Rebaudioside A From Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf

Rebaudioside A is a sweet compound extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, native to South America. It is one of several steviol glycosides that give stevia its intense sweetness. The extraction process typically involves water or alcohol to isolate the glycosides from the leaves, followed by purification.

Manufacturers use Rebaudioside A as a high-intensity sweetener, providing sweetness with virtually no calories. It is often blended with other sweeteners to improve taste profile. It is commonly found in sugar-free or reduced-sugar products like beverages, desserts, and confectionery.

Rebaudioside A is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a sweetener. International bodies like the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have also evaluated steviol glycosides, including Rebaudioside A, and established acceptable daily intakes. Studies generally show no adverse effects at typical consumption levels. Some people report a slight licorice-like aftertaste.