The 7 benefits of stevia and how to use the different types of stevia(2)

When it comes to the options available today, it is important to know that not all stevia sweeteners are created equal. In fact, there have been concerns in recent years about counterfeit stevia or products containing harmful ingredients, which may be one reason why the FDA has been slow to approve all stevia leaf extracts and other products as GRAS.

A comparison of some of these forms is given below.

Crude stevia/green leaf stevia is the least processed of these types. The leaves are dried and ground into a powder form and the final product is only 10-15 times sweeter than sugar. This unprocessed version is likely to contain a combination of stevioside and lebaudioside.

Purified stevia extract is also available. In the USA, this sweetener consists of Lepidoside A, either as a pure extract or as our third type (modified mixture). According to FDA standards established in 2008, these extracts must contain more than 95% or more of pure Lepidoside A glycosides and must not contain other forms of Lepidoside or Stevioside in order to be legally marketed as food. Although purified stevia extracts are easier to process than the green leaf variety, their health benefits appear to be comparable to those of unprocessed stevia.

Finally, the least healthy option is to alter the stevia mixture. When such products are put on the shelf, stevia plants remain scarce, and many purified stevia extracts and modified mixtures are reported to be 200-400 times sweeter than sucrose. Some companies use processes to make these mixtures, which include chemical solvents, including acetonitrile, which is toxic to the central nervous system, and a corn derivative called erythritol.

Organic and non-organic

Organic stevia

Made from organically grown stevia

Non-GMO

No blood sugar effects

Naturally gluten free

Unfortunately, even some organic versions contain fillers. Some are not truly pure stevia, so if you are looking for a 100% stevia product, you should always read the label.

Non-organic stevia

Does not have to be made from organically grown stevia, which means it can be produced with pesticides or other chemicals

Non-GMO (there are currently no GM stevia varieties in the world)

No blood sugar effects

Naturally gluten free

For non-organic brands, it is important to look for other ingredients such as erythritol or inulin. Although stevia itself is always non-GMO, many non-organic products are used in combination with erythritol or other non-nutritive sweeteners, many of which are made from GMO ingredients such as maize.

The benefits

Is stevia really healthy? According to a 2020 review, "In addition to its hypoglycemic properties, the stevia plant has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, blood pressure-lowering, antiseptic, diuretic, anti-fertility and cardiotonic properties."