How does xylitol compare with other sweeteners in safety and market positioning?

How does xylitol compare with other sweeteners in safety and market positioning?
Xylitol sits between high-intensity sweeteners like aspartame and sugar alcohols like erythritol. It has a clean label as a natural sugar alcohol from corn cobs or wood, non-cariogenic, and with a glycemic response far lower than sucrose. Yet its caloric content (2.5-3 kcal/g) and laxative threshold limit its use in bulk beverages. Erythritol is zero-calorie and better tolerated, while xylitol retains advantages in chewing gum and oral care due to its cooling effect and anti-caries properties. Regulatory acceptance is broad, but the 2024 cardiovascular signal adds scrutiny. In China, xylitol production is concentrated among a few players, with Huakang holding over 50% domestic share, making supply relatively tight compared to erythritol's oversupplied market.