Xylitol

Xylitol ( /ˈzaɪlɪtɒl/; Greek: ξύλον, xyl, "wood" + suffix -itol, used to denote sugar alcohols) is a sugar alcohol sweetener used as a sugar substitute. Xylitol has the formula (CHOH)₃(CH₂OH)₂ and is an achiral isomer of pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol. Xylitol is roughly as sweet as sucrose with 33% fewer calories. Unlike other sweeteners, xylitol is actively beneficial for dental health, reducing caries to a third in regular use, and has been shown to reduce the incidence of ear infections.