Related Links
- www.caloriecontrol.org
- www.enlitensweetener.com
- www.purevia.com
- www.steviaextractintheraw.com
- www.stevia-cane.com
- www.sweetleaf.com
- www.fda.gov
- FDA's food ingredient approval
process: Safety assurance based on
scientific assessment (pdf)
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Living Naturally
Stevia rebaudiana is a South American plant, native to Paraguay that has long been used to sweeten beverages and make tea. The term stevia typically refers to sweeteners made from a crude preparation (powder or liquid) of dried stevia leaves. These preparations may contain a mixture of many substances, only some of which are sweet. While the word “stevia” refers to the entire plant, only some of the components of the stevia leaf are sweet. These sweet components are called steviol glycosides. Stevia is grown and harvested in many countries around the world, predominantly in China and Brazil.
Stevia sweeteners are also ingredients in many products, such as ice cream, bread and soft drinks, throughout Asia and South America. In the US, stevia sweeteners are primarily found in tabletop products and reduced calorie beverages as sugar substitutes. Heightened regard for caloric consumption and increased demand from consumers for a greater variety of low calorie products has provided an impetus to incorporate stevia sweeteners into foods and beverages.
Steviol Glycosides (click to expand contents and again to collapse)
Steviol glycosides are found in the leaves of the stevia plant and each has a particular taste profile and sweetness intensity. Steviol glycosides can be isolated from the leaves of the stevia plant. Steviol glycosides are approved for use in countries such as Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Paraguay. In the U.S., steviol glycosides with high rebaudioside content are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use as a tabletop sweetener.
Rebaudioside A (click to expand contents and again to collapse)
Rebaudioside A is one of the many steviol glycosides in stevia leaves that provide sweetness. In the US, rebaudioside A is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use as a general purpose sweetener and may be used in foods and beverages, excluding meat and poultry products. Rebaudioside A is approximately 250 to 300 times sweeter than sucrose.
Components of stevia sweeteners contain zero calories, which mean these sweeteners may sweeten food and beverages resulting in fewer calories. Further, research has shown that stevia sweeteners do not contribute calories or carbohydrates to the diet and do not affect blood glucose or insulin response, which allows people with diabetes to consume a greater variety of foods and comply with a healthful meal plan. Stevia sweeteners are an excellent alternative for use in foods and beverages such as diet beverages. The sweet components in stevia sweeteners are naturally occurring which may further benefit consumers who prefer foods and beverages they perceive as natural.