Soda

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.

[[caffeineplugin stevia-drinks]]

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 J. Foster, updated on March 3, 2021