Hi Dr. Ellie,
My kids and I have been enjoying Zellies fruit mints and gum. I was wondering if you could tell me where it is made (China? Finland? Somewhere else?). Also, is it tested on a regular basis? I just want to be sure since I am giving it to my children daily.
Thanks so much!
K
Hi K,
Thanks for the question I completely understand your concerns I am also a very concerned mother. For example, I would NEVER let my kids drink soda or other commercial drinks. I was labeled a “health food nut” in the 1960s when it was not fashionable to eat unprocessed foods or whole grains.
I have always believed that “we are what we eat” and that our immune system needs correct nutrition to be healthy. My family has been eating Zellies mints and gum regularly for years.
I am not the only person who feels that xylitol may have more health benefits than just for teeth and ear health. Here is a link to a bodybuilding website where there is a very good health evaluation of xylitol: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/xylitol.htm
Zellies chewing gum is made in Scandinavia from hard wood sources mainly birch. The company is one of the oldest companies known for its reputation and excellence in production.
Scandinavians have been giving xylitol to their children for decades and have kindergarten programs to wipe out the harmful bacteria in the mouth before the eruption of first adult molar teeth around age 6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFdH1E9VsI4
Last point: you only need around a teaspoon ( 6 grams) for dental and ear health. This would equate to about 12 mints 7 pieces of gum a day. Our bodies produce around 15 grams a day ( three times this amount) in the metabolic process. If you want to start slowly aim for the 6 gram dose. This will give you the benefits without the concern (at least until you are comfortable with the product or when xylitol is more generally accepted in the USA).
Very last point.
I prefer coffee to be fresh, so when I came to the US, I looked for a place to purchase espresso or cappuccino. I asked “why don’t you drink cappuccino in Rochester ?”(1980). No one had ever heard of cappuccino no one knew what it was and most people were suspicious and afraid of it. Now twenty years later cappuccino is on every street corner it was just a matter of time.
I think in twenty years xylitol will be everywhere just as it is today in Scandinavia, Asia and most of Europe. By the way, children in Scandinavia have the highest literacy rate of any country. I wonder if they hear better, or miss less days from school? Interesting!
Hope this helps,
Ellie
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