Many people are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, organic, non-GMO, all-natural, kosher, etc. The best stevia products appeal to the diversity of consumers. This also includes being safe for children and pregnant women. Stevia products should also be manufactured in a facility that is regulated and approved by the FDA. Stevia products that follow stringent quality assurance procedures are among the best on the market. Many brands that manufacture stevia products specialize in supplements, ingredients, or sweeteners.
These are all competitive industries with little federal regulation. Trusted brands who go the extra mile to ensure their products are high-quality, safe, and use the finest ingredients produce the best stevia products. The best stevia products contain minimal ingredients, are suitable for various lifestyles i.
Stevia products can be used as part of a healthy lifestyle, however. This is because stevia products are extremely low in calories or completely free of calories. The stevia extract itself has no calories, but some manufacturers add other ingredients like artificial sweeteners and natural flavors, which may slightly affect the number of calories.
None of the calories in stevia products come from fat or protein. Since stevia products are generally zero-calorie, they make a great alternative to refined sugar or other natural sweeteners, which can be high in calories. Stevia products are the perfect solution to replacing refined sugar. Some of the ways that stevia compares to sugar include: Calories One teaspoon of sugar has approximately 16 calories.
Imagine replacing that chunk of calories with a zero-calorie sweetener. Being so low in calorie, stevia products can help lower your caloric intake while still providing the sweetness that you crave. Sugar is also highly addictive.
Applications Stevia extract is processed in such a way to closely resemble table sugar, making it easy to switch.
Some of the ways that stevia can replace sugar in your everyday routine include sweetening your coffee or tea, sprinkled on cereal, mixed in oatmeal, sweetening lemonade, mixed in unsweetened yogurt, and many more applications in recipes that call for sugar in cooking and baking. Fortunately, the Federal Drug Administration FDA has stated that stevia products are safe to use and there have been over clinical studies on the safety and efficacy of stevia.
While stevia is considered safe by the FDA, some users have reported side effects. Most of these side effects have to do with the digestive system since stevia is a food item. Stevia can also interfere with gut flora in the microbiome, which can lead to a multitude of other digestive illnesses.
The stevia plant belongs to the Asteraceae plant family, which includes daisies, dandelions, ragweeds, chrysanthemums, zinnias, and thousands of other herbs, shrubs, and flowers. People with allergies to Asteraceae plants should avoid stevia products or use stevia products with caution. Stevia products may also interfere with some medications.
Some of the main health benefits of consuming stevia products include: Manages blood sugar Stevia products produce significantly lower insulin and glucose levels compared to sucrose table sugar and other artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Stevia products are also believed to naturally treat endocrine diseases, such as diabetes, and metabolic syndrome due to their aqueous extracts and steviol content.
Creating a caloric deficit leads to healthy weight loss and management. Because stevia can help manage metabolic syndrome, which is linked to obesity, stevia products can be an effective zero-calorie replacement in foods and beverages that would otherwise contain high-calorie sucrose.
Long-term studies support the findings that stevia products help lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Stevia also increases high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol levels, which is the good kind of cholesterol that removes bad cholesterol from the bloodstream.
Stevia has a naturally sweet taste, but many people describe it as tasting like licorice. Many people also consider stevia products to have a strange aftertaste similar to diet sodas. Stevia products may contain other sweetening agents to balance out the strong flavor of stevia. The products containing only stevia extract may have stronger flavors than other stevia products.
Higher quality sources of stevia are also believed to taste better. Some researchers believe that stevia products may be especially beneficial to children as they decrease their sugar intake. Stevia products are considered safe for people with diabetes. Just like with regular, granulated sugar, stevia can be added to just about any sort of food item that you would like to consume.
Down below, we give you a list of ideas to get you started on using it: Coffee and tea As previously mentioned, you can add stevia to your fresh brew, whether it be coffee or tea. Especially if you do not like drinking it plain or black, it is a good alternative to keeping the same taste that you are accustomed to.
