Stevia is a plant-based sweetener that has been used as a sugar replacement to sweeten beverages and food preparations for more than 200 years. Native to Paraguay and Brazil in South America, this plant is now cultivated globally in countries including Japan, China, Thailand, and Russia.
The sweet compounds or steviol glycosides obtained from the leaves of the Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni are heat-stable, have zero calories, and 200 times sweeter than sucrose.
Scientific research shows that stevia leaf extracts in sweeteners may be beneficial in reducing sugar and calorie consumption that can aid in diabetes, weight management, and help in maintaining healthy lifestyles (1).
Stevia, considered a safe alternative to sugar, can support keto diets effectively. It is suitable for diabetics, obese people, the elderly, and fitness enthusiasts who want to reduce calories for health reasons but still are addicted to sweetness in their diet (2).
With zero calories, stevia is commonly found as a sugar-free ingredient in many food products and supplements. Many stevia products are suitable for use in hot/cold beverages, cooking, and baking.
Stevia supplements available in the form of powders, liquids, drops, and tablets can be bought online without a prescription. Listed here are our top 6 choices of stevia supplements listed for you. Read through them to select the most suitable supplement for your needs.
Our Top Picks
1. Best Organic Stevia Powder: Pyure Organic Stevia
2. Best Stevia Liquid: Now Foods Better Stevia
3. Best Stevia Drops: SweetLeaf Water Drops
4. Best Stevia With Monk Fruit: Whole Earth Stevia and Monk Fruit Blend
5. Best Granulated Stevia for Baking: Splenda Naturals Stevia
6. Best Stevia Brown Sugar Blend: Truvia Brown Sugar Blend
Now let’s look at each of these stevia supplements in detail to find out why they are considered the best in their categories.
1. Best Organic Stevia Powder – Pyure Organic Stevia
Organic stevia powder is an effective form of sweetening beverages and foods. Not only does it mix easily, but it is also healthier as it is made from organically grown high-quality stevia extracts. A small quantity can provide adequate sweetness without the addition of extra calories.
About Pyure Organic Stevia
Pyure Organic Stevia is a zero-calorie supplement with the goodness of natural stevia that is 300 times sweeter than sugar. This supplement can replace sugar as a healthy alternative and support low-calorie consumption.
Extracted from organically grown stevia, a steeping process ensures only the sweet stevia extracts from leaves in powdered form (reb A) are used in this product to ensure the highest sweetness possible.
Pyure procures its stevia from China from crops that are USDA Organic Certified and verified as non-GMO. It is then manufactured and packaged in its US facilities that are Level 3 Safe Quality Food (SQF) certified to promise purity and safety to consumers.
What it Contains:
Each serving of 1 scoop (25 mg) has:
- Calories – 0
- Total Fat – 0 g
- Sodium – 0 mg
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Pyure Organic Stevia is available as 0.9 oz or 25 g powder that can provide approximately 1000 servings. The container is packed along with a micro-scoop for correct measurement and ease of use.
Use of Pyure stevia is recommended for adding into beverages such as coffee, iced teas, smoothies, etc. for daily consumption. It can also be added to cooked or baked dishes for sweetness without bitterness.
Pyure makes its Organic Stevia from using a single natural ingredient. It has no chemicals or additives in its making. The product is plant-based and hence ideal for use by vegans and vegetarians.
The Pros:
- Pure stevia leaf extract powder that 300X sweeter than sugar
- Can be used in beverages for daily consumption
- USDA organic and non-GMO verified
- Manufactured in Level 3 SQF certified facilities in the USA
Summary: Pyure Organic Stevia is a useful supplement containing pure stevia extracts. It is certified USDA organic, contains no calories, and can be added to beverages for daily use.
2. Best Stevia Liquid – Now Foods Better Stevia
Stevia concentrated in liquid form can make a supplement portable and easy to use. It effectively eliminates the need for carrying around big powder containers or loads of packets. It is also ideal for faster dissolvability and lump-free use in beverages or foods.
About Now Foods Better Stevia
Now Foods Better Stevia is a fast-dissolving supplement of stevia that can be used to sweeten foods without the worry of additional calories. A viable option for powder forms, this supplement is compact and convenient to use at your home, office, or even during travel.
Made from organic stevia, the extracts are highly concentrated and just a few drops are enough to sweeten any beverage or dish. The natural plant-based sweetener is a safe alternative to sugar and ideal for diabetics and calorie-conscious people.
Now Foods, a reputed brand for many dietary supplements, is a family-owned company in the USA. It obtains its stevia from China’s organically grown farms. It makes its Better Stevia in a GMP-certified facility with verified non-GMO ingredients that make it safe.
