Is xylitol an effective treatment for oral candida infections?

Xylitol is widely becoming a safe and effective option for the prevention of dental caries. Xylitol is naturally found in low concentrations in the fibres of many fruits and vegetables, and can be extracted from various berries, oats, and mushrooms, as well as fibrous material such as corn husks and sugar cane bagasse and birch (Xylitol Canada, 2012). Chemically, xylitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol that prevents the growth of bacteria and enhances alkalinity compared to sugar, which is a six-carbon sugar alcohol that promotes bacteria and fungi growth, and is acid forming (Ashley and Barbieri, 2005). The structure of xylitol means it can be transported through the gut wall barrier, and through saliva it may remineralise enamel before dental caries form (Remacle and Reusens, 2004). When bacteria enter the body, they adhere to the tissues using a variety of sugar complexes. The open nature of xylitol and its ability to form many different sugar-like structures appears to interfere with the ability of many bacteria to adhere to tissues (Sellman, 2003).