Understanding Stevia
Once only available as a supplement in health food stores, stevia has gone mainstream. How much do you know about this zero-calorie sweetener? Many folks are for it; others have concerns. Here are the basics.
What Is It?
Simply put, stevia is a calorie-free sugar substitute that comes from a stevia bush — depending on the extract, it can be 200 times sweeter than regular sugar.
Liquid extracts and powders have been available for years. Because they were marketed as a supplement and sold in health stores, these stevia products didn’t need FDA review and approval. Now, after years of lobbying and debating, the FDA has green lit one type of highly purified stevia known as rebiana. This decision allows food companies to sell rebiana for use as a sugar substitute and as an ingredient in packaged foods.
The marketed forms of rebiana (better known as Truvia or PureVia) come in packets of a fine white powder. The powder is definitely sweet, but doesn’t taste quite like sugar — instead it has a stronger flavor and lingering aftertaste. A little goes a very long way. The other stevia products still only sold as supplements are more potent and bitter.
Where Can I Find It?
Besides in health food stores, stevia is not in mainstream grocery stores — the most common products are marketed under the brand name Truvia (from the makers of Cargill and Coca-Cola) and PureVia (from Pepsi); smaller companies, such as Sweetleaf and Sugar in the Raw, also have versions. Like Sweet’n Low or Splenda, these stevia sweeteners come in individual packets, but many companies are also reformulating their diet-friendly foods and beverages to contain stevia.
Is It Safe?
Unlike other popular synthetic sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose, etc.), stevia is plant-derived, and supporters tout it as a natural alternative to those lab-created sweeteners. This doesn’t mean its safety is guaranteed. Right now, we don’t have any official FDA guidelines that dictate when and where food manufacturers can use the word “natural” on food packaging.
Since stevia is free of calories and carbohydratess, it’s especially appealing to diabetics and those trying to cut calories. But because of the potential health concerns, some nutrition experts are skeptical about replacing all refined sugars with any kind of these sugar alternatives. The American Diabetes Association does list stevia as a safe sugar alternative.
In Japan, food manufacturers have used stevia since the 1970s, but the U.S., Canada and Europe have been much slower in adopting it. There used to be concerns about its effects on fertility and a person’s blood sugar, but further research has quashed those worries. One of stevia’s main opponents is the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which has fought its approval since discussions began in the late 1990s. They point to research from UCLA toxicologists that found a link between heavy stevia consumption and DNA damage and cancer. CSPI wants us to research it more before we use it on a wide scale. (If you want to know more about their side, check out their stevia resource page.)
Bottom Line: A sprinkle of stevia here and there is most likely safe. Very little testing has been done on humans. Until more research is available, many dietitians recommend (and we agree) that children and pregnant or nursing women should skip it.
TELL US: Have you tried stevia? What did you think?
Dana, you mentioned there had been concerns regarding fertility and blood sugar, what were those concerns specifically? I’m moreso interested in affects on blood sugar! Thanks
Hi Fawn –
The link to CSPI's "stevia resource page" in the article has more specifics about the research studies that have been done.
I've tried "Stevia in the Raw" and find it to be WAY too sweet. One packet (the size of a sweet 'n low packet) is enough for several cups of coffee/tea. It also lists dextrose as the first ingredient, so it's a little misleading.
I'm still a fan of agave nectar – you can't really bake with Stevia, either.
I love stevia, I use it every morning in my coffee. I even have my own stevia plant, and sometimes nibble on the leaves, but I've never grown enough to make my own powder
My husband and I love the liquid stevia. I put it in my purse and we use it all the time. Unlike sweet and low, equal, and splenda. There is no warning on the label of stevia to cause cancer in lab rats.
Love love love stevia. As a Diabetic it's the only choice for me. I prefer NuNaturals brands of stevia, they are smooth and sweet, no aftertaste.
Vickilynn Haycraft
http://www.realfoodliving.com
I've tried Sweetleaf and Truvia. Both are disgusting. They are revoltingly sweet and leave an acrid taste in your mouth, much like saccrine. I really hope they don't start adding it to food products like they did with Splenda and Equal. Gross!
I didn't think it was sweet at all but it was nasty. Hate it! I agree with you Linette. I hope this stuff doesn't make it into our food supply. I'm going to try Agave next.
I've been using Stevia clear liquid from Sweetleaf for years, probably 10 or more. There is no bitterness and no taste other than sweetness. Just a couple of drops in tea or coffee is perfect. I have low blood sugar and it's been very helpful for me. Just make sure it's Stevia CLEAR liquid, and you won't be disappointed.
i do not like truvia or purevia (no flavor at all and appears to be mixed with questionable additives) but the stevia in the health food section of Wegman's that comes in a bottle not a packet is wonderful. use it every day in my coffee and tea, and to sweeten my own brewed ginger ale. and yes, little bit goes a long way.