What it Contains:
Each serving of 4 drops (0.13 ml) provides:
- Calories – 0
- Total Fat – 0 g
- Sodium – 0 mg
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Sugars incl added sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
The product contains only certified organic stevia leaf extracts, deionized water, and 11% organic alcohol from cane. The liquid is available as a bottle of 8 fl. oz. (237 ml) and can last for a whopping 1823 servings.
One can use 1-4 drops as desired into foods or beverages for consumption. The liquid form leaves no room for lumps and mixes easily into cereals, porridges, drinks, and sweet dishes.
Now Foods Better Stevia is made of pure organic stevia extracts and does not contain any sugar, salt, or preservatives. The product is free from gluten and other allergens. It is certified Kosher and suitable for vegans too.
The Pros:
- Concentrated extracts of organic stevia in liquid form
- 1 bottle provides 1800+ servings
- No added sugars and preservatives
- Free from gluten and other allergens
Summary: Now Foods Better Stevia is a concentrated liquid extract of organic stevia. Free from preservatives and allergens, this supplement is easy to carry around and mixes smoothly into foods and beverages.
3. Best Stevia Drops – SweetLeaf Water Drops
Stevia water drops are a good option to use when you get cravings for sugary, high-calorie fizzy drinks. Made with healthier stevia extracts, these drops can sweeten your water in natural flavors to increase daily hydration.
About SweetLeaf Water Drops
SweetLeaf Water Drops is a unique sweetener that you can add to your water intake to keep yourself hydrated with deliciously sweet flavors. The stevia leaf extracts are healthy, have zero calories, and are an effective means for increasing water consumption.
SweetLeaf is an award-winning brand and has rolled out Water Drops as a means of replacing plain water with taste and flavor that would induce an individual to drink more of it and stay hydrated.
SweetLeaf makes its stevia Water Drops in US manufacturing facilities. SweetLeaf also claims to be the first brand to get FDA GRAS recognition for its stevia sweetener. The ingredients used are of premium quality and non-GMO project verified.
What it Contains:
Each serving of 1 ml (1 squeeze) consists of:
- Calories – 0
- Total Fat – 0 g
- Saturated Fat – 0 g
- Trans Fat – 0 g
- Sodium – 0 mg
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Water Drops contain natural stevia and monk fruit extracts and are available in six tasty fruity flavors. The bottles contain 1.62 fl oz or 48 ml each and are designed to provide 48 servings. The flavors are natural and calorie-free.
The manufacturer recommends using one squeeze containing 1 ml into 8 oz of water for consumption. The addition of Water Drops makes plain water exciting and refreshing to drink.
SweetLeaf Water Drops are a great alternative to sugary drinks that are harmful to the body. Free from gluten, GMOs, and artificial ingredients, this supplement enhances drinking water to a different level for a relishable experience.
The Pros:
- Naturally-flavored stevia drops to enhance the drinking water taste
- 6 fruity flavors
- Made by award-winning stevia sweetener brand
- No artificial flavors or gluten
Summary: SweetLeaf Water Drops is a delicious dietary supplement that can lift your drinking water experience to a whole new level. Made with stevia extracts in tasty flavors, it helps you stay hydrated throughout the day.
4. Best Stevia With Monk Fruit – Whole Earth Stevia and Monk Fruit Blend
Monk Fruit, like stevia, is another well-known plant-based natural sweetener. The 2 natural sweeteners have zero calories and are effective means of sweetening food and beverages without increasing carb consumption.
About Whole Earth Stevia and Monk Fruit Blend
Whole Earth Stevia and Monk Fruit Blend is a premium dietary supplement with a combination of 2 natural sweeteners that are approved by the FDA as healthy and safe for consumption.
With zero calories, stevia and monk fruit enhance the taste of your beverages or food without adding unhealthy carbs in the process. The 2 plant-based sweeteners are a suitable alternative to sugar or other artificial sweeteners to maintain good blood sugar levels.
Whole Earth Sweetener Co. is one of the flagship brands of Merisant Company and is headquartered in the USA. The ingredients used in its Stevia and Monk Fruit Blend are naturally pure and verified non-GMO for utmost safety.
What it Contains:
Each serving of ½ tsp (2 g) holds:
- Calories – 0
- Total Fat – 0 g
- Sodium – 0 mg
- Total Carbohydrates – 2 g
- Erythritol 2 g
- Protein – 0 g
Apart from stevia extracts and monk fruit extracts, the product contains 2 g of erythritol. It is a sugar alcohol derived from non-GMO corn that also has zero calories and high digestibility.
The supplement is available as a jar of 9.8 oz or 280 g that is designed to provide about 140 servings. The easy flip-top lid is convenient to use a spoon or to pour out the contents. Half a teaspoon is sufficient to sweeten beverages, cocktails, cereals, etc.
Whole Earth Stevia and Monk Fruit Blend is made of natural ingredients and contains no preservatives or gluten. The sweetener is keto-friendly, paleo-friendly, and highly suitable for safe consumption for diabetics.
