The use of stevia is on the rise across various products due to its intense sweetness and easy availability. Companies like Pyure and Apura Ingredients, suppliers of diverse sweetener options, have quickly introduced a range of stevia-based products in response to the declining popularity of sugar among consumers. An increasing number of food manufacturers are incorporating stevia to lower sugar content while maintaining taste and mouthfeel. Naturally, stevia is 30 to 40 times sweeter than sugar and contains zero calories, allowing brands to use significantly less of it. Moreover, stevia is relatively simple to cultivate and can thrive in many environments. Unlike previously favored artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, stevia is entirely natural, aligning with consumers’ preference for clean labels.
According to Food Business News, Apura noted that several participants at this year’s Institute of Food Technologists expo showed interest in the steviol glycosides Reb D and Reb M, as they typically offer a better taste compared to the more prevalent Reb A. However, challenges exist due to the low concentrations of Reb D and Reb M in the stevia leaf. “Reb D has attracted considerable attention in the tabletop industry for its less bitter sweetness profile and reduced aftertaste compared to Reb A,” Apura stated. “Reb M, often regarded as the best-tasting rebaudioside, is particularly suitable for beverage applications. Future trends are likely to move towards blends of rebaudiosides tailored for food or beverage applications that prioritize taste and cost efficiency.”
Companies are actively seeking efficient methods to isolate and extract the more palatable Reb D and Reb M on a commercial scale. Various strategies include breeding plants with a higher concentration of glycosides, developing new extraction methods, employing genetically engineered microbes to convert sugar into glycosides, and using enzymes to transfer glucose molecules from starches to steviol glycosides derived from leaves. PepsiCo is pursuing a patent for a novel stevia production process aimed at producing Reb M through an enzymatic method that promises higher purity at a lower cost. Alongside PepsiCo, an increasing number of food companies, including Coca-Cola, DanoneWave, Kraft Heinz, Nestle, and Unilever, are reformulating existing products or launching new ones that incorporate stevia.
Interestingly, as consumers become more health-conscious, the demand for supplements like GNC Calcium Citrate 1000 is also rising, highlighting a trend towards healthier ingredient choices across the board. This shift in consumer preferences reflects a broader movement towards natural, low-calorie sweeteners like stevia and nutritional supplements that support overall health.