I don't mind the taste of Sweetleaf in hot/warm liquids (like tea or coffee). I think the aftertaste is much stronger in cold liquids. It's not my favorite. I prefer the flavor of agave nectar. But I just try to limit any and all alternative sweeteners.
I've tried Truvia…it tastes like chemicals. Yuck.
Truvia gave me a stomachache.
I now have a Stevia plant in my garden. Is it safe to use the leaves if ground? After planting, I wondered if I had done the safe thing. Scottie
I'm a diabetic of 48yrs.,have used Sweet n' Low,then Equal, then Splenda. After reading all of the horrible side-effects of these chemically processed artificial sweeteners, I decided to try the Truvia !! Yes it is a bit pricey, but when you can't have sugar or other forms of sugar, a good natural substitute, like Truvia is a very welcome alternative !! I like it, and don't notice any after taste. I hope the company makes a open bag or box available, for baking and cooking purposes !! And hopefully will come down on the price !!!
Sweet Leaf is good to use in tea, smoothies, etc…I have been using it for several years, and find that there is little difference between the taste of sugar and the stevia product. I love it. Dolores
Trader Joe's sells stevia in different configurations–packets, etc–and it isn't bad, just not as tasty as sugar. Are the negative health effects related to the plant itself or to the processing of the plant into the powder or liquid?
I've tried Truvia, and don't like it at all. Way to sweet and leaves a awful chemical aftertaste. The smell reminds me a little of cotton candy though.
I have been using stevia for 2 years after being diagnosed as a diabetic…I usually use it in hot drinks and some cold drinks. When I want only a little sweetner in recipes I will use 1 or 2 small packets…it has helped me maintain my weight….and A1c….
It is my understanding that South America countries have used this plant for centuries..What have you found out about that?
As with anyting you have to get use to the taste of stevia. The artifical sweetener compaines have lobbied for yrs to keep it out of the hands of consumers for a reason!
I tried Stevia several years at the request of my D.O. I use it in my coffee each morning but that is the extent of my use so far. It is sweeter than sugar but since I like sugar anyhow, it is not too sweet. As far as not being FDA approved, that doesn’t bother me. Look at all the foods that are approved by them that have brought harm to unsuspecting everyday people.
Its great in cold things but not hot drinks, it gets bitter then
Sidenote from my days in the natural food store biz….Stevia has been used for years (at least in it's natural forn, as opposed to extracts) in various cultures. I strongly suspect that the amount of stevia necessary to be a cancer risk far exceeds any typical usage.
Also, more interestingly, I was told that about 15% of people do not perceive of stevia as sweet, instead they taste it as bitter. I don't know why, but it might explain why some of you think it tastes nasty. I'm just glad I'm in the lucky 85% I've used the plant (dried leaves, just mix them in with whatever tea you're steeping-strain them out of course), liquid extract and powder. My favorite is the Sweetleaf liquid…they even have flavored versions…the cinnamon is fabulous in chai.
I've tried the green leaf in 2 different brands. Truvia, which "works fine for me" in my coffee. I actually find it sweeter. Not at all bitter. My savings come from using 1 less packet in a double sized mug. I have now recently purchased it as the SweetLeaf. I haven't tried it yet. Most people with whom I have spoken that have also tried this sweetener, seem to "feel" that it doesn't matter which one you're using. It's exactly the same unless you purchase the Sun Crystals which also contains sugar. Donna
I grow stevia in my herb garden, we love it. We use the green leaves from the plant in hot tea. I've dried leaves to tried later.
I find it amazing that they want to test Stevia further but what about the toxic Aspartame that was so quickly allowed into our diet drinks and foods along with toxic Sucralose products? Political!
I like the KAL brand of Stevia powder that I buy at the health food store. It has the least amount of aftertaste of any of the brands I've tried. I use it every day to sweeten tea. It dissolves better while the tea is warm, so I add it right after I brew the tea.
I have been using stevia for years now. I did research on it beforehand. The stevia you can buy at whole food type stores IS all natural, the stuff they sell at big y and stop 'n shop is not pure stevia, it is now sold as a sweetener, with fda approval, probably because of the additives the companies have put in them. Stevia itself has been around for 1000s of years and there is absolutely no danger in it – the pure, real stevia- I doubt this "manufactured" stuff that is being sold is that safe. Just another thing ruined by man made chemicals. If it is savings you are looking for without the calories, try pure "Kal" brand and use the scoop they provide, it seems expensive at first, but when you see that one 1.3oz. bottle lasts SIX MONTHS (and I use it in everything/everyday)…it definitely saves money. And YES you can cook/bake with it, look into a stevia cookbook at your library or bookstore…I have had great success and my family also loves the baking. And, my husband is an agave fan.
