Effectiveness Of Chewing Xylitol Gum In Reducing Thirsty In Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Thirst is a common complaint among patients undergoing hemodialysis and is associated with poor adherence to fluid restriction, which may contribute to increased interdialytic weight gain (IDWG). One of the non-pharmacological approaches that can be used to alleviate thirst is sugar-free chewing gum containing xylitol. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of sugar-free chewing gum containing xylitol in reducing thirst and controlling interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This study employed a literature review design by analyzing articles retrieved from Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases published between 2020 and 2025. The article selection process was conducted systematically following the PRISMA guidelines based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The findings indicated that chewing sugar-free gum significantly reduced thirst levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, the evidence regarding its effect on interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) remained inconsistent across studies. Conclusion: Based on the synthesis of 11 selected articles, the majority of studies demonstrated that sugar-free chewing gum containing xylitol is effective in reducing thirst among hemodialysis patients. However, its effect on interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) remains inconclusive, highlighting the need for further well-designed studies.