Unlock the mysteries surrounding stevia sweeteners with our comprehensive guide, “Everything You Need to Know About Stevia Sweeteners.” Stevia sweeteners, also known as high-intensity sweeteners or non-nutritive sweeteners, offer a calorie-free way to add sweetness to your favorite dishes and drinks. Derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, these sweeteners are up to 350 times sweeter than sugar. Safe for consumption and endorsed by global health authorities, stevia sweeteners are a popular choice for those looking to reduce their sugar intake. Learn about the production process, how they affect the body after consumption, and why they are considered Generally Recognized As Safe by regulatory bodies worldwide. Embrace the sweet side of stevia and discover its many benefits today.
Key Takeaways:
- Stevia sweeteners: Are no-calorie sweeteners that can help reduce added sugar intake while still providing sweetness.
- Intensely sweet: Stevia sweeteners are 200-350 times sweeter than sugar, so only small amounts are needed.
- Usage: Used in various food and beverage products like diet sodas, baked goods, dairy products, and tabletop sweeteners.
- Production: Derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant by extracting and purifying steviol glycosides.
- Metabolism: Steviol glycosides are not absorbed in the upper GI tract and are excreted through urine after metabolism.
- Safety: High-purity steviol glycosides are Generally Recognized As Safe by various health authorities and have an established acceptable daily intake level.
- Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI): Represents a safe consumption level based on research and is set much lower than levels found to have adverse effects.
What are Stevia Sweeteners?
Definition and categories
Before delving into the specifics of stevia sweeteners, it’s important to understand that they are no-calorie sweeteners that serve as an alternative to traditional sugars. Falling under the umbrella of sugar substitutes, stevia sweeteners are known for their intensely sweet taste that allows for satisfying sweetness without the added calories.
Intense sweetness levels
Assuming you’ve never tried stevia sweeteners before, be prepared for a unique experience. Stevia sweeteners can be 200-350 times sweeter than sugar, necessitating the use of only small amounts to achieve the same level of sweetness. This intense sweetness is what sets stevia sweeteners apart from other sugar substitutes.
Any recipe that calls for stevia sweeteners in place of sugar may require some adjustments due to the disparities in sweetness levels. While sugar not only adds sweetness but also contributes to volume and texture in recipes, stevia sweeteners strictly provide sweetness. It’s necessary to experiment with quantities to achieve the desired taste and consistency.
Production of Stevia Sweeteners
Derived from Stevia plant
Some stevia sweeteners are derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, a herbal shrub native to South America. This plant has been used for hundreds of years for both food and medicinal purposes, with its leaves and crude extracts being sold as dietary supplements.
Extraction and purification process
Some stevia sweeteners are produced through an extraction and purification process. To remove some of the bitter attributes found in the crude extract, steviol glycosides are extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant and purified. This process involves isolating compounds like stevioside and various rebaudiosides, such as rebaudioside A (reb A).
The bioconversion and fermentation processes are also used to produce better-tasting and less bitter rebaudiosides, like reb M, on a larger scale. These processes ensure that the final stevia sweeteners are high-purity and enjoyable for consumption.
Consumption and Metabolism
Non-absorptive in upper GI
All steviol glycosides, including those found in stevia sweeteners, are not absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This means that they do not contribute to any calories or impact blood glucose levels when consumed. Instead, they pass through the digestive system intact until they reach the colon.
Gut microbes and excretion
With regards to gut microbes and excretion, once steviol glycosides reach the colon, gut microbes play a crucial role in their metabolism. These microbes cleave off the glucose molecules attached to the steviol backbone, utilizing them as an energy source. The remaining steviol backbone is then absorbed via the portal vein, metabolized by the liver, and eventually excreted in urine.
The metabolism of stevia sweeteners by gut microbes is a unique process that allows for the safe elimination of these compounds from the body without any adverse effects. This intricate system ensures that stevia sweeteners do not accumulate in the body and are efficiently processed for excretion.
Safety and Regulatory Status
GRAS status by FDA
Status: In 2008, the FDA designated high-purity rebaudioside A, a stevia sweetener derived from Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni), as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). This regulatory review process signifies expert consensus on the safety of the ingredient for its intended use. However, whole stevia leaves and crude extracts are not approved food additives due to insufficient toxicological data.
