University of Wisconsin - Extension

Madison--The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently decided to allow rebiana sweeteners to be used in foods and beverages in the U.S. Rebiana products have been sold as dietary supplements for more than a decade, but this new ruling clears the way for their use in low-calorie food and beverage products.

Rebiana products are purified extracts from leaves of a plant known as stevia or sweetleaf. The new rebiana sweeteners will be marketed under various