December 2005
Xylitol finally available in the UK
The New Year traditionally marks the start of millions of diets up and down the country as people try and rid themselves of the excess weight they’ve accumulated over the festive period.
This poses a big problem for cooks and chefs; sugar is one of the dieters worst enemies, but how do you make great tasting desserts without it?.
Help is at hand for 2006 however in the form of a new natural sugar substitute called Perfect Sweet. In the past those wishing to try and cook sweet foods without sugar have had to turn to artificial sweeteners, but these not only don’t act or taste like sugar but they have been at the centre of several health scares and have recently received yet further bad press (‘Cancer Linked To Sweetener – Daily Express – Thursday December the 15th). Perfect Sweet offers a healthy, natural alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners, that not only looks and tastes like sugar it acts in exactly the same way when cooked or baked.
Perfect Sweet is a, completely natural, low carb, low GI sugar substitute with a host of health benefits, making it perfect for dieters, diabetics, children, dental patients, mums-to-be and women at high risk of osteoporosis – as well as anyone concerned about oral health and general well-being. In America the sugar alternative has already become a huge hit with bakeries and restaurants buying it in bulk.
A deliciously sweet alternative to sugar for everyday use, Perfect Sweet is derived entirely from xylitol, a naturally occurring substance found in strawberries, plums and pears. Whilst it looks and tastes just like sugar, it offers a much healthier alternative.
Because xylitol releases its energy much slower than any other sugar or sweetener, people who eat it in the place of sugar feel fuller for longer and are less likely to snack. This makes Perfect Sweet ideal for those on low GI diets, as well as diabetics who need to keep their blood sugar stable.
Xylitol contains 40% fewer calories than conventional sugar and has a GI (Glycemic Index) count of just seven, compared to conventional sugar (which has a GI of 64). That means you would have to eat up to seven times as much Perfect Sweet to have the same effect on your blood sugar – or your hips (‘If you’re following the GI diet and have a sweet tooth, then Perfect Sweet could be the answer to your prayers.’ – Slimming magazine). For those on a low carb diet, xylitol makes an ideal companion too, with 75% fewer available carbohydrates than sugar.
Perfect Sweet has a number of other surprising health benefits (see below), which makes it much more than just another alternative to sugar and it can be used just as sugar in cooking. Added to a range of food and drinks such as tea, coffee, smoothies, cereals, fruit puddings or snacks, Perfect Sweet can turn everyday drinks and food into delicious health products.
“We all know the consequences of our addiction to sugar: weight gain, mood swings, skin problems, diabetes, oral cavities and even infections such as overgrowth of Candida Albicans, which is thought to lead to thrush and many other afflictions,” says Edward Baylis at Perfect Sweet. “But until now there just hasn’t been a satisfactory, non-chemical alternative to sugar. The most exciting thing about Perfect Sweet is that for the first time we have a 100% natural, completely healthy product, that is not only as delicious as the stuff we’re used to, but actually delivers a host of positive health benefits. This is the kind of product parents will be encouraging their kids to eat!”
Priced at £2.69 for a 225g pack, Perfect Sweet is available in selected Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Holland and Barrett and Waitrose stores.
For further information, images and product please contact Daniel Reeds at Healthy by Nature Ltd: Tel: 01526 322543 / 07919203614 or visit www.perfectsweet.co.uk
Please also contact for case studies
Oral Health (teeth), Well being (energy), Weight loss (GL/GI diet).
Further Notes
Oral Health
One of the major discoveries in respect to xylitol was that when it is broken down in the mouth and stomach it produces an alkaline environment, rather than an acidic one like sugar. In this alkaline environment the bacteria that cause tooth decay can’t survive and decay is prevented. The environment which is created also favours calcium and mineral absorption so enamel decay is even seen to be reversed.
Osteoporosis
Increased calcium absorption in the stomach has led to studies observing a much improved bone density (stronger bones) when using xylitol regularly. This could be a huge help for those living with conditions such as osteoporosis.
Bacterial and Yeast Infections
The environment created by xylitol, in which bacteria cannot survive, has further led to the discovery that ear infections, and other bacterial and yeast infections (such as thrush), can help to be prevented when using it. There has been particular interest in the use of xylitol to help prevent ear infections in young children.
Chef2Chef News Desk