Hi Jo,
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol.
Sugar alcohols are sugar alcohols no matter which plant they originate from.
Our bodies do not know the difference and handle them the same way.
BTW, NOW Foods Xylitol is made from cornhusk and NOT corn kernels which are LOADED with sugar.
Here's a quote from NOW Foods website about Xylitol:
"
Xylitol is technically not a sugar but rather a sugar alcohol (polyol). Unlike other well-known sugars like sucrose, fructose, sorbitol and dextrose that have 6 carbon atoms, Xylitol contains only 5 carbon atoms. Unlike sugar Xylitol is slowly absorbed, does not cause a rapid blood sugar increase and does not require an immediate insulin response from the body to be metabolized. Its unique characteristic accounts for the fact that this reduced calorie sweetener boasts 40% less caloric impact at 2.4 calories per gram versus 4 calories for sugar. Xylitol provides approximately the same sweetness as sugar with a slight cool sensation."
