FAQs About Stevioside

Stevioside is derived from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, a plant native to Brazil and Paraguay. The stevia plant has been used for food and medicinal purposes, and its leaves and crude extracts have been sold as dietary supplements. Stevia sweeteners are made by extracting steviol glycosides from the leaves of the stevia plant and purifying them to remove some of the bitterness from the crude extract. This article will take you through everything you need to know about stevia sweeteners.

1. What is stevioside?

Stevia sweeteners are non-caloric sweeteners that are 200-350 times sweeter than sugar, so only a small amount of stevia sweetener is needed to match the sweetness provided by sugar and can be used to reduce people's intake of added sugar while still getting the satisfaction from enjoying the sweetness.

Stevia sweeteners are used by food and beverage manufacturers as ingredients in beverages, canned fruit, condiments, dairy products, and syrups. Because stevia sweeteners are stable at high temperatures, stevia sweeteners can also be used in baked goods.

2. Are steviosides safe?

High-purity steviol glycosides are generally considered safe (GRAS), which is a regulatory review process category used by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).GRAS requires expert consensus that a food ingredient is safe for its intended use. Major global health agencies such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) have concluded that it is safe to consume high-purity steviol glycosides within acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels. The safety of stevia sweeteners has also been confirmed by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan; the Food Standards Agency of Australia and New Zealand; and Health Canada. Based on the conclusions of these global authorities, stevia sweeteners are currently approved for use in more than 60 countries/regions.

3. Can children consume stevioside?

Stevia is metabolized in healthy children in the same way as it is in healthy adults. Stevia sweeteners can add sweetness to children's foods and beverages without increasing the number of calories consumed or the amount of increased sugar intake. Stevia sweeteners are not cariogenic and therefore do not increase the risk of dental caries. In recent decades, there has been a focus on reducing the consumption of added sugars, and as a result, the number of food and beverage products containing low-calorie sweeteners has increased. Although observational studies in children and adults have shown an increase in the proportion of people reporting daily consumption of products containing low-calorie sweeteners, the current intake of low-calorie sweeteners is considered to be well within acceptable levels.

4. Can diabetics consume stevia sweeteners?

Foods and beverages made with stevioside are often recommended for people with diabetes as an alternative to sugary foods and beverages and as a way to help these individuals satisfy their sweet cravings while controlling their carbohydrate intake. Extensive research has shown that stevia sweeteners do not raise blood sugar levels or otherwise affect the body's blood sugar management. A recent consensus statement by experts in nutrition, medicine, physical activity, and public health cites the neutral effects of low-calorie sweeteners on hemoglobin A1C, fasting and postprandial blood glucose, and insulin levels, and concludes that the use of low-calorie sweeteners in diabetes self-care may contribute to better blood glucose control.

5. Can stevia help with weight loss?

Stevia is not absorbed by the upper digestive tract and therefore does not produce any calories or affect blood sugar levels. When they reach the colon, intestinal microorganisms break down the glucose molecules and use them as an energy source. Therefore, replacing whole-sugar foods and beverages with stevia sweeteners can play a role in weight management.

However, maintaining weight requires multiple approaches at the same time. Making a single change, such as replacing full-calorie sugary products with low-calorie sweets, is only one approach. Lifestyle and behavioral habits such as healthy eating, regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and maintaining a social support network are all important factors in achieving weight loss and weight maintenance goals.

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