Tag: Stevia extract

According to nutritional data, Simply Spiked's Signature Lemonade contains 18 grams of sugar per 12-ounce can. This fact confirms that there is indeed sugar in Simply Spiked, a key detail for consumers monitoring their intake of sweeteners. However, understanding the source and quantity of this sugar requires a closer look at the ingredients list and overall nutritional profile.

Native to South America, the stevia plant's leaves were used for centuries by indigenous populations for their sweet properties. This leads many to wonder: Is stevia supposed to be green, or is white powder the form we should expect?

According to the International Food Information Council (IFIC), many low- and no-calorie sweetener packets follow a consistent color code. This guide will detail which color sweetener is stevia by examining the common packet color and clarifying why the powdered product inside can appear either green or white.

Native to South America, the stevia plant is the source of the high-purity extract found in Splenda Stevia. The final product is not just pure stevia, but a zero-calorie blend of several key components designed to taste like sugar without the calories.

High Reb A stevia is a highly refined extract of the *Stevia rebaudiana* plant, containing a minimum of 95% Rebaudioside A for a clean, sweet taste. This zero-calorie sweetener is an increasingly popular natural alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners, offering intense sweetness without impacting blood sugar.

Steviol glycosides, the intensely sweet compounds found in stevia leaves, are 200 to 400 times sweeter than table sugar. Consequently, a standard 1-gram stevia packet is mostly composed of bulking agents, containing only a small, concentrated amount of the actual stevia extract.

Maltodextrin is in over 75% of processed foods in North America, and is often used to bulk up stevia. Fortunately, it is possible to find stevia without maltodextrin by understanding product forms and label information, which ensures a cleaner, zero-calorie choice.

Over 95% of the steviol glycosides in a quality stevia extract determine its purity and taste. However, many products on the market contain fillers, masking agents, and other ingredients, making it challenging for consumers to distinguish genuine, high-quality stevia from inferior alternatives.

While the *Stevia rebaudiana* plant can absorb heavy metals from its environment, extensive purification processes are used to ensure the safety of commercial high-purity steviol glycoside sweeteners. Regulatory bodies impose strict limits on contaminants to protect consumers.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), highly purified stevia leaf extracts are considered "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) for use as a sweetener. Despite this designation, many people still wonder, "Are there side effects to stevia leaf extract?" and what potential health risks might be associated with this popular sugar substitute.