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A sugar averts some ear infections

A natural sweetener called birch sugar helps to prevent some ear infections in preschoolers by thwarting Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.

 

References:

Uhari, M., T. Kontiokari, and M. Niemelä. 1998. A novel use of xylitol sugar in preventing acute otitis media. Pediatrics 102(Oct. 4):879.

 

Further Readings:

1996. Chewing gum and ear infections. Journal of the American Medical Association 276(Dec. 11):1790.

Mäkinen, K.K., et al. 1995. Xylitol chewing gums and caries rates: A 40-month cohort study. Journal of Dental Research 74:1904.

Uhari, M., et al. 1996. Xylitol chewing gym in prevention of acute otitis media: Double blind randomised trial. British Medical Journal 313:1180.

Sources:

Tero Kontiokari
University of Oulu
Department of Pediatrics
FIN 90220, Oulu
Finland

Matti K. Uhari
University of Oulu
Department of Pediatrics
FIN 90220, Oulu
Finland

From Science News, Vol. 154, No. 18, October 31, 1998, p. 287.
Copyright Ó 1998 by Science Service.

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