A New Sweetener on the Market

There’s a new sweetener on the market, and some predict it’s going to claim at least 20% of the sweetener market within the next few years. It claims zero calories, zero carbs, and, as U.S. New and World Report article states, "zero chance of a spike in blood sugar levels."

The new sweetener, which the FDA is likely to approve, is called Stevia. Stevia is derived from the leaves of the Latin American herb stevia, which contains a substance hundreds of times more potent than sugar. Products with Stevia already on the drawing board include PureVia, Truvia, SweetLeaf -- most of these have been developed by manufacturers such as Wisdom Natural Brands, Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola, etc., in creating a new brand of product, one which may be far healthier than any other sweetener out there.

When you consider that a packet of sugar contains about 11 calories, 3 grams of carbohydrates, and an estimated glycemic level of 2, changes downward from there can be really helpful. Splenda, in comparison, has 3 calories, 1 grams of carbs, and a glycemic load of 1, according to NutritionData. Stevia has 0 calories, 0 carbs, and a glycemic load of ...0.

Health experts recommend that consumers use products that are at least 95 percent pure; avoid those products which contain bulking agents.

There is expectation that Stevia products will be out, after FDA approval, by the end of the year.