The Truth About Stevia: A Nutritionist Breaks It Down

Is stevia too sweet to be true? This sugar substitute has been making waves as a zero-calorie option, so we sat down with expert nutritionist Clarissa Lenherr to answer some top questions about stevia, its benefits and why it might be the swap you need. 

 Q: Is stevia an artificial sweetener?

"Stevia is not actually an artificial sweetener!" laughs Clarissa. It's a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. While it does undergo processing to extract the sweet compounds, it remains distinctly different from artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose, which are synthetically produced.

One of the main benefits of stevia is that it does not cause spikes in blood sugar, making it a popular choice for people managing their blood sugar levels. The sweetness of stevia comes from steviol glycosides, which are 250 to 300 times sweeter than sugar, meaning that only a small amount is needed to achieve the desired sweetness.

 Q: Is stevia safe for diabetics?

"Stevia is generally considered safe for diabetics and is a recommended sugar substitute," according to Clarissa. One of its main benefits is that it does not raise blood sugar levels, making it suitable for people managing diabetes. Research suggests that stevia is safe at doses of 4mg/kg of body weight per day. 

Q: Is stevia what’s used in diet drinks?

"Traditional diet drinks typically use artificial sweeteners like aspartame," explains Clarissa although some do use stevia.

Sugar alcohols like erythritol, xylitol, and sorbitol are low-calorie sweeteners commonly found in sugar-free or low sugar products. While they occur naturally in some fruits and vegetables, those used in food are usually manufactured. Sugar alcohols do not fully absorb in the digestive tract, helping to stabilise blood sugar levels, but they can cause bloating, gas, and laxative effects when consumed in significant amounts.

Natural sweeteners like stevia don’t have the same digestive issues. Steviol glycosides in stevia pass through the digestive system mostly unchanged and do not ferment, making them gentler for sensitive individuals.

Sipgood: Your Sugar-Free Drink Choice 

After diving into the details of stevia, it’s clear this natural sweetener has some serious perks. That’s why Sipgood Natural Infusion Drops use a small amount of stevia so you can enjoy deliciously flavoured water without the added sugar or calories, making every sip as sweet as it is refreshing.