Steviol glycosides from Stevia

Steviol glycosides are natural compounds extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, a plant native to South America that has been cultivated for centuries for its sweetening properties. Their sweetening power is estimated to be 200 to 300 times greater than that of sucrose, allowing them to be used in very small quantities. Unlike conventional sugars, steviol glycosides are not metabolised by the body: they pass through the digestive tract without being absorbed and are eliminated without providing any calories. They therefore contribute to reducing overall caloric intake when used as a substitute for sugars in the diet. They also do not trigger a glycaemic spike, making them a studied alternative in the context of controlled glycaemic index diets. In the context of food supplements, steviol glycosides are frequently used as sweeteners to improve the palatability of formulas without increasing their nutritional load. Their plant-based origin and generally good digestive tolerance make them a preferred excipient for formulations aimed at limiting added sugars.