Stevia Sweeteners
Sweeteners made with stevia have a long history of use around the world, including in Japan and Paraguay, and are permitted for use in many countries including the U.S., Canada, European Union, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, Russia, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Switzerland, Malaysia, Ghana, Turkey, Morocco, Nigeria and Israel.
Steviol glycosides, the components of the stevia plant of interest for their intense sweetness, are 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar (sucrose). Studies on the safety, metabolism and intake of purified steviol glycosides have demonstrated their safety for all populations, including children and pregnant and nursing women. Steviol glycosides are extracted from stevia leaves using a process similar to that used for other natural flavorings, such as vanilla, spearmint and cinnamon.
The scientific and industry names used to refer to stevia sweeteners (steviol glycosides) used in Coca-Cola Company beverages include rebiana, stevia leaf extract, Rebaudioside A or Reb A. The name that appears on food and beverage labels depends on local regulations and can vary around the world.
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- Low-Calorie Sweeteners and Weight Control. (Supplement) J Nutr. 2012; 142:1132S-1133S.
- Nonnutritive Sweeteners: Current Use and Health Perspectives. A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association (AHA/ADA). Circulation. 2012 Jul 24;126(4):509-19. Epub 2012 Jul 9.
- Use of Nutritive and Non-nutritive Sweeteners. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012;112:739-758.
- Development of rebiana, a natural, non-caloric sweetener. Prakash I, Dubois GE, Clos JF, Wilkens KL, Fosdick LE. Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Jul;46 Suppl 7:S75-82. Epub 2008 May 16.
- Does diet-beverage intake affect dietary consumption patterns? Results from the Choose Healthy Options Consciously Everyday (CHOICE) randomized clinical trial. Piernas C, et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013; Mar;97(3):604-11.
- Effects of stevia, aspartame, and sucrose on food intake, satiety, and postprandial glucose and insulin levels. Anton SD, Martin CK, Han H, Coulon S, Cefalu WT, Geiselman P, Williamson DA. Appetite. 2010;55(1):37-43.
- FDA'S food ingredient approval process - Safety assurance based on scientific assessment. Rulis AM, Levitt JA. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2009 Feb;53(1):20-31. Epub 2008 Nov 1.
- Overview: the history, technical function and safety of rebaudioside A, a naturally occurring steviol glycoside, for use in food and beverages.
Carakostas MC, Curry LL, Boileau AC, Brusick DJ.Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Jul;46 Suppl 7:S1-S10. Epub 2008 May 16.
- Photostability of rebaudioside A and stevioside in beverages. Clos JF, DuBois GE, Prakash I.J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Sep 24;56(18):8507-13. Epub 2008 Aug 22.
- Safety evaluation of certain food additives. Prepared by the 69th meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. WHO Food Additives Series, 2009; 60: 183-220.
- Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) a bio-sweetener: a review. Goyal SK, Samsher, Goyal RK.Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2010 Feb;61(1):1-10.
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