The New Generation of Sweeteners
A plant by the name of Stevia has been getting a lot of attention recently. It seems promising as a new generation of no-calorie sweetener: Great news for people watching their waistline as well as people with diabetes who limit their intake of sugar. One company, Cargill, manufactures a product made from Stevia under the brand name, Truvia. Pepsi-Co is working with The Whole Earth Sweetener Company and they call their version PureVia. Here’s the scoop: 
Truvia and PureVia both contain Rebiana. This is a derivative of the leaves of the stevia plant. The companies that manufacture it (Cargill and Coca-Cola) report it “only consists of the best-tasting components of the stevia leaf”. The sweet leaf of the stevia plant is dried, steeped in water, and further purified to provide a calorie-free sweet taste.
Truvia also contains erythritol, a sugar alcohol which acts as the carrier for the sweetener. It is a sugar alcohol with a digestive pathway that results in very little of it remaining in the large intestine (as happens with some other sugar alcohols), reducing the likelihood of gas or bloating.
Rebiana has been studied and found not to contribute calories, or to affect the blood sugar of people with type 2 diabetes. The coca-cola company claims it’s product has no aftertaste, even though many products containing Stevia do have a lingering aftertaste for many people.
Coca Cola is ready to release some beverages containing Truvia, even while the compound is pending FDA approval. The Pepsi company will be following shortly, but are awaiting the final nod from the FDA, which was expected in November. The rebiana product itself is allowed in food products under the GRAS list (generally regarded as safe) under FDA law. The sweetness of rebiana keeps it less suitable for carbonated beverages, so look for it in teas and juices in your supermarket very soon.
Written by Laurie Beebe
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About The Author: Laurie Beebe has been a registered dietitian for 25 years and is certified in adult weight management. Laurie currently serves as a Related posts:
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