Remember that CSPI is linked to government and the FDA whose pockets are bulging with money from Big Pharm., who love the big money they get from expensive drugs like equal.
I love Stevia and have totally switched over to it. I buy it at Wal-Mart in their Vitamin section as it's not over where the Sugers and Alternative Sugers are sold. When I switched over from Splenda to Stevia it did take me about 2 weeks to a month to totally switch over without having to still use a little of my Splenda so it takes a little getting use to but I think the benefits are worth it. Now I'm 100% switched over and love it and the price is comparable to other alternative sweeters.
I have used Stevia for several years–mostly in my teas and coffee. I have used several
brands, but have not tried the Truvia or the PureVia. My favorite is the NOW Stevia Extract
clear liquid. There is no aftertaste–I love it.
I have grown Stevia for a couple of years now and make an infusion with the leaves to add to iced and hot tea. A little goes a long way. I have not tried it in anything else.
I tried Stevia as Stevita stevia supreme and very much disliked the aftertaste. It seemed a little like anise or licorice. Walt
I love this stuff. Its so much better tasting than any other sweetener in my opinion and goes excellently with my hot green tea. I use Truvia in my food as a swetener and Only Sweet in liquids…no after taste at all.
i really dislike Stevia. The taste and aftertaste is strong, strange tasting and becomes the unwelcoming dominant flavor to whatever I add it to. I was really excited about it too since it is a natural alternative. Tried it with an open mind, not again.
I recently started using Truvia and really like it on cold breakfast cereal and in iced tea. I have never noticed an aftertaste, but I use it sparingly.
CAROL….
I TRIED THE STEVIA POWDER AND DID NOT LIKE IT. I HAVE DIABETES AND MY DR. TOLD ME TO GO TO THE HEALTH FOOD STORE AND BUY LIQUID STEVIA AND SEE HOW I LIKED THAT?? I CHECKED THE LABEL AND IT SAID 2 DROPS EQUALED 1 TAP. OF SUGAR. I BOUGHT MY FIRST BOTTLE THAT DAY AND I LOVE IT!! I USE IT IN MY COFFEE, TEA AND YOGURT. I EVEN USE A FEW DROPS IN CERTAIN THINGS THAT I COOK. COLD SLAW. POTATO SALAD. MACARONI SALAD, ETC. MICKEY LOVES IT!! BUT….IF YOU USE TOO MUCH, YOU KNOW IT IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE USED STEVIA FOR A LONG TIME NOW AND WOULD NOT KNOW HOW TO USE ANYTHING ELSE! I WISH I HAD A GREEN THUMB. I WOULD GROW MY OWN. I HAVE A COUPLE OF FRIENDS WHO DO THIS AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!! AND, IT COMES FROM THE STEVIA BUSH WHICH MAKES IT EVEN MORE APPEALING TO ME! MAVIS
yes….it is safe. i have 2 friends who grow their own and they dry it, freeze it, grind it up, dehydrate it, etc. for hot liquids, they use the fresh leaves right off their plants! good luck! mavis
I have used Stevia powder in unsweetened Cranberry juice, with a T or two of psylium husk mixed in. Makes it sweet enough that I can enjoy it, and I feel so good when I am doing this body/colon cleansing drink 2Xs a day. Energy, and I lost 20 pounds, as I just wasn't as hungry and felt more like exercising. I have Fibromyalgia, and when I used Stevia instead of sugar (which is an inflammatory) I felt MUCH less sore and achey.
Stevia is my all time favorite sweetener/sugar subsitute. Much better than Spelnda and I am more comfortable with the safety ???
I have used stevia in different forms (liquid and powder) for about the last 5 years and have done some research on my own about the side affects. In Japan/China, who has been using it the longest they have not had any problems or side effects reported. Anything that you use in excessive proportions can cause side effects so if you use it reasonably I believe it is much better than any of the artificial sweeteners. I noticed some people really don't like the taste, they are probably using way too much as it has a bitter aftertaste if you use too much.. try a small amount and taste things first. I can normally get away with one drop in coffee or tea with plenty of sweetness. I have also tried several of the stevia sodas, and their not bad at all, not as sweet as some of the others but that's fine with me as I find most soda way to sweet anyway. I am so thankful that we finally have a naturally derived no calorie sweetener on the market! As for the CSPI I'm not sure about their political background and if they have other motives for being against stevia. Thank You FDA for approving this as a sweetener.. finally!