The Pros:
- Combination of quality stevia and monk fruit extracts
- Non-GMO verified ingredients
- No preservatives or gluten
- Keto-friendly, Paleo-friendly
Summary: Whole Earth Stevia and Monk Fruit Blend is a quality supplement with natural stevia and monk fruit extracts. Suitable for keto and paleo diets, it has no calories and is hence safe for use by diabetics.
5. Best Granulated Stevia for Baking – Splenda Naturals Stevia
Stevia is commonly used as a healthy alternative for sugar to sweeten beverages and foods. The granulated form is now popular as it resembles sugar and can be used for baking without adding any calories.
Maltodextrin derived from tapioca is a starch that can be added to stevia products. It is considered GRAS (generally recognized as safe) and studies too show that tapioca maltodextrin has slow digestibility and does not spike post-prandial sugar levels immensely (3).
About Splenda Naturals Stevia
Splenda Naturals Stevia is a popular dietary supplement of stevia. Its granular form makes it an ideal replacement for sugar while baking to get the same sweetness to enjoy your baked goods.
The granular Reb D stevia extracts have no bitter aftertaste and are convenient to bake your favorite goodies without the fear of adding calories. The maltodextrin also adds consistency without increasing calorie consumption.
Splenda, a reputed sweetener brand, is based in the USA. It procures its non-GMO verified ingredients from US-grown crops and manufactures them in its facilities in Indianapolis.
What it Contains:
Each serving of 2 tsp (1 g) offers:
- Calories – 0
- Total Fat – 0 g
- Sodium – 0 mg
- Total Carbohydrate – <1 g
- Total sugar including added sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Splenda Naturals Stevia can be purchased as a convenient packet pouch of 7.8 oz (220 g) that can roll out 220 servings. The packs are convenient and resealable to help keep the content fresh and stable.
Best for baking, this granular supplement can be used as the same measure of sugar for your favorite recipes. It is also ideal for use in sauces, beverages, soups, etc as it dissolves just as easily as powdered or liquid forms.
Splenda Naturals contains only healthy non-GMO ingredients and is free from any kind of artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Recommended by doctors, this sweetener can help fulfill your desire for baked goods in a healthier manner.
The Pros:
- Healthy stevia extracts in granular form
- Ideal for baking and use in beverages or sauces
- Resealable pouch to maintain freshness and easy storage
- No artificial ingredients
Summary: Splenda Naturals Stevia is a natural sweetener that is ideal for baking purposes. Available in a resealable pouch and convenient granular form, it can replace sugar to make baked goodies without added calories for good health.
6. Best Stevia Brown Sugar Blend – Truvia Brown Sugar Blend
Stevia is an amazing replacement for white sugar as it provides more sweetness without increasing calories. Brown sugar has a different taste and has fewer calories than sugar but still high in carbs. Individuals who are used to brown sugar may find it difficult to give up on that taste or get used to a sweetener completely.
Stevia with brown sugar is a viable option for people who are conscious of calories but do not want to forego the accustomed brown sugar taste.
About Truvia Brown Sugar Blend
Truvia Brown Sugar Blend is a natural dietary supplement with stevia extracts and brown sugar. The efficient combo helps in lower consumption of calories plus not having to do away with the taste of brown sugar.
The blend of brown sugar, stevia, and erythritol is designed to provide double the sweetness but fewer calories when compared to using plain brown sugar. It is suitable for mild diabetics, weight-conscious people, and individuals who love using brown sugar.
Truvia is based in the USA and makes its Brown Sugar Blend in NSF-certified facilities using pure, non-GMO ingredients that are safe for consumption. The water extraction process of stevia leaves ensures only sweetness in the supplement without the bitter aftertaste.
What it Contains:
Each serving of gives:
- Calories – 0
- Total Fat – 0 g
- Sodium – 0 mg
- Total Carbohydrates – 4 g
- Total sugar including added sugars – 2 g
- Erythritol 2 g
- Protein – 0 g
Truvia Brown Sugar Blend contains erythritol, sugar, molasses, and stevia leaf extract for extraordinary sweetness and flavor. The erythritol use is derived from a natural yeast organism and not corn. The molasses adds a rich flavor and moisture to cookies or cake preparations.
You can purchase this supplement as 1. 12 pounds or 510 g packs that can provide up to 127 servings. The measurement is to use ½ cup of this blend in place of 1 full cup of brown sugar for your recipes to get the right sweetness.
Truvia Brown Sugar Blend is made of natural ingredients and can be used in iced teas, beverages, sauces, cookies, oatmeal, etc., for extra flavor and taste. The product is free of gluten and certified Kosher Parve. It is also well-suited for vegan and vegetarian consumption.
