The fact that birch sugar i.e. xylitol reduces caries was confirmed at the University of Turku in the beginning of the 1970s. Xylitol's industrial production started soon after, and in 1975, the first xylitol chewing gum hit the market. Finnish brand Jenkki had come to stores in 1951, and now it was available as a xylitol version, too. Original slogan Ole Jenkki! (“Be a Yankee”) caused a stir and was changed to Pure Jenkki! (“Chew Yankee”). Chewing gum was previously considered a bad habit, but now it turned into something healthy, and products sweetened with sugar disappeared from the stores.
The fact that birch sugar i.e. xylitol reduces caries was confirmed at the University of Turku in the beginning of the 1970s. Xylitol's industrial production started soon after, and in 1975, the first xylitol chewing gum hit the market. Finnish brand Jenkki had come to stores in 1951, and now it was available as a xylitol version, too. Original slogan Ole Jenkki! (“Be a Yankee”) caused a stir and was changed to Pure Jenkki! (“Chew Yankee”). Chewing gum was previously considered a bad habit, but now it turned into something healthy, and products sweetened with sugar disappeared from the stores.
