Perhaps you\’ve seen it lined on store shelves by now, as many newer beverages have emerged with a natural sweetener. As they\’re sweetened with Truvia sweetener, they claim to be entirely natural and free of any chemical additives.
What\’s most intriguing about it has to do with its natural and organic state, as the sweetener comes straight from a plant known as the stevia plant. This is a far cry from the artificial status of Splenda and all of the other sugar substitutes.
Due to the initial success of the sweetener and the fact that it\’s FDA approved, many products have begun to feature it as an alternative to sugar or other substitutes. There\’s a good chance that you may have tried one by now.
Despite the company\’s claims that everything is safe, there are still many people who cast doubt, as they have a cautious stance. They want to make sure that the product is free and clear of any and all side effects.
People have every reason to be skeptical about something like this. After all, so many of the additives that we believe to be healthy turn out to have unexpected side effects months and years down the line.
If you naturally worry about things like this, you may want to limit your intake of Truvia until more evidence surfaces that proves it may be safe for use. Still, the prospect of a natural sweetener that has no calories or chemicals is too hard to pass up.
The FDA has approved the use of Truvia, and many would take this as a sign that everything is safe. Then again, we don\’t always know what lies ahead when it comes to newer substances.
Studies have drawn no conclusive evidence of any side effects, though there are undocumented claims by some individuals who cite side effects across the board. Some include sleeplessness, irritability, constipation, and more.
Is this to be taken seriously, or can we write it off as some of the frivolous claims we see about nearly everything out there? While no one can say with certainty what the case may be, one thing is for sure. The FDA approval wins Truvia some major confidence points, and it looks like it\’s here to stay.
In addition to Truvia, this author additionally blogs about subjects like flat roof repair as well as a handful of other topics.
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Rebiana, which is commonly assumed to be the stevia extract in Truvia, is not an ingredient in the stevia plant, nor is it found in nature. It is produced by the action of chemicals and stringent alcohols and on various stevia glycosides. Rebiana is simply the trade name Cargill gave to their chemically derived product in 2008. The “No Questions” letter from the FDA states that Rebiana contains residues of ethanol and methanol.
Rebaudioside A (Reb A) is one of the 11 glycoside compounds naturally in the stevia leaves. It is produced by the action of sunlight on the leaves and is about 400 times sweeter than sugar.
Truvia contains 9/10 of 1% Rebiana and masking agent, and 99.1% erythritol, a sugar extracted from corn with alcohol (sugar alcohol). Cargill, whose product it is, has reported that 30% of their corn is genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Truvia is essentially corn sugar.
Actaually, I understand no stevia product has been “approved” by the FDA. Some stevia brands, including Truvia, PureVia, SweetLeaf, and others have received the “No Questions” letter from the FDA, which means that the FDA has no questions regarding the products’ safety at this time. However, they can change their mind whenever they want.
That being said, don’t think of the FDA as the end-all-be-all. Just because a product is “approved”, doesn’t mean it is safe. Just because it is not “approved”, doesn’t mean it is harmful. After all, aspartame is still on store shelves. Do some research on aspartame and the FDA–it may shock you. You’ll learn that the FDA is concerned more with money and politics than the public health.
I do use SweetLeaf Stevia and believe it is the most pure, and therefore, the most healthful stevia product on the market. I recommend it to any one who wants to eat healthier.