The Scoop on Stevia

By Marci Sloane|2016-05-26T09:54:40-04:00Updated: May 6th, 2009|Diet & Nutrition, Newsletters|0 Comments

In December 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Rebiana, also known as Reb A or rebaudioside A, found in the stevia leaf. Stevia is derived from the leaves of a South American shrub and has been used to sweeten foods in Brazil, Paraguay, Japan, South Korea and China for many centuries. Reb A is one of two compounds; the other being stevioside, found in the stevia leaf. Reb A is less bitter and sweeter than stevioside. Rebiana is approved by the FDA as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS).

Stevita Simply Stevia packetsStevia previously had been sold only in health food stores as a dietary supplement. Due to some studies indicating that stevia may reduce fertility or cause genetic mutations that could lead to cancer, it was banned as a food ingredient in the US and approved only as a dietary supplement. Supplements, similar to GRAS substances, are not required to be scrutinized as much as foods are.

Today, Truvia and PureVia are available in packets similar to other sugar substitutes such as Splenda, Equal and Sweet n’ Low, and will soon be seen in a growing number of sugar-free products. The main ingredients are Reb A (from the stevia leaf) and Erythritol (a sugar alcohol with no effect on glucose levels and little or no laxative effect).

Truvia™ can be found at Whole Foods, Walmart and other grocery stores.

  • A Coca-Cola and Cargill product
  • Over 200 times sweeter than sugar
  • Ingredients: Rebiana, Erythritol, natural flavors
  • Rebiana or Rebaudioside is the sweet extract from the stevia leaf – for sweetness
  • Erythritol is a sugar alcohol derived from fruits like grapes and melons to improve taste and reduce bitterness
  • Natural flavors to enhance flavor
  • Found in products such as: sweetener packets, Sprite Green and Odwalla juice drinks
  • Zero calories and no effect on glucose levels

PureVia™ can be found at grocery stores.

  • PepsiCo and Whole Earth Sweetener co-product
  • Over 200 times sweeter than sugar
  • Ingredients: Rebiana, Erythritol, natural flavors
  • Rebiana or Rebaudioside is the sweet extract from the stevia leaf to improve sweetness
  • Erythritol is a sugar alcohol derived from fruits like grapes and melons to improve taste and reduce bitterness
  • Isomaltulose (found in honey and sugar case juice)
  • Cellulose powder is a dietary fiber to enhance texture
  • Natural flavors to enhance flavor
  • Found in products such as sweetener packets and SoBe Lifewater
  • Zero calories and no effect on glucose levels

Use moderately. Moderate use is 4 servings a day: 4 packets or food servings similar to food exchanges (8 ounce drink, etc.)

About the Author: Marci Sloane

Marci SloaneMarci Sloane, MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, is a registered and licensed dietitian/nutritionist and certified diabetes educator. She grew up in NYC where she graduated with a degree in Nutrition and Physiology from Teachers College at Columbia University. For over a decade, Marci managed a Diabetes and Nutrition Education Center at a multi-bed hospital in South Florida and has been counseling people on healthy eating, weight loss, and managing diseases and conditions such as: diabetes, pre-diabetes, healthy eating, heart disease, weight loss, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, hypertension, hypoglycemia and a host of other nutrition-related diseases. Marci is an American Diabetes Association Valor Award recipient and lectures frequently to the public and healthcare professionals. Marci was a featured panelist for the Sun-Sentinel's "Let's Take It Off" weight loss program, was highlighted in the Palm Beach Post: Meet Your Neighbor, "Woman's book on healthy eating uses humor as a key ingredient" and was a participant in their Diabetes Series in 2007. Marci Sloane is a member of the American Diabetes Association’s Health Professional Committee.

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