I use Stevia from the Health Food Store and have used it for two years and love it. It is sweeter than Truvia which I don't like as well. Since it goes so far because you have to use so little, it is worth the price. I am a diabetic so enjoy using a natural product instead of synthetic sweeteners. Judy
Everyones taste buds are different. I did a taste taste on Purvia and Truvia and Purvia had no bitter after taste for me, I need 3 in my tea and 3 in my oatmeal. I am a sugar addict, never too sweet for me. Am I using too much is what I wonder. 6 every morning. Gloria
AS A DIABETIC I LOVE THIS STUFF. I DO USE IT IN COOKING . I KNOW MANY DO NOT LIKE IT OR HAVE HEALTH CONCERNS BUT USING A LITTLE LOGIC IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF NATIVE AMERICANS, NORTH AND SOUTH, HAVE USED IT FOR CENTURIES, PLUS THE JAPANESE USING IT FOR SOME 40 YEARS, IT IS PROBABLY SAFE. THE JAPANESE DO NOT SEEM TO BE DYING OFF. AT LEAST NOT THAT I'VE HEARD OF. ONE NOTE: IF YOU GET THE REALLY PURE STUFF IT WILL TASTE BITTER AS IT IS TOO STRONG THAT WAY. I BUT IT IN CRYSTALINE FORM, LIKE SUGAR, AND IT TASTES FINE.
I had a very serious life threatening reaction to Truvia that sent me to the Emergency Room via an ambulance. I would not recommend any of this type of product to anyone that has allergies to plants or the additives in these products. When I got to the ER the Doctor treating me had never heard of this sweetner. I hope no one else has to go through this. The product is good for those that can use it.
I don't really like the taste of Truvia but I have used stevia from the health food store for years.
The after taste is really only if you use to much. You will be able to maintain or even lose weight
and it is not full of chemicals like a lot of the other brands. Buy it pure and you will never stop useing it.
I have been using SweetLeaf for some time and I love it. You have to remember the packets equal to same artificial sweetners – you only need a little. I have a big jar and I use 1/4 teaspoon in my tea and it is perfect – but when you add to much it tastes too sweet or bitter.
oops meant to say are not equal to :O)
I've been using Stevia for years and I love it. The Truvia has a taste I don't particularly like, so I'll stay with my Stevia.
3RD times a charm
Stevia is a plant discovered in Paraguay by Moises Bertoni in 1887, their name in guarany (indian language) means sweet herb. I use the drops in my juices, coffee for more than 15 years and the vast population in Paraguay use it for more than that. Brazil is another country that uses the herb without any problem. My concern is about the process here to transform the herb in powder. About the liquid : go for it !
I have been using Stevia for over 10 years. I experience no side effects when using the pure extracts. I have tried some that have additives, I do not like them. Trade Joe's has a powder that has additives which spike my blood sugar. Stevia with fiber added can be difficult to mix into a cold drink, but it can be done with vigorous stirring. I use SweetLeaf, the Vitamin Shoppe brand [individual packets] BUT my favorite is KAL Pure Stevia Extract Powder [very small amount is necessary and has little to no after-taste]. I haven't used artificial sweetners in years! Not since I discovered Stevia.
I've used other brands of Stevia and like it. I will mainly use it in my coffee, and it's true, a little goes a long ways. I usually use half of a packet in a cup of coffee. I haven't baked with it yet, it's a bit pricey for me to use it in that way. I haven't had problems finding it in the grocery stores, it's right there with the regular sugar and the nasty fake sugars. I have noticed lately that there are more companies coming out with their own brand of stevia… makes me wonder if they are just as good or a cheaper, more processed version.
I get Nirvana organic stevia powder in Australia, it tastes great. It's pure stevia. But I must admit I have been concerned lately about how much I consume, I feel that I am actually addicted to it. Has anyone herd of that?
Didn't like the taste, sugar is far better of course. When I was told to use it instead of sugar for the health benefits, I reduced my sugar use instead.
It was ok, but give me old fashioned cane sugar any day.
Where did you get your plant?
I have stevia growing in a large planter on my deck. I love chewing on a fresh leaf or two. I purchased my stevia plant from Walmart several years ago. I just cut my stevia plants and brought them in to dry them and grind them up and put the powder into a shaker bottle. The plant reproduces well every spring.(7 feet tall plants). Its seeds pop up in every planter surrounding it. I love it, and try to use it as much as possible in all my recipes.
I have used SweetLeaf Sweetener stevia in various foods–smoothies, Raisin Bran, their flavored liquid on plain yogurt, and even cocolate chip cookies, and I love it! I don't notice and bitter taste or aftertaste!
As far as safety, in my opinion the greatest testament of its safety is the fact that it has been use in South America for 1500 years and on Asia for decades in various products for decades without any adverse effects ever documented. Think about that. It has been used for a very long time by hundreds of millions of people everyday without any apparent problems. It also has incredible health benfits, so not only will it not hurt you, but it is good for you!
It sounds as if "big business" has now added other things to their Stevia creations. I would stick to the pure powder. I have used it for over 20 years. My husband liked the green ground up leaves that you could get at the health food store. I also buy mine from Trader Joes now as it is a good price and pure.