Truvia is a zero-calorie sweetener made of natural ingredients. The brand is owned by Cargill and Coca-Cola, and is the first stevia-based sweetener approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The sweetener is most suitable for coffee and tea, although you can purchase bulk amounts for baking and cooking. Released in early 2010, Truvia contains three ingredients.
Erythritol
Erythritol is a natural sugar alcohol that is naturally low in calories while still providing a sweet taste. An April 2010 study entitled "Erythritol Is a Sweet Antioxidant," performed by G.J. den Hartog et al. and published in the journal "Nutrition," found that not only is erythritol sweet but it is also an effective antioxidant, which helps to protect the body from free radical damage associated with metabolism and environment. The erythritol constitutes approximately 3 g of carbohydrates per one 3.5-g packet of Truvia.
Rebiana
Rebiana, which comes from the leaves of the stevia plant, is 200 to 300 times more potent than sucrose, according to the 2008 study "Development of Rebiana, a Natural" conducted by I. Prakah and published in the journal "Food Chemical Toxicology." It has a sweet-tasting flavor with no significant undesired palatability, the study notes. Unlike similar non-calorie sweeteners like aspartame and neotame, rebiana is stable in dry conditions. The Mayo Clinic says that stevia is an herb native to South America. Its extract does not raise blood sugar levels, and can be useful to those with diabetes. But diabetics should take it with caution as it could cause hypoglycemia or hypotension when used in combination with drugs that control blood sugar.
Natural Flavors
The Food and Drug Administration defines natural flavor, or natural flavoring, as an essential oil, oleoresin, extracted or essence, protein hydrolysate or distillate. It can be any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis that contains a flavored spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, root, leaf or plant material, bud or bark derivatives thereof. This also applies to poultry, eggs, dairy products or fermentation where the function is more flavor than nutrition. The natural flavors in Truvia are the derivatives from the stevia plant, according to the manufacturer.
Member Comments