xylitol - what´s the deal?

Hey guys,

can someone of you explain me why xylitol is a healthy solution to sugar? For me, that stuff looks like another refined chemical thing ...

i dont know how they make it but in case it is a refined product, why is it healthy then?

There's lots of buried info on it (using the google selection instead of inside).

It's a sugar alcohol, and it's safe except that it should not be given to pets.

It takes about two weeks to make enough enzymes to digest it fully, so in the short run will cause
loose stools, but it tastes pretty close to sugar.

It's also not addictive like sugar, so you get full much faster.

It's good for oral hygiene too.