My dental hygienist recommended xylitol to me, and I wondered about people's experience with this sweetener?

Well, let me tell you first that it's not without it's benefits. My younger daughter used Xylitol in the nasal spray form as a baby. She had 7 rounds of pneumonia in one year and was being treated with nebulizer and steroids. I read about Xylitol, began using it and took her off dairy products. She cleared within two weeks. Xylitol is known for many things--preventing tooth decay, etc. It has been used for several decades in the U.S. as a food additive and is approved by the FDA.

Fast forward to me--a couple of months ago. I decided that artificial sweetners would be off my list. I moved to Xylitol--the granular type. I loved it in my coffee--I began using it in lots of things right away--on top of berries, in smoothies, etc. About two days in I began cramping and assumed I had a stomach bug. Overnight I lost 3 pounds due to diarrhea. It cleared. My stomach was a little peaked so I did mostly toast and crackers for a couple of days. On the 3rd morning I got up and made my coffee with another dose of the Xylitol. Within an hour or two I began experiencing the same cramps and diarhhea again! After doing some research I learned this was indeed a common side effect for many people.

If you begin using it, I would go sparingly just to make certain you aren't one of "those people."

Reading up on it, I learned that it also acts as a fiber (which is a good thing, right?), which is what causes the stomach problems. Add too much of other types of fiber in too quickly, and it won't be pleasant. I've started on the mints/gum. Strange to have a candy and think that I'm supposed to NOT brush my teeth.

Just keep it away from your pets - I know it's very toxic to dogs!

Very VERY toxic to dogs....a small amount can kill a small dog....