and the chronic explosive diarrea, Im in tip top shape!