My Honest Review of Xylichew Gum (Sweetened with Xylitol)

Finding the right chewing gum that fits into a health-conscious lifestyle isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. My latest find, Xylichew Gum, struck a chord with me, especially because it steers clear of sugar, aspartame, and gluten. This little gem, which I stumbled upon during a routine visit to Sprouts Farmers Market, has made its way into my daily routine, and for good reasons.

Packaging

Xylichew comes in a variety of packaging options that cater to different needs, including blister packs, resealable bag packs, and a jar with a lid. Out of these, the bag option stands out for its convenience, boasting available counts of 50, 100, and 500. What sets it apart is the ease of access it provides compared to traditional blister packs. There’s no need to wrestle with individual wrappers or pop out each piece — a feature that I particularly appreciate during my workouts. The bags also reseal effectively, maintaining the gum’s freshness and allowing them to snugly fit into my gym bag. However, my initial experience was slightly marred by the discovery that my 50-piece bag was short of five pieces. Given the $7.99 price tag, ensuring the promised count seems like a reasonable expectation.

Quantity and Size

Upon opening the bag, I was immediately greeted by a delightful aroma. The gum pieces are encased in a light shell coating, presenting themselves in pristine white. Their size and shape reminded me of another brand, PUR gum, although a tad larger piece wouldn’t have gone amiss. Xylichew delivers on variety, offering several counts ranging from blister packs of 12 to bags housing as many as 500 pieces. This flexibility in quantity ensures that there’s an option to suit every gum lover’s needs.

Ingredients

Xylichew’s commitment to minimalism is evident in its ingredients list. It’s refreshing to find a gum free from harsh ingredients, artificial sweeteners, flavors, or chemicals that could potentially harm your teeth. It is primarily sweetened with natural xylitol, a choice that benefits dental health. The gum is non-GMO and free from titanium dioxide. The fact that the xylitol is sourced from US birch, rather than corn from China, adds another layer of trust in their ingredient sourcing. What’s more, xylitol’s low glycemic index makes Xylichew a friend to those monitoring their blood sugar levels or watching their weight.

Caloric Content

The quest for a zero-calorie gum seems to end with Xylichew. Each piece, weighing 1.3g, contains no calories, making it a guilt-free choice for those who like to keep a tab on their intake. The generous amount of xylitol (1g per serving) not only promises dental health benefits but also keeps blood sugar levels stable.

Flavor Choices

Variety is the spice of life, and Xylichew certainly doesn’t disappoint with its portfolio of seven flavors. The list of flavors is as follows:

While these flavors start strong, I found that they tend to fade more quickly than I’d like, a common trait among xylitol-based gums. Nevertheless, Xylichew manages to outlast some other brands, such as Lotte, that I’ve tried.

The Spearmint flavor is mild, making it perfect for those who prefer a softer mint experience. Conversely, Ice Mint packs a more robust peppermint kick, reminiscent of a traditional medicinal mint. The Fruit flavor harks back to the classic Juicy Fruit, and if you’re in the mood for something distinct, Pomegranate Raspberry offers a delightful twist. For the aficionados of distinct tastes, the Black Licorice flavor is truly addictive, mirroring its candy counterpart, and the Cinnamon flavor invokes nostalgic vibes of Wrigley’s Big Red gum. Last but not least, Peppermint freshens your breath with its crisp mint flavor.

Texture and Consistency

Feeling adventurous, I popped a piece of Xylichew into my mouth, and my jaw met with a surprisingly pleasant consistency. The gum started off nice and soft but developed a bit of an edge by the 5-minute mark, somewhat losing its initial softness. One unusual feature I noted was a distinct stickiness unique to Xylichew. Although this didn’t bother me during the chewing process, the gum seemed to adhere to my teeth and dental work after it had been substantially chewed – a point of concern, particularly for those with dentures or fillings. To achieve the texture I wanted, I found that chewing two pieces at once did the trick for me, even though that made Xylichew somewhat harder in comparison to other products like PUR or Spry.

Chewing Experience

What truly won me over was the versatility of the Xylichew chewing experience. It works beautifully as bad breath control, especially as the first thing in the morning, effectively doubling as a wake-me-up. It also made a convenient companion for post-meals when a traditional teeth-cleaning isn’t an option. Its effectiveness at aiding saliva production turns it into a life-saver for people with dry mouth symptoms, even when used at nighttime. Chewing three pieces together seemed a tipping point, as it resulted in slight stomach discomfort – perhaps a side effect of excess xylitol. Overall, I found that my ideal Xylichew serving was two pieces together for each session.

Flavor Longevity

While the rich flavors of Xylichew are a treat, they admittedly do not last as long as one might hope. From a completely oral care perspective, this is less of an issue, but for those who look for longer chewing sessions, this feature could lose some points. Interestingly, I noticed a variation in flavor longevity depending on the flavor choice: surprisingly, Cinnamon outlasted its cousin, the classic Spearmint. The fruit flavor variant, while delicious, seemed to have the shortest longevity.

Environmental Impact

Xylichew makes an effort to be planet-friendly, utilizing a preservative-free base and sourcing their xylitol from birch trees. Their website proudly claims that their gum base is free of plastics, a definite plus in this era of environmental responsibility. However, it is crucial to note that while Xylichew is friendly for human consumption, its xylitol content can be harmful to your furry friends, particularly dogs, so I would advise keeping these well out of their reach.

Price and Value

Value-wise, Xylichew does tend to lean towards the higher-end side of the pricing spectrum. I purchased the loose 50-piece pack for $9.99, which I feel may seem a bit steep to some. Yet, the relatively higher price point is somewhat justified by the fact that it’s made in the USA, uses xylitol derived from birch trees, and offers good oral health contributions.

Overall Rating

Xylichew offers a compelling choice for those invested in maintaining optimal dental health while adhering to a health-conscious lifestyle. It marries the practicality of oral care with the everyday pleasure of chewing gum. However, its journey in my daily routine was a tale of two halves. On one side, its commitment to natural ingredients, variety in flavor choices, and versatility in fighting bad breath and dry mouth symptoms is praiseworthy. Yet, darker shades in this picture, such as its higher price point, the quick fade of flavor, and the unique texture story – from perfectly pleasant to unexpectedly tough and sticky – require acknowledgment. Furthermore, the mild digestive discomfort observed upon enthusiastic consumption suggests moderation is paramount with Xylichew.

In essence, if you’re eyeing a gum that doubles as a dental health post-meal and you don’t mind the premium for high-quality, natural ingredients, Xylichew could very well be your next go-to. However, if long-lasting flavor and a soft chew from start to finish are your non-negotiables, you might find this gum leaves more to be desired.