The Core Ingredients of Splenda Stevia
Unlike the original Splenda (yellow packets), which is made with the artificial sweetener sucralose, Splenda Stevia (green packets) is made from ingredients of natural origin. The product's formulation focuses on two primary components: high-purity stevia leaf extract and a bulking agent called erythritol. The specific proportions of these ingredients are key to the product's taste and texture.
Stevia Leaf Extract: The Sweetness Source
The sweetness in Splenda Stevia comes from steviol glycosides, natural compounds found in the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant.
- Cultivation: The stevia plants used for Splenda products are often grown in the United States, such as on their farms in Florida, to ensure quality and taste.
- Extraction and Purification: The process involves harvesting and drying the stevia leaves, steeping them in water, and then extracting and purifying the sweet components. This ensures the extract meets the regulatory standard of at least 95% steviol glycosides.
- Rebaudioside D (Reb D): Splenda specifically uses Reb D, one of the sweetest steviol glycosides, to achieve a sugar-like taste without the notable bitter aftertaste often associated with other stevia extracts like Reb A.
Erythritol: The Bulking Agent
Because stevia extract is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar, a bulking agent is necessary to allow it to be measured and used in proportions similar to sugar. This is where erythritol comes in.
- What is it?: Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in some fruits and fermented foods. The erythritol used in Splenda Stevia is non-GMO and produced through a fermentation process using non-GMO corn.
- Purpose: It provides volume and a sugar-like texture, making the product easy to measure and blend into beverages and recipes. It has zero calories because it is quickly absorbed by the small intestine and excreted largely unchanged through urine.
- Health Considerations: While generally considered safe for consumption, some recent studies have raised concerns about high erythritol consumption potentially affecting cardiovascular health in at-risk individuals, though more research is ongoing. It is important to note that the erythritol itself, not the stevia extract, can also cause digestive discomfort like bloating in high doses.
Potential Health Impacts of Splenda Stevia
Splenda Stevia is often chosen by individuals looking to reduce sugar intake, including those managing diabetes or following low-calorie diets. Here is what to know about its health impacts:
- Blood Sugar Control: As a non-nutritive sweetener, Splenda Stevia does not raise blood sugar or insulin levels, making it a suitable sugar replacement for many with diabetes. However, some blended products, including some stevia brands, may contain other ingredients like maltodextrin that can impact blood glucose.
- Gut Health: Steviol glycosides pass largely unabsorbed through the upper GI tract, reaching the colon where gut bacteria can metabolize them. This interaction can affect the gut microbiome, with studies yielding mixed results on the overall impact. Some blends containing sugar alcohols may also cause gastrointestinal issues in sensitive individuals.
- Moderation is Key: While FDA-approved high-purity stevia extract is considered safe, experts advise moderation. The potential side effects from erythritol, particularly related to cardiovascular health, highlight the need for cautious consumption, especially in those with pre-existing conditions. A detailed review on the safety of non-nutritive sweeteners by the National Institutes of Health provides more insight into the broader topic.
Comparison Table: Splenda Stevia vs. Original Splenda
| Feature | Splenda Stevia (Green Packet) | Original Splenda (Yellow Packet) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Sweetener | High-purity stevia leaf extract (Reb D) | Sucralose |
| Secondary Ingredient | Erythritol (sugar alcohol) | Maltodextrin and Dextrose |
| Origin | Natural origin, plant-based | Artificial (chemically modified sugar) |
| Sweetness Level | About 200–350x sweeter than sugar | About 400–700x sweeter than sugar |
| Aftertaste | Minimal or none (due to Reb D) | Generally considered to have no aftertaste |
| Calorie Count | Zero calories per serving | Minimal calories, typically labeled as zero |
Conclusion: Decoding Your Sweetener
Understanding what Splenda Stevia is made of empowers consumers to make informed dietary choices. It's a blend of naturally sourced stevia extract and erythritol, crafted to deliver sweetness without calories or the aftertaste found in some other stevia products. While purified stevia extract is a well-studied and safe ingredient, the inclusion of erythritol introduces additional health considerations, including potential cardiovascular risks at high consumption levels. For individuals seeking to reduce sugar, it represents a plant-based alternative to traditional and artificial sweeteners, but like any dietary choice, moderation is essential.
What is Splenda stevia made of?: The Key Ingredients
- Sweetener: The primary sweetening agent in Splenda Stevia is a highly purified extract from the stevia plant, known as steviol glycosides.
- Specific Glycoside: Splenda uses Rebaudioside D (Reb D), one of the sweetest steviol glycosides, to achieve a cleaner taste profile with less bitterness.
- Bulking Agent: Erythritol, a sugar alcohol, is used to add volume and texture to the product, making it easy to measure and pour.
- Non-GMO: The stevia leaf extract and erythritol in Splenda Stevia are both sourced from non-genetically modified ingredients.
- Sourcing: The stevia plants are hand-selected and grown on Splenda Stevia Farms in the U.S. before extraction and purification.
- No Sucralose: Unlike original Splenda, the stevia product does not contain sucralose.
- Minimal Ingredients: The ingredient list is typically short, focusing on stevia leaf extract and erythritol, with dextrose potentially used in some packet versions.
