Which is better – Splenda or Stevia?

Many individuals use sweeteners such as Stevia and Splenda as sugar substitutes. They have a sweet flavour without adding calories or influencing blood sugar levels. Both are available as stand-alone items as well as ingredients in a variety of calorie-free, light, and diet foods.

The biggest question is, which on is the better or healthier between Splenda or Stevia?

In this article, we will examine the difference between Splenda and Stevia and which one is healthier than the other.

Stevia

Stevia rebaudiana is a plant native to Brazil and Paraguay that is used to make natural sweeteners. The most important thing to know about the stevia plant is that it contains glycosides, which are very sweet substances. These substances can be extracted and refined from the leaves using a method that involves steeping the dried leaves in water, screening the steeping liquid for organic material, and then isolating the glycosides to create a concentrated resin. This technique produces a popular natural sweetener that is 200 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar while also containing no calories.

Splenda

Splenda is a sugar substitute made from artificial sweeteners. Splenda, unlike stevia, does not occur in nature: This additive is made using a chemical procedure that involves replacing the three hydrogen groups in table sugar’s molecular structure with chlorine molecules. Sucralose is the ingredient that gives Splenda (and many other sugar-free products like chewing gum, soda, and ice cream) its sweetness following this adjusting procedure. Splenda is the brand name for a sucralose-based artificial sweetener that is the most widely used.

Splenda comprises dextrose and maltodextrin, two easily digestible carbohydrates that contribute a small number of calories to the sweetener, in addition to sucralose (an indigestible molecule). However, considering how little Splenda is required to have the desired effect, the calories in Splenda are negligible: This sweetener is 400 to 700 times sweeter than normal sugar, therefore it’s unquestionably effective in giving meals and beverages a saccharine flavor.

Note: It’s worth noting that Splenda can still be marketed as a “no-calorie” sweetener because it fulfills the FDA’s definition of “no-calorie,” which is less than 5 calories per serving.

Difference between Splenda and Stevia

Splenda is an Artificial Sweetener, Whereas Stevia is a Natural Sweetener

Splenda, as previously said, is the consequence of mad science. Sucralose, in other words, is a man-made substance that does not exist in nature. There’s nothing wrong with this intrinsically.

But stevia is a naturally derived, plant-based sweetener that performs similarly, it may be a better option for individuals who like to go organic. (However, stevia is also found in highly processed blends like Truvia and Stevia in the Raw.)

Splenda is Sweeter than Stevia

Pure table sugar may appear to be at the top of the sweetness scale, but this is not the case. Splenda and stevia are both sweeter than sugar, with the former being the most so. Splenda has 700 times the sweetness of sugar, while stevia has 200 – 300 times the sweetness of sugar. Nonetheless, both of these goods are, for all intents and purposes, quite sweet.

They have Different Uses

Stevia is commonly used in beverages, sweets, sauces, soups, and salad dressings in liquid form. It’s also available in flavors like lemon-lime and root beer, and it can be used with carbonated water to make calorie-free effervescent drinks.

To sweeten tea, dried stevia leaves can be soaked for a few minutes. Alternatively, you can produce a syrup by boiling 1 teaspoon (4 grams) of dried leaves in 2 cups (480 mL) of water for 10–15 minutes and filtering it through cheesecloth.

Powdered stevia can be substituted for sugar in any recipe. It can be used in baking at temperatures up to 392°F (200°C), although only half the amount is recommended. Use 1/4 cup (50 grams) of stevia in a recipe that calls for 1/2 cup (100 grams) of sugar.

In the case of Splenda, research suggests that sucralose is harmful in baking and is best used to sweeten beverages.

Brief analysis of Splenda and Stevia

Which one is better Splenda or stevia?

While both stevia and Splenda are calorie-free, don’t raise blood sugar levels, and are usually considered safe when used in moderation, they do have some disadvantages.

When deciding between the two, keep in mind the ongoing concerns about Splenda’s heat stability and toxicity, as well as the fact that it should not be used in cooking or baking. As a result, when it comes to anything other than a hot beverage, stevia may be the better option.

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