Like most processed foods and additives, xylitol has it’s own side effects as well.
Some of the side effects I discovered on the website www.livestrong.com. Which I believe has amazing articles and she talks about side effects such as:
- Diarrhea
- Tumors
- Weight gain
- Affects blood-sugar levels
Diarrhea will occur when you use xylitol in large amounts. When you take 40g per day expect a explosion to happen within the hour.
Tumors have been found to develop in adults that consume more than 50g of xylitol in a day. If someone takes xylitol in extremely high doses within a three year period, this may cause tumors to develop in your body. Children need to be limited to no more than 20g a day.
Blood sugar levels will rise in some diabetics when they consume large amounts of sugar alcohols. Moderation is the key or be prepared for some weight gain to go along with the raised blood sugar levels.
Please be sure to keep all xylitol products away from your dogs!! Make sure to keep all candy, gum and medications with xylitol out of reach to any pet. There are warnings posted all over the internet regarding dogs being poisoned from xylitol products. They say xylitol poisoning is more deadly than chocolate!
Curious to find out why we can consume xylitol but dogs can’t?
Well, humans absorb xylitol slowly and has no effect on blood sugar when consumed in small amounts. With dogs xylitol is quickly absorbed into their bloodstream. This will cause them to become hypoglycemic, cause liver failure, bleeding and death.
The effects of xylitol in cats is not clear at this time.