Soft Drinks

Stevia Energy Drinks and Soft Drinks

Stevia leaves and powder

Stevia is a sweetener used as a substitute for sugar. It is extracted from the leaves of the plant Stevia rebaudiana and can be purchased as a powder or liquid form.

Since 2008 Stevia has been finding its way into drinks as replacement for other sweeteners, and to help lower sugar levels. In the USA, the extract has a FDA status of GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe).

However the market remains niche, presumably due to competition from zero-calorie drinks. Manufacturers have struggled to make good tasting drink with stevia alone, so most drinks were mixed with sugar.

This list shows current energy drinks and sodas using stevia as part of the formulation.

Name fl oz Caffeine (mg) Calories
ALL IN Energy Drink127525
Arbonne Energy Fizz Stck85515
AXIO Energy Drink Mix121000
Bai Antioxidant Infusion185510
Bai Boost11.4711010
Boost Nutritional Drink85240
Carabao Energy Drink (UK)11.1610663
Celsius Stevia1220015
Crave Energy Drink (UK)8.438010
EBOOST Energy Drink Mix81105
EBOOST Super Fuel1211020
EBOOST Workout Crusher Mix817540
Gatorade Bolt 24 Energize16.97540
Green Cola12370
Kill Cliff Energy X Recover122520
Kill Cliff Ignite1215025
LYFT Energy Mix81254
Mamma Chia Energy1090110
Marquis Energy Drink121000
Nuun Sport164015
OCA Energy Drink1212060
Oikos Pro Fuel10100130
Pure Boost Energy Drink Mix1610025
Rockstar Halo Infinite16240250
Rogue Energy Drink Mix161755
Rowdy Energy Drink161605
SoBe Energy Citrus2081250
Starbucks Refreshers Canned125090
Tru Energy Wakeup1210010
True Lemon Energy Mix161200
Virtue Clean Energy Beverage8.46808
Zevia Cola12450
Zevia Energy Drink121200
Zoa Energy Drink16160100
 

Research has shown that Stevia (or specifically Steviol Glycosides) may help with reducing overall daily energy intake).

The future of the market remains uncertain, with Coca-Cola discontinuing their stevia-sweetened Coke Life. This is most likely due to competition with Diet Coke and Coca-cola Zero. Pepsi’s stevia beverage Pepsi True was also phased out from 2018 onwards.

References

  • Ahmad, J., Khan, I., Blundell, R., Azzopardi, J., & Mahomoodally, M. F. (2020). Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni.: An updated review of its health benefits, industrial applications and safety. Trends in Food Science & Technology.
  • Samuel, P., Ayoob, K. T., Magnuson, B. A., Wölwer-Rieck, U., Jeppesen, P. B., Rogers, P. J., ... & Mathews, R. (2018). Stevia leaf to stevia sweetener: exploring its science, benefits, and future potential. The Journal of nutrition, 148(7), 1186S-1205S.

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Written by James Foster, last updated on March 3, 2021