Baked goods From cookies to cakes to pies and everything in between, there is no problem in substituting granulated sugar with stevia. However, be careful with measurements, for stevia is much more potent in sweetness than normal sugar — that said, you only need a little bit to get the same equivalent as with sugar itself.
Again, you only need a little bit for the same effect as sugar, so be careful not to overload on it! The different types of stevia products have different applications. Powdered stevia, for example, can make a great sugar replacement in baking and cooking. Liquid stevia drops, on the other hand, work much better as a water enhancer or to sweeten smoothies, protein shakes, and other drinks.
The conversion from sugar to stevia varies per product. In powdered stevia products, the conversion will likely be a fraction of a teaspoon. In liquid stevia drops, the conversion will usually be a couple of drops. In stevia products containing only pure stevia extract, you may need as little as one teaspoon of pure stevia extract to replace one cup of sugar. Your stevia product will most likely have a conversion chart on the packaging to make this very easy.
However, sometimes manufactures need to add ingredients to stevia products for various reasons — improve the flavor, preserve the product, make it easier to digest, dilute the potent stevia extract, etc. A common ingredient added to stevia products is erythritol. This is a sweetening agent that complements the strong flavor of stevia while diluting the product, so it lasts longer. These are considered stevia-based sweetener products. These products prioritize sweetness over the benefits of consuming stevia.
When it comes to regular, granulated sugar, taking in too much of it can lead to problems such as developing Type 2 diabetes, increasing blood sugar levels thereby resulting in hypertension , weight gain, and also cavities in the teeth. In fact, such types of sugar are considered just as dangerous as illegal drugs such as cocaine, as it can get really addictive and result in severe withdrawal symptoms should you cut back.
That said, stevia is considered a better alternative to normal sugar, for it not only has the same sweet taste if not more potent , but also it does not create the same problems as normal sugar does. In other words, stevia does not have the same properties as sugar which increases blood sugar levels, thereby avoiding the possibility of developing Type 2 diabetes and hypertension aka high blood pressure.
In a way, it is a healthier alternative, all the while allowing you to avoid sacrificing sugar altogether for consumption. Some of the products contain extremely minimal amounts of carbs due to the erythritol contained, but these products lack any trace of the licorice aftertaste some all-organic blends present. The most carbs a product will have is g. Yes, any of the granulated or powder forms of stevia contained in our list can be used as substitutes for sugar in your favorite baking recipes.
However, some of the products are not intended for baking, and the companies that make them also provide products specifically designed to be used in baking recipes. The majority of cases report that stevia is much sweeter than Splenda, and it also tastes much more similar to pure sugar. It also is non-GMO and free of aspartame, making it a much healthier option.
No, none of the products in our list contain aspartame, as aspartame can have deleterious health effects as well as ruin the healthy, sweet taste of our stevia picks. The natural flavors are normally a proprietary blend of ingredients to balance out the bitter taste of the stevia. The author and the publisher present all contained information for educative purposes only.
Read carefully all product packaging and instructions for any services or products mentioned or suggested on this website and observe all safety instructions. For more information, read our Disclaimer. Disclosure: We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. By Lacey Bourassa. In a Hurry? Editors choice:. Best Deal. Expand Most Recent Updates.
July 26, By Lacey Bourassa:. SweetLeaf 4. Micro Ingredients — Organic Stevia. Expand to see more Ingredients This stevia product only has one ingredient: organic stevia powder. Applications Since this powdered stevia product is far more potent than others, you need significantly less of it for your sweetening needs. Value With over servings, this product is one of the longest lasting. Organic Zero-calorie Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Kosher Gluten-free Free of additives and fillers Contains servings Uses pure stevia extract Comes with a pre-measured scoop for convenience.
Slightly more expensive up-front than other stevia products. Pyure — Organic Stevia. Expand to see more Ingredients This sweetener only has three ingredients: organic erythritol, organic rebaudioside A Reb-A , and natural flavors. The package comes with 1 pound of product Applications Pyure Brands labels their stevia product as an all-purpose blend, so its applications are endless and similar to that of sugar. Quality This brand harvests their stevia leaves from high-quality sources of organic, non-GMO stevia plants.
