And Stevia

Stevia is a high-intensity sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, native to South America. The sweet compounds, called steviol glycosides, are extracted from the leaves and purified. These extracts are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar.

Stevia is used as a zero-calorie sweetener in a wide range of food and beverage products. Manufacturers use it to reduce sugar and calorie content while maintaining sweetness. It's commonly found in diet drinks, yogurts, baked goods, and tabletop sweeteners.

High-purity steviol glycoside extracts are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a sweetener. International bodies like JECFA have evaluated steviol glycosides and established acceptable daily intakes. Some studies have explored potential effects on blood sugar and blood pressure, but findings are not always consistent. The FDA is also reviewing whole-leaf stevia and crude stevia extracts for food use.