Diet and Nutrition

Gummy Bears That Contain Xylitol Can Reduce Cavities

Gummy Bears That Contain Xylitol Can Reduce Cavities

A new study has shown that gummy bears made of xylitol, a sugar substitute, can prevent cavities in children. In this study, 154 students from first to fifth grade of an elementary school in Washington were recruited. The students were given four gummy bears made with xylitol or malitol three times a day during school hours. All the participants were checked for the presence of plaques and bacteria at the beginning of the study and after six weeks.

Results showed that children who had xylitol gummy bears had a significant reduction in the bacterial build up that leads to cavities. Kiet A. Ly with the University of Washington, the lead author of the study, remarked that gummy bears may be a better choice than gum. Ly feels that gummy bears are the ideal means of delivering xylitol to prevent cavities and is better than gum. The results of the study are published in the journal, BMC Oral Health