Truvia is a sweetener developed by Cargill, Inc. and the Coca-Cola Company. It is made from a blend of erythritol, rebaudioside A (a sweet compound isolated from the stevia plant) and natural flavours.
While Truvia is advertised as a stevia-based sweetener, it barely contains any components of the stevia plant and none of its health benefits. Stevia leaves contain two sweet compounds, stevioside and rebaudioside A, the former of which is linked to health benefits like reduced blood sugar and blood pressure levels. However, Truvia contains only tiny amounts of purified rebaudioside A, which is not linked to any health benefits.
The primary ingredient in Truvia is erythritol, a sugar alcohol found in some natural foods like fruits. Erythritol has a unique chemical structure that makes it resistant to digestion. It has almost no calories and no effect on blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides or other health markers.
However, Truvia has been criticised for its use of the term natural flavours in its list of ingredients. The term natural flavours is loosely regulated by the FDA and the specific ingredients in Truvia's natural flavours are not disclosed.
In conclusion, while Truvia is a popular sweetener, it is not a natural sweetener and the marketing behind it is questionable.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Sweetener type | Sugar alcohol and stevia compound |
Main ingredients | Erythritol, Rebaudioside A, Natural Flavors |
Calories | 0.24 calories per gram |
Effect on blood sugar | No effect on blood sugar or insulin levels |
Side effects | May cause digestive problems |
What You'll Learn
Truvia is a blend of erythritol, rebaudioside A and natural flavours
Truvia is a sweetener that was introduced in 2008 and is now one of the most popular sweeteners in the US. It is a blend of erythritol, rebaudioside A, and natural flavours.
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol found in some natural foods, such as fruits, or extracted and refined for use as a sweetener. It has a unique chemical structure that makes it resistant to digestion, so it passes through the body unchanged and is then eliminated via urine. This means it provides almost no calories and has none of the harmful metabolic effects of excess sugar. Erythritol is the main ingredient in Truvia and is considered safe.
Rebaudioside A is a sweet compound isolated from the stevia plant. It is one of two sweet compounds found in stevia leaves, the other being stevioside, which is linked to health benefits such as reduced blood sugar and blood pressure levels. However, Truvia contains only tiny amounts of purified rebaudioside A and none of the health benefits associated with stevia. This has led to criticism of the marketing of Truvia as a stevia-based sweetener.
The 'natural flavours' in Truvia are not disclosed by the manufacturer, but it is likely that they are an assortment of chemicals that are not naturally derived.
Overall, Truvia is an almost calorie-free sweetener that does not affect blood sugar or insulin levels and has few, if any, side effects for most people. It is arguably healthier than sugar and can be a good alternative for those who are overweight or have diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
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Erythritol is a sugar alcohol found in some fruits and vegetables
Erythritol is produced commercially through the fermentation of glucose from corn or wheat starch. It can also be found naturally in fruits such as grapes, peaches, pears, and watermelon, as well as in mushrooms and fermented foods like wine, beer, and cheese.
While erythritol is generally considered safe, some people may experience digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea when consuming large amounts. Additionally, recent studies have linked erythritol to an increased risk of blood clots and heart problems. However, these findings are not conclusive, and further research is needed to fully understand the potential health risks associated with erythritol.
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Rebaudioside A is a sweet compound isolated from the stevia plant
Rebaudioside A (Reb A) is a sweet compound isolated from the leaves of the stevia plant, Stevia rebaudiana. It is a steviol glycoside and is 240 times sweeter than sugar. It is the sweetest and most stable steviol glycoside, and is less bitter than stevioside. Stevia leaves contain 9.1% stevioside and 3.8% rebaudioside A.
Rebaudioside A is a purified glycoside extract of stevia rebaudiana, a plant native to South America that has been used there as a sweetener for several hundred years. It is considered a food supplement, free of calories, with sweetening power about 300 times higher than sucrose (table sugar). It is not metabolised by the body and remains stable at both low and high temperatures.
The glycoside contains only glucose (to the exclusion of other commonly found monosaccharides) as its monosaccharide moieties. It contains four glucose molecules in total, with the central glucose of the triplet connected to the main steviol structure at its hydroxyl group, and the remaining glucose at its carboxyl group forming an ester bond.
