The stevia herb is used in the United States as an artificial sweetener. It doesn't contain any sugar, which is desirable for diabetics and for health-conscience individuals. Beverage manufacturers are taking advantage of this zero-calorie, zero-carbohydrate sweetener and creating new diet drinks and diet sodas. According to a 2008 article in the Wall Street Journal titled "FDA Clears Use of Herb As Sweetener," citrus-flavored products work well with the flavor of the new sugar, but scientists are still trying to create the well-known cola taste.
History
In the late 1800s, saccharin was introduced to the market as the first low-calorie artificial sweetener. This chemical sweetener is still used today in some products. The U.S Food and Drug Administration decided in late 2008 that the highly purified form of stevia, known as rebaudioside A, was safe for use in food and beverages, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Types
Truvia and PureVia are two types of zero-calorie natural sweeteners made from highly purified rebaudioside A. Manufacturers of these products extract a compound known as rebiana from the stevia leaves and process it with other natural ingredients to produce a powder that can be used at home for food and beverages. According to Natural News.com, stevia has no effect on blood sugar levels, and the stevia rebaudiana plant is 15 times as sweet as sugar and once processed can be 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar.
Significance
Coke and Pepsi have both rushed to market new beverages with the natural, zero-calorie sweetener. Coke used it in Truvia and Pepsi used it in PureVia, according to BevReview.com. Another company that recently expanded its range of products is Kraft Foods, which now has a low-calorie fitness beverage naturally sweetened with Truvia.
Idenification
Sprite Green, a Coke product, has 50 calories in an 8.5 oz. bottle and uses Truvia brand as its sweetener. Pepsi introduced zero calorie versions of SoBe LifeWater, which comes in three flavors and uses the PureVia brand of sweetener. Kraft Foods created a low-calorie fitness beverage called Pure Fitness. These beverages use the Truvia brand sweetener, they contain no caffeine, and are gluten-free, according to Food Navigator-USA.com.
Considerations
Beverage companies such as Pepsi and Kraft Foods are encouraging healthy low-calorie drinks for those who are dieting and trying to eat healthfully. The new product from Pepsi, SoBe LifeWater, has many vitamins, including a full day's supply of vitamin C, vitamin E and the recommended daily value of vitamins B-12, B-6, B-3 and B-5, according to BevReview.com. Some side effects reported from the use of stevia include pain and weakness, dizziness, abdominal fullness and nausea. Also, kidney activity might be affected from higher doses of stevia.
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