Value With servings per package, this stevia product is long-lasting. Expand to see more Ingredients The SweetLeaf Sweet Drops in the Vanilla flavor only contain four ingredients: purified water, organic stevia leaf extract, natural flavors, and vanilla extract. Quality The stevia products made by SweetLeaf are zero-calorie, zero-carb, and zero-glycemic.
Value With the cost being less than a penny per drop and servings per package, this product is a great value. Limited applications Must be refrigerated after opening. Expand to see more Ingredients The new Sweet Drops have new packaging as well as a new formula.
Value Compared to other stevia products, these SweetLeaf squeezable bottles contain more servings. Pure reb A is to times sweeter than table sugar with a characteristic slightly bitter, licorice-like aftertaste. Another steviol glycoside in stores, called stevioside, has a much more intense bitter aftertaste than Reb A.
Reb D and reb M are considered the " better -tasting" and "more sugar-like" stevia. The best-tasting sweeteners have blends of a variety of steviol glycosides. There is A LOT to see here. Scroll down to explore it all or, if you are short on time, make your choice below:. Stevia leaf extracts are food ingredients with GRAS status. The leaf extracts go through a great deal of processing and purification until they become palatable and free of impurities.
They provides zero calories and are to times sweeter than table sugar. Find here a variety of brands of pure stevia leaf extract. Find here brands of liquid stevia. The most common carriers include glycerine, erythitol, alcohol, and cellulose. Some are sold as dietary supplements and allow health claims on labels.
Find here a variety of brands of stevia-erythritol blend. Find here a variety of brands of stevia-inulin blend. Find here brands of stevia-carbohydrates blends.
Most common carbohydrates include maltodextrin, glucose, and cellulose. Maltodextrin-based sweeteners that measure like sugar on a ratio are included with 'blends with less sugar'. Stevia with allulose sweeteners brands and products in stores. Stevia is the term used to refer to steviol glycosides highly refined extracts from the leaves of the stevia plant Monk fruit is the term used to refer to mogrosides extracts obtained from the luo han guo fruit. The whole-leaf Stevia is dried, cut, and turn into a green powder.
It has a very mild sweet taste and does not dissolve well. Benefits of stevia In general, stevia sweeteners offer no benefits, but the sugar substitutes I list here contain beneficial ingredients added to stevia vitamins, dietary fibers, etc. About 25 products contain pure stevia leaf extract—without any additives or fillers. They are super sweet, so a little goes a long way.
Many products come with their own little measuring spoons, but if they don't, you can buy your own mini measuring spoon set or a complete set like this one.
Start with the amount recommended by the seller and adjust to taste. Can you bake with pure stevia or substitute it for sugar? Yes, but keep in mind that they don't offer bulk volume and weight. They don't contribute to texture, shelf life, moisture retention, color, and aroma. And that's why the vast majority of the stevia sweeteners you'll find in stores are not going to be pure leaf extract. Keep scrolling down to see how most products are blends of extracts with a bulking agent.
Click the Try it button of each sweetener to be linked to Amazon. Affiliate links help keep this content free Full disclosure. Liquid stevia sweeteners are blends of leaf extract and water.
Flavors, preservatives, or both are often added to improve taste and maintain freshness. What are some of the best ways to use stevia? Stevia can be used in almost every way that sugar can. You can add it to your foods, beverages, and recipes in which you would normally add sugar too. What is stevia? Stevia is a wildly popular sugar substitute that comes directly from the stevia plant.
The stevia plant, native to countries like Brazil, is known for its sweet taste. Stevia leaves are processed to produce the powder-like substance, known as stevia, that can be used in place of sugar in food and beverages. After its brief three year ban in the early s, stevia has steadily become one of the most popular and healthy sugar substitutes on the market.
