The xylitol is a Polyol extracted the birch bark, considered since a score of years as a remarkable substitute of traditional sugar (Saccharose) in the Scandinavian countries. Its many advantages make of it an answer adapted to the public health problems related to the sugar overconsumption. The xylitol has the same sweetening capacity and same savor as saccharose. On the other hand, its caloric intake is lower than that of saccharose with 2,4 kcal per gram against 4,0 kcal.

The empirical formula of xylitol is C₅ H₁₂ O₅. Its systemic name is (2,3,4,5) tetrahydroxy-pentanol.