You might’ve seen xylitol on the back of a gum wrapper and thought, “That’s gotta be a made-up Star Trek element.” But guess what? This oddly named sweetener is the real deal, and it might just be one of the most surprisingly helpful things in your snack drawer.

In this new video from SciShow, you’ll learn how xylitol does everything from preventing cavities and boosting bone health (in rabbits with drilled femurs, no less) to helping with blood sugar regulation and maybe even reducing preterm births. Not bad for something that tastes like sugar and sounds like a Marvel villain.

Just remember: it’s great for people, but terrible for dogs. So keep it to yourself!