If you have ever purchased a low-calorie or “healthy” drink or snack, you probably have heard of stevia. It has been around for a long time, but what even is stevia? Is it natural or safe? These are just some of the questions that people frequently ask.
Stevia comes from the leaves of the plant Stevia Rebaudiana. This plant is primarily grown in South America and is commonly used there as a sugar substitute. Stevia is used is because it is 50 to 300 times sweeter than sugar so a little goes a long way. That is why it is often used to replace sugar and make something less calories. What makes stevia so sweet? Glycosides are carbohydrates, or sugar, bonded to a hydroxy (-OH) compound using a glycosidic bond.(1) That is the chemistry definition of basically saying it is a sugar molecule. Stevia contains 2 glycosides- Reb A and Reb M. There really isn’t much difference between the two. Reb A is the sweetest glycoside, but it can have a slightly bitter taste. Reb M does not have any of this bitterness.(2) Sol Energy drinks contains Reb M.
The FDA has said stevia is safe.(3) There is data suggesting stevia can help kidney function and has anti-hypertensive, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.(4)
This is why we use stevia as one of the sweeteners in our new, healthier energy drinks. If the whole point is to be healthy and clean why use aspartame or other dangerous, artificial sweeteners? So next time you see stevia listed as an ingredient in your favorite low-calorie product, rest assured that it is safe and can even potentially prevent major diseases.
Sources:
1. https://www.britannica.com/science/glycoside
2. https://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/sweeteners/reb-m-sweetens-appeal-stevia
3. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34803554/