Stevia Rebaudiana

Stevia Rebaudiana is a plant native to South America. Its leaves contain compounds called steviol glycosides, which are intensely sweet. These compounds are extracted from the leaves and purified to create a sweetener.

Stevia is used as a high-intensity sweetener, meaning it is much sweeter than sugar. It is added to foods and beverages to provide sweetness with fewer calories. You can find it in products like sugar substitutes, diet drinks, and some processed snacks.

In the U.S., high-purity steviol glycosides are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as sweeteners. International bodies like JECFA and EFSA have also evaluated steviol glycosides. While generally recognized as safe, some people report mild digestive upset at very high intakes. Research is ongoing, but current evidence suggests stevia is safe when consumed in amounts typically found in foods.