The Pros:
- Tasty bend of stevia extracts and brown sugar
- Contains natural erythritol made from yeast
- 75% fewer calories when compared to plain brown sugar
- Suitable for beverages and baking preparations
Summary: Truvia Brown Sugar Blend is a useful blend of stevia and brown sugar. Gluten-free, the stevia adds the extra sweetness to halve the use of brown sugar resulting in lower carbs but great taste in all your preparations.
Dosage for Stevia Supplements
Stevia supplements vary in form and so does the content. High-quality extracts of stevia rebaudiana are used in supplements.
Pure stevia extracts are considered GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the FDA in the USA.
The ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) for steviol equivalents has been established at 4 mg/kg of body weight per day. This is equivalent to 12 mg of high-purity stevia extracts. Hence, a 70 kg individual can safely consume up to 840 mg of stevia per day without any health risk (4).
Many studies affirm that this ADI limit of 4 mg/kg of body weight for stevia consumption is considered safe and is not hazardous to human health.
Studies for safety in pregnant women and children are not elaborate. Moderate consumption of stevia during pregnancy is deemed acceptable to lower white sugar consumption. Children’s consumption of stevia should be monitored as they can reach the ADI limits quickly.
Dosage for stevia and suitability is best assessed by a practitioner. Hence individuals with medical conditions, pregnant or lactating women, and children can consult a doctor before using stevia supplements.
Summary: High-quality stevia extracts are considered safe when taken within the ADI limit of 4 mg/ kg of body weight for healthy individuals. Use of stevia by pregnant women or children is advised under the guidance of a practitioner.
Risks and Side Effects of Stevia Supplements
Stevia supplements are generally considered safe and beneficial to regulate glucose and weight management. But one should read the label to check for ingredients other than stevia that might be harmful to health or bring down the effect of using stevia.
Look out for ingredients such as dextrose or maltodextrin that can be added to supplements along with stevia.
While dextrose is a fast-digesting glucose made from corn, maltodextrin is a starch used as an additive to enhance flavor or thickness in food products. Both dextrose and maltodextrin are carbohydrates and can spike sugar levels quickly which may be bad for highly diabetic people.
Stevia can leave a naturally slightly bitter aftertaste that can be a complete downside for some people.
Stevia may interact with certain medications including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and COX-2 inhibitors. Since it can also lower blood sugar levels and act as a diuretic, individuals with medical conditions should consult a practitioner for suitability before using stevia supplements (5).
Summary: Stevia is considered safe for use in most people. Care taken to avoid added carbs in stevia products and consulting a practitioner for drug interactions and suitability can help avoid risks and side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can stevia help with weight loss?
People looking for weight loss focus on consuming fewer calories to achieve weight loss. Stevia is a natural sweetener with zero calories and may help in reducing calorie consumption when used in moderation. But one should remember that it is not a magical ingredient that can induce weight loss. Choosing stevia supplements without other additional carbs in conjunction with a sensible diet and fitness routine can aid in better weight loss.
Which is the best form of stevia?
High-quality, pure stevia extracts are considered safe for humans by the FDA. Crude extracts are not recognized as completely safe or advised for supplement use.
Supplements containing pure stevia extracts are available in powder, liquid, granular, and tablet forms. The use of a stevia form is a personal choice and can depend on the need too. While liquids or tablets are portable and easy to mix into beverages, granular or powder forms are suitable for cooking or baking where measurements are crucial to get a dish right.
Can stevia be combined with other ingredients or sweeteners?
Stevia sweeteners can contain pure stevia extracts or be combined with other ingredients. Supplements can contain ingredients such as erythritol or maltodextrin that are accepted as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) to increase bulk and elevate sweetness. Natural additions such as monk fruit may also be added to stevia to neutralize the bitterness present in stevia. Products designed for cooking or baking can include cane sugar, brown sugar, etc. to provide a different taste and moisture.
What is the shelf life for stevia?
The shelf life of stevia products is dependent mostly on the product form and storage conditions. It can vary between 3-4 years for most brands. The consistency of powders, tablets, or granular versions can be maintained by storing them in a cool and dry place. Some brands may suggest refrigerating liquid stevia for longer use. It is best to check the label for the manufacturer’s advice regarding storage for the safe use of stevia.
The Final Note
Stevia is a natural sweetener that is now used globally in beverages, cooked food, or even added to baked preparations as an effective replacement for sugar. Made from leaf extracts of the stevia plant, it has been granted GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status by the FDA.
Many scientific studies support the use of stevia to maintain blood sugar and reduce calorie consumption for better health. This makes stevia an ideal sugar substitute for diabetics and fitness enthusiasts.
Stevia supplements can contain other ingredients such as brown sugar, monk fruit, or erythritol for taste and bulk. Checking with a practitioner for suitability can help in choosing the right stevia supplement for enjoying the great taste with fewer calories.