Even the most informed buyer will find this process tough due to slick marketing strategies and new chemicals. So, let’s clear up the misunderstanding. We’ll compare and contrast two of the most popular sweeteners on the market, Truvia and Stevia, to see which is better for your health.
Truvia
The Coca-Cola Firm and Cargill, a food and chemical company, developed Truvia as a commercial product. Truvia is a stevia-based sweetener that has been refined. It’s a tabletop sweetener that you may use to sweeten coffee, as well as a sweetener for cooked or baked goods.
Because of its origins in the stevia plant, Truvia is sold as a natural product, however it has been refined to remove it from its roots. Erythritol and natural flavors are among the added components.
Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener made from the leaves of the South American Stevia plant. Stevia leaves have been used as a sweetener for thousands of years by populations in Latin America and Asia due to its sweetness and therapeutic characteristics. Stevia leaf extract can be up to 200 times sweeter than refined sugar, according to studies. The sweet flavor comes from the synergistic impact of many chemicals known as stevioside and rebaudioside.
Brief analysis of Truvia and Stevia
| Properties | Truvia | Stevia |
| Type of sweetener | Because of its origins in the stevia plant, Truvia is marketed as a natural product, although various refinements have separated it from its roots. | Natural |
| Made from | Refined stevia | Stevia plant |
| Calories | Zero calorie | Zero calorie |
| Sweetness level | Contains the same amount of sugar as two teaspoons | Stevia has 200 – 300 times the sweetness of sugar |
| Safety profile | Stevia has been approved by the FDA and widely regarded as safe, calorie-free alternative to sugar | Stevia has also been approved by the FDA and widely regarded as safe, calorie-free alternative to sugar |
| Chemicals | It could have one or more compounds in it | There are no chemicals in it |
| Anti-diabetic | Yes | Yes |
| Dental safety | Yes | Yes |
| Stevioside | No | Yes |
| Nutrients | Stevia is the main ingredient, however it also contains erythritol and natural flavors. | It contains rebaudioside, stevioside, and vital elements such as iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, and others. |
| Uses | Used in beverages, sweets, sauces, soups, tea, yogurt, cookies, coffee, and another beverage. Also, stevia can be used in any recipe. | Like Truvia, Stevia can be added to tea, coffee, cereal, or fruit and other dishes. Baking can also be done with stevia products. |
Final Words
Truvia is unlikely to hurt you, it’s difficult to rationalize ingesting it without understanding more about how it’s made. It’s “100% natural,” according to the advertisement.
Furthermore, the component in the stevia plant that has been linked to health benefits, stevioside, is absent from Truvia.
Stevia is more natural than Truvia. Instead, choose for high-quality green leaf stevia extract so you know exactly what you’re getting. In moderation, it won’t harm you. However, you shouldn’t expect any significant health benefits. Most studies associating stevia to health benefits employ high doses of stevioside, which is higher than a reasonable intake of the sweetener.
FAQS
Which is better for a diabetic, stevia or Truvia?
Both stevia and Truvia can be suitable sweetener options for diabetics, as they have minimal impact on blood sugar levels. Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant, while Truvia is a branded sweetener that contains a blend of stevia leaf extract and erythritol. The choice between stevia and Truvia depends on individual taste preferences and any potential sensitivity to erythritol.
Is Truvia OK for diabetics?
Yes, Truvia is generally considered safe for diabetics when used in moderation. Truvia contains erythritol, a sugar alcohol that has a minimal impact on blood sugar levels, and stevia leaf extract, which does not raise blood sugar.
Is Truvia real stevia?
Yes, Truvia contains real stevia leaf extract as one of its components. However, it also contains erythritol and natural flavors to balance the sweetness and provide bulk.
Does stevia raise blood sugar?
No, stevia does not raise blood sugar levels. It is a non-caloric sweetener and does not contain carbohydrates that can impact blood sugar.
How safe is Truvia?
Truvia is considered safe when consumed within the acceptable daily intake levels established by regulatory authorities. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other global regulatory bodies have approved Truvia as a safe sweetener for consumption.