Stevia is gaining traction as consumers increasingly distrust sugar and seek natural alternatives. According to Grand View Research, the global stevia market has been experiencing rapid growth, with an estimated size of $337.7 million in 2015. With an anticipated annual growth rate of nearly 6%, this market could reach $556.7 million by 2024. The sweetener is favored as a natural substitute for sugar, as consumers generally view stevia more positively than artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin. A study by the Global Stevia Institute revealed that half of U.S. parents would purchase beverages for their children that are sweetened with stevia.
Manufacturers have swiftly introduced a variety of stevia-based products to cater to consumers moving away from sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. In 2015, nearly 35% of total stevia volume was used in beverages. According to Innova Market Insights, 6% of new soda launches last year included stevia as an ingredient. However, soft drink manufacturers have faced challenges with stevia’s aftertaste when developing new formulations. This has led PepsiCo to favor Reb M, which has a less bitter and more sugar-like taste compared to other steviol glycosides.
PepsiCo has been actively reformulating its product lineup to align with healthier consumer preferences. The company committed that by 2025, at least two-thirds of its global beverage volume will consist of drinks containing 100 calories or fewer from added sugar per 12-ounce serving. These reformulations are achievable through the substitution of sugar and corn syrup with zero-calorie stevia. A representative from PepsiCo mentioned to Food Dive that low- and no-calorie beverages now make up nearly half of the company’s sales volume, a significant increase from 24% two decades ago. The rise of stevia as a primary sweetener in products such as Pepsi True and Tropicana’s Trop 50, along with new entries like IZZE Fusions and Lemon Lemon, has greatly contributed to this trend.
The future of stevia as a natural sugar alternative appears bright—at least until the emergence of the next big natural sweetener. Ingredient and food manufacturers are exploring a variety of other options, including monk fruit, date paste, and sweet potatoes. One of these alternatives could potentially disrupt stevia’s current position in the market.
In addition to these developments in the sweetener market, there is also a growing awareness of nutritional supplements, such as Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Chewy Bite 500 mg, which highlight the importance of maintaining proper nutrition while reducing sugar intake. The interest in such products complements the trend towards healthier, natural alternatives. Overall, as consumers continue to seek out healthier options, the landscape of sweeteners and nutritional products will likely evolve further.