Global health authority approvals
Safety: Leading global health authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, and Health Canada have confirmed the safety of high-purity steviol glycosides within acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels. The ADI for stevia sweeteners, established by the JECFA, is four milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day of steviol equivalents, well below the quantity found to achieve a no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL).
GRAS: The FDA refers to the JECFA’s ADI for select high-purity steviol glycosides purified from Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni). The ADI is a conservative estimate, ensuring most individuals will not exceed safe levels of consumption. Studies indicate that global intake of stevia sweeteners remains below the ADI, reassuring its safety for the general population.
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
Definition of ADI
While exploring food safety, understanding the concept of Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is crucial. The ADI is the estimated amount of a substance that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without posing any appreciable health risk.
Stevia sweeteners’ ADI levels
While considering the ADI levels for stevia sweeteners, it’s important to highlight that these sweeteners have a favorable safety profile. The ADI for stevia sweeteners is set at four milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, based on the end product of metabolism, which is steviol. This equates to 12 mg/kg/day of rebaudioside A and 10 mg/kg/day of stevioside. These levels have been deemed safe by global health organizations, including the FDA and EFSA.
Definition: The ADI for stevia sweeteners is a conservative estimation, ensuring the vast majority of individuals do not surpass the safe intake level. Studies indicate that daily intake of stevia sweeteners in various populations remains well below the established ADI, underscoring their safety for consumption.
Summing up
On the whole, stevia sweeteners are a safe and zero-calorie alternative to sugar that can be used to satisfy a sweet tooth without the negative health effects associated with added sugars. Made from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, stevia sweeteners have been deemed Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by regulatory bodies around the world. They are not absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract, do not impact blood glucose levels, and are metabolized in the body to a common end product called steviol. With an acceptable daily intake level established to ensure safety, stevia sweeteners can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. As a versatile ingredient used in various food and beverage products, stevia sweeteners offer a solution for those looking to reduce their sugar intake while still enjoying the sweetness they crave.
FAQ
Q: What are stevia sweeteners?
A: Stevia sweeteners are no-calorie sweeteners that can be used to lower one’s intake of added sugars while providing the satisfaction of sweetness. They are intensely sweet, ranging from 200-350 times sweeter than sugar, and are often used as sugar substitutes in various food and beverage products.
Q: How are stevia sweeteners produced?
A: Stevia sweeteners are derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, native to South America. Steviol glycosides, the sweet compounds in stevia, are extracted from the leaves, purified to remove bitterness, and used as the main ingredient in stevia sweeteners.
Q: What happens to stevia sweeteners after consumption?
A: Steviol glycosides from stevia sweeteners are not absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract and do not contribute calories or affect blood glucose levels. They are broken down by gut microbes in the colon, with the remaining steviol being absorbed, metabolized by the liver, and excreted in urine.
Q: Are stevia sweeteners safe to consume?
A: Yes, high-purity steviol glycosides are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by regulatory authorities like the FDA. They have been deemed safe for consumption within acceptable daily intake levels by global health authorities such as EFSA, JECFA, Japan’s Ministry of Health, and Health Canada.
Q: What is an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)?
A: The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is the average amount of a substance that can be safely consumed daily over a lifetime without adverse effects. It is determined based on research findings, with ADI levels for stevia sweeteners set at safe thresholds by regulatory bodies.
Q: How do stevia sweeteners compare to sugar in recipes?
A: Stevia sweeteners can replace sugar in recipes, but due to differences in sweetness levels and other properties, the final outcome may vary. Sugar plays roles related to volume and texture in recipes, so adjustments may be needed when using stevia sweeteners in place of sugar.
Q: Where are stevia sweeteners commonly used?
A: Stevia sweeteners are used in a wide range of products, including beverages, canned fruits, dairy, baked goods, cereals, confections, syrups, and tabletop sweeteners. Popular brands of stevia sweeteners include Truvia®, Pure Via®, and Stevia In The Raw®.
