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What are NET CARBS?
Counting net carbs is based on the premise that certain carbohydrates contribute to increased blood glucose (sugar) levels, while others do not. Low carb diets (such as the Atkins diet) consider fibre, sugar-alcohols and other similar carbohydrates to be "non-impact carbs, meaning that our bodies can't metabolise or use them, so they simply don't count. Net carbs are calculated by subtracting the caloric value of these “non-impact” carbs from the overall carbohydrate value. The remaining value is considered to be the given product's net carb value.
Carbohydrates are organic compounds that consist of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Depending on their individual molecular build-up, carbohydrates behave in different ways in the body. Most carbs are digested and turned into blood sugar, table sugar itself being the best example. Such carbs provide about 4 calories per gram. Other carbohydrates however, are digested by our bodies but are not turned into glucose. These are most commonly known as polyols. Still other carbs, like fibre, simply pass through our bodies as waste. For this reason, only carbohydrates that are used by the body are counted as net carbs.
A common polyol, Xylitol, not only helps you keep those net carbs low, it also provides a number of health benefits as well. Xylitol is a carbohydrate extracted from hardwood trees and various common fruits, berries and vegetables. It tastes and looks like sugar but with 40% of the calories. As mentioned earlier, because xylitol is a polyol and has a very low glycaemic index of 7, it doesn't count as part of your net carbs, but retains many of the benefits of sugar. As a result of this low G I, xylitol triggers a negligible Pancreatic insulin response. This is particularly important for diabetics and hypoglycaemics.
In addition, xylitol is a natural bacteria fighter. Clinical trials have found that regular use of xylitol products helps manage and avoid dental decay and common ear and nasal problems, including ear and sinus infections. When xylitol is introduced to harmful bacteria (specifically Streptococcus Mutans, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Helicobacter Influenzae), the bacteria lose their ability to adhere to the teeth or membranes of the nose and throat, and are not able to grow. Unlike most antibiotics which kill the majority of bacteria and leave the resistant, super-bacteria behind, xylitol merely flushes harmful bacteria away.
Xlear Inc. has developed a number of xylitol based products that help you keep net carbs to a minimum and increase your overall health. Exceptional Health distributes and markets these products in South Africa. The purest pharmaceutical grade xylitol - Xylosweet is a wonderful alternative to sugar and can actually reduce the development of dental cavities. The Spry Dental Defense System, comprising Spry Dental Gums and Mints, Spry Oral Rinse and Spry Infant Tooth Gel are all sugar- free and clean the mouth, teeth and gums after meals. Xlear Nasal Wash flushes away pollutants, allergens, and infections in nasal passages that can lead to ear and sinus infections. Best of all, these products are sweetened only with the purest pharmaceutical grade xylitol and never add to your net carb intake.
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