The acceptable daily intake of steviol glycosides for humans is 4 mg/kg of body weight per day. However, some human studies using prolonged intake of up to 1.5 g daily show no adverse effects.
Truvia is a granulated sugar substitute. Some Truvia products are great for low-carb dieters, but some aren't. The Truvia Calorie-Free Sweetener is made from stevia leaf extract and erythritol and is perfect for low-carb diets. It comes in sachets, in a spoonable plastic pack, and in a pouch. It doesn't contain any digestible carbs, and its net carb count is zero.
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Truvia is not stevia
Truvia is a commercial product created by the Coca-Cola Company and the food and chemical company Cargill. It is a sweetener developed to be used in cooked or baked products and as a tabletop sweetener. It is marketed as a natural, stevia-based sweetener that is good for blood sugar control.
However, Truvia is not the same as stevia. While stevia is a natural sweetener made from the stevia leaf, Truvia barely contains any components of the stevia plant and none of its health benefits. Stevia leaves contain two sweet compounds: stevioside and rebaudioside A. Stevioside is linked to health benefits like reduced blood sugar and blood pressure levels. However, Truvia does not contain stevioside, only tiny amounts of purified rebaudioside A, which is not linked to any health benefits.
The main ingredient in Truvia is erythritol, a sugar alcohol found in some natural foods like fruits. It is also extracted and refined for use as a sweetener. Erythritol is resistant to digestion and provides almost no calories. It is considered safe and is well tolerated by most people.
In addition to erythritol and rebaudioside A, Truvia also contains "natural flavors", the specifics of which are not disclosed by the manufacturer. These "natural flavors" are likely an assortment of chemicals that are not naturally derived.
While Truvia is a highly popular sugar substitute, it is important to understand that it is not the same as stevia and does not provide the same health benefits.
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Truvia is highly processed
Truvia is a highly-processed sweetener that is often confused with stevia. While Truvia is advertised as a stevia-based sweetener, it is not the same thing. Truvia is a blend of three ingredients: erythritol, rebaudioside A, and natural flavours. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is the primary ingredient in Truvia. It is manufactured by processing corn into a food-grade starch and then fermenting it with yeast. This process creates erythritol crystals, which are then used in Truvia.
The marketing of Truvia as a stevia-based sweetener is misleading. Stevia leaves contain two sweet compounds: stevioside and rebaudioside A. Stevioside is linked to health benefits such as reduced blood sugar and blood pressure levels. However, Truvia does not contain stevioside. Instead, it contains tiny amounts of purified rebaudioside A, which is not linked to any health benefits.
The "natural flavours" listed as Truvia's final ingredient are also a cause for concern. Neither the label nor the manufacturer specifies what these flavours are. Cargill, the company that produces Truvia, has been sued for deceptive marketing and the use of the word "natural". It is likely that these flavours are not naturally derived and are instead an assortment of chemicals.
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Frequently asked questions
Truvia is a sweetener made from erythritol, rebaudioside A, and natural flavours. While it is often confused with stevia, a natural sweetener made from the stevia leaf, it is not the same thing. Truvia contains only a tiny amount of stevia and has a different composition. It is also highly processed, unlike stevia. Truvia is considered keto-friendly as it has zero calories and does not affect blood sugar or insulin levels. However, some people may experience digestive issues when consuming Truvia due to the erythritol content.
Some people may experience digestive issues when consuming Truvia, such as bloating, cramping, and diarrhoea. This is due to the erythritol content, which is a sugar alcohol that can be difficult for the body to digest. Additionally, there are concerns about the "natural flavours" in Truvia, as these are not disclosed by the manufacturer and may be chemically derived.
Truvia is often marketed as a healthier alternative to sugar, especially for people with diabetes or metabolic syndrome. It has zero calories and does not affect blood sugar or insulin levels, making it a better option for blood sugar control. However, sugar in moderation is not necessarily harmful and provides a quick source of energy. Truvia, on the other hand, is highly processed and may have unknown side effects due to its "natural flavours".