Stevia
Stevia is a natural, no-calorie sweetener made from compounds in the leaves of the South American plant *Stevia rebaudiana*.
Stevia is a natural, no-calorie sweetener extracted from the leaves of the South American plant *Stevia rebaudiana*. It is about 200–400 times sweeter than table sugar and used widely as a sugar substitute.
What it is
Stevia comes from *Stevia rebaudiana*, a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family native to South America. The sweet taste comes from steviol glycosides found in the leaves.
Why it matters
As a no-calorie sweetener, stevia helps reduce added sugar and calorie intake. It is commonly used in beverages, tabletop sweeteners, and reduced-sugar foods because only a tiny amount is needed.
Safety and regulation
High-purity steviol glycosides are considered safe by major regulators such as the FDA when consumed within established limits. Whole-leaf stevia and crude extracts are treated differently in some regulatory frameworks.
In short
- Derived from the leaves of *Stevia rebaudiana*, a South American plant.
- Sweetness comes from steviol glycosides, extracted and purified.
- Provides essentially no calories or carbohydrates.
- High-purity extracts are considered safe for most people within intake limits.
Stevia is relevant to Canadian readers as a widely used sugar substitute in foods and beverages, especially for people reducing sugar intake or managing calorie consumption. Canadian consumers commonly encounter stevia in tabletop sweeteners and packaged reduced-sugar products, although specific Canadian regulatory details are not included in the provided sources.
Quick questions
What is stevia?
Is stevia safe?
Stevia vs sugar
Sources
- WebMD — Supports: Stevia is made from *Stevia rebaudiana* leaves; it is 200–400 times sweeter than sugar; high-purity steviol glycosides are considered safe; raw stevia is not FDA-approved.
- Cleveland Clinic — Supports: Food industry uses stevia leaves to make zero-calorie, zero-carb sugar substitutes.
- IFIC — Supports: Stevia sweeteners are safe to consume, are low- and no-calorie sweeteners, and do not raise blood glucose like sugar.
- Britannica — Supports: *Stevia rebaudiana* is a flowering plant in the aster family grown for its sweet-tasting leaves.
- Medical News Today — Supports: Stevia is no-calorie or very low calorie; high-purity stevia extract is considered safe; ADI information.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — Supports: Stevia is generally safe to use as a sweetener; side effects may include nausea and stomach fullness.
- PMC / review article — Supports: High-purity stevia leaf extract provides zero calories and ADI discussion.