Nutrition Diet: What stevia has erythritol in it? A Guide to Stevia Blends

October 21, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, the majority of packaged stevia sweeteners on the market are not pure stevia but blends containing a bulking agent, often erythritol. This makes it crucial for anyone managing their nutrition diet to know what stevia has erythritol in it? in order to make informed choices about sugar alternatives and their potential health impacts.

Quick Summary

Most commercial stevia powders use erythritol as a bulking agent to mimic sugar's texture and counteract pure stevia's intense sweetness. Common brands like Truvia and Splenda Naturals contain this blend, though pure stevia options exist. Health impacts, taste, and use cases vary based on the specific blend.

Key Points

Not all stevia contains erythritol: While common in granulated and powdered forms, many liquid stevia extracts do not contain any bulking agents.
Erythritol provides bulk and neutralizes aftertaste: Manufacturers add erythritol to stevia to improve texture, make it easier to measure, and mask the bitter notes sometimes associated with pure stevia extract.
Check the ingredient list: The only way to know if your stevia product has erythritol is by reading the ingredient label, as packaging can be misleading.
Brands with erythritol: Popular commercial brands such as Truvia, Splenda Naturals, and Wholesome Sweeteners commonly contain erythritol.
Consider cardiovascular risk: A 2023 study suggested a potential link between high erythritol levels and increased heart attack and stroke risk, a key consideration for high-risk individuals.
Use case matters: Blended stevia is great for baking, but for beverages, a pure liquid extract might be sufficient and erythritol-free.
Digestive tolerance varies: While generally well-tolerated, large quantities of erythritol can cause digestive upset in some sensitive individuals.

Why erythritol is added to stevia blends

Stevia leaf extract is incredibly potent, sometimes hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. A tiny amount is sufficient to sweeten a beverage. To make stevia easier to measure and use as a 1:1 sugar replacement in recipes, manufacturers combine it with a bulking agent. Erythritol, a sugar alcohol, is a popular choice for this purpose for several reasons:

Provides Bulk: It adds mass and volume, which is essential for baking and cooking, where sugar plays a role in texture and structure.
Neutralizes Aftertaste: Some people perceive a slight bitter or licorice-like aftertaste from pure stevia extract. Erythritol has a clean, sugar-like sweetness that helps to mask this.
Enhances Mouthfeel: It provides a pleasant, sugar-like crystalline texture and mouthfeel that pure stevia cannot offer.
Zero-Calorie and Low Glycemic: Like stevia, erythritol is considered zero-calorie (or very low-calorie at 0.2 calories per gram) and does not spike blood sugar, making it a good option for people with diabetes or those on keto diets.

Popular brands using stevia and erythritol

To answer the question, "What stevia has erythritol in it?", it's important to look at the ingredients of common brands. Many of the most popular granulated and powdered stevia products on the market are, in fact, blends with erythritol being the primary ingredient by weight. Some of the most well-known brands include:

Truvia: This is one of the most prominent brands associated with stevia and erythritol. Its granular product is a concoction of erythritol and rebaudioside A (Reb-A), a highly refined stevia extract.
Splenda Naturals Stevia: Similar to Truvia, the jar and packet versions of Splenda's stevia offering contain erythritol for bulk.
Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Stevia with Erythritol: This product specifically advertises its blend of organic stevia with erythritol.
Health Garden Stevia With Erythritol: Another brand that explicitly sells a stevia-erythritol blend.

Stevia products without erythritol

For those who wish to avoid erythritol, it is essential to seek out products explicitly labeled as pure stevia extract or look at the ingredients list. Many liquid stevia drops contain only stevia extract, water, and sometimes natural flavors, but no erythritol. Some powdered brands, like certain offerings from NOW Foods, also do not include erythritol as a bulking agent, though it's important to check the label for each specific product.

Potential health implications

While stevia and erythritol are both generally considered safe, blending them introduces different health considerations. Both are non-nutritive and have a glycemic index of zero, making them suitable for diabetics. However, some differences and potential risks exist:

Digestive Effects

Erythritol is generally better tolerated than other sugar alcohols like xylitol or sorbitol. However, in large quantities, especially for individuals with sensitive stomachs, it can still lead to digestive issues like gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Stevia, when used alone in the small amounts necessary for sweetness, typically has a minimal digestive impact.

Cardiovascular Concerns

A 2023 study published in Nature Medicine highlighted a potential link between high levels of erythritol in the blood and an increased risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke. The study found that erythritol enhanced platelet activity, potentially increasing clot formation. While more research is needed to confirm the association and its relevance to the general population, it has raised caution, especially for individuals already at high risk for heart problems. This is a key reason for some people to be mindful of erythritol in their blended stevia products.

Comparison: Stevia/Erythritol Blend vs. Other Sweeteners


Feature	Stevia/Erythritol Blend	Pure Stevia Extract	Table Sugar (Sucrose)
Calories	Zero	Zero	4 calories per gram
Glycemic Index	Zero	Zero	High
Sweetness	Measures 1:1 like sugar	Highly concentrated (200-400x)	1x (standard)
Taste Profile	Clean, sugar-like with no bitterness	Can have bitter aftertaste	Sweet, familiar taste
Bulk for Baking	Excellent for baking and measuring	Not suitable for providing bulk	Excellent for baking texture and volume
Primary Ingredients	Erythritol and stevia extract	Steviol glycosides only	Sucrose
Cardiovascular Risk	Potential link per recent studies	No known links	Significant risk factor for chronic disease

How to make an informed choice

When managing your diet, knowing what you consume is paramount. To ensure you know what's in your sweetener, follow these steps:

Read the Ingredient Label: Do not rely on front-of-package marketing. Flip the product over and read the ingredients. Erythritol will be clearly listed if it's included.
Consider Your Needs: If you're baking and need a 1:1 sugar replacement, a stevia-erythritol blend is a functional choice. If you just need a few drops for your coffee, a pure liquid stevia extract may be a better option.
Evaluate Health Risks: If you have existing heart conditions, obesity, or diabetes, it is wise to consult your physician about your erythritol intake. Choosing pure stevia or other sweeteners might be a more cautious approach.
Taste and Budget: Experiment with different types. While some people dislike the aftertaste of pure stevia, others prefer it. Blends tend to be more expensive due to the additional processing and ingredients.

Conclusion

While many popular stevia products do contain erythritol, it's not a universal truth. Brands like Truvia and Splenda Naturals include it to enhance taste and provide bulk, making them useful for baking. However, pure stevia extracts in both liquid and powder form are also readily available for those who prefer to avoid sugar alcohols. Recent studies linking erythritol to cardiovascular risk for at-risk individuals underscore the importance of label awareness, especially for those with health concerns. By understanding your sweetener's composition and your personal health needs, you can make the best choice for your dietary goals.

For further reading on the health impacts of various sweeteners, a good resource is the International Food Information Council (IFIC).

Frequently Asked Questions

Brands like Truvia, Splenda Naturals, and most other granulated stevia packets and jars will typically list erythritol as a primary ingredient. It is used to provide bulk and a sugar-like texture.

Pure stevia extract is extremely concentrated and sweet, so it doesn't need a bulking agent. It is often sold in small containers as a liquid or concentrated powder for sweetening beverages or other applications where bulk is not needed.

Erythritol is generally recognized as safe, but a 2023 study linked it to potential cardiovascular risks in high-risk individuals. It's recommended to consult a doctor if you have existing heart conditions and to consume it in moderation.

To find a stevia product without erythritol, look for liquid stevia drops or concentrated pure stevia extract powder. Always check the ingredient label and avoid products that list 'erythritol' or other sugar alcohols.

Yes, erythritol has a clean, mild, and sugar-like taste, sometimes with a cooling sensation. This is different from the occasional bitter or licorice-like aftertaste associated with some pure stevia extracts.

Yes, blends containing erythritol are specifically formulated to measure and bake like sugar. This is a primary reason for including the bulking agent, as pure stevia cannot replicate sugar's volume or texture in baking.

No, like stevia, erythritol does not affect blood sugar or insulin levels. This makes it a popular sweetener for those with diabetes or following a low-carb or keto diet.