Unlike most sugar substitutes, stevia provides zero calories and zero impact on blood sugar — making stevia the perfect alternative sweetener that can also help improve your health.
Can stevia lower blood pressure? What are the differences between sugar and stevia? Stevia and sugar are very similar in two areas: taste and origin.
They are both all-natural and provide sweetness to whatever they are added to. Other than that, these two ingredients are light-years away from each other. On average, sugar contains about 4 calories per serving and has a glycemic index of about It will lead to a significant increase in blood glucose levels shortly after consumption. Stevia comes directly from the leaves of the stevia plant and has 0 calories per gram.
Can stevia benefit your arteries? Yes, stevia can benefit your arteries by reducing plaque build-up. A study looked at how Stevioside could decrease plaque build up and improve cholesterol profiles in obese mice. Researchers found that mice who were administered the Stevioside treatment were associated with lower levels of atherosclerotic plaque development due to improved insulin signaling and antioxidant defense Will stevia cause weight gain?
In fact, stevia is well known to help people lose weight by reducing appetite. In at least one study, scientists determined that stevia consumption reduces appetite and improves satiety. Stevia can also help reduce overall caloric intake when substituted for sugar. Can stevia prevent cancer?
There has been some research showing that stevia compounds like Stevioside can be toxic to cancerous cells, making them ideal to preventing cancer Is stevia safe for diabetics? Stevia is one of the better sugar substitutes for those with diabetes or issues with blood sugar control.
The glycemic index is a scale used to determine how similar a food product or additive is to actual glucose, with glucose being at the top of the scale. Since glucose intake triggers an intense blood sugar level response, diabetics should consume products that are lower on the glycemic index to help control their blood sugar levels.
Stevia has a glycemic index of zero, while table sugar has a glycemic index of 63, making it an incredible sugar substitute for diabetics. Can stevia improve cholesterol? Yes, stevia can improve good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol. In a month long study, subjects consumed 20ml of stevia extract daily.
Researchers found stevia increased the good HDL cholesterol and lowered total cholesterol, LDL bad cholesterol It also lowered triglycerides Is stevia keto-friendly? Stevia is one of the best sugar substitutes when it comes to the keto diet because it does not impact blood sugar levels and has roughly one gram of carbohydrates per serving. Does stevia negatively affect your gut flora? A study showed stevia might negatively affect gut flora, by negatively affecting the healthy bacteria Is stevia cancerous?
There is no science to support the idea that stevia is correlated with cancer. In , stevia was banned because there was a concern that it contained substances and chemicals that could cause cancer.
After a three year ban, major health organizations determined that there was no legitimate concern about cancer development after using stevia. Since then, several other studies have been conducted and have yet to prove a definitive link between stevia consumption and cancer.
Is stevia safe to consume during pregnancy? Stevia extract has been shown to be safe to consume during pregnancy. However, the less processed whole-leaf stevia, is not safe for pregnant women and should be avoided. What are the best ways to consume stevia? Stevia can be consumed in a variety of ways including in beverages, in yogurt and in baked goods. Is stevia an artificial sweetener? Stevia is not an artificial sweetener, but rather a natural sweetener.
Artificial sweeteners are chemical-based sweeteners designed to mimic the effects of sugar without producing negative side effects. Conversely, natural sweeteners like stevia and xylitol, come from natural sources. Stevia comes directly from the stevia plant and does not contain artificial ingredients on its own.
What does stevia taste like? Stevia has been said to provide a moderate licorice-like aftertaste. It is also x sweeter than sugar, so a little bit goes a long way. Is stevia safe for children? Stevia is safe for children. However, because they are much smaller humans, they can consume the upper limit quite quickly — making it important to actively monitor their consumption.
Kids should not have more than 4mg per kg of bodyweight. Is stevia approved by the FDA? Whole-leaf stevia and crude stevia are not, and should be used with caution. Stevia is an all-natural sugar substitute that has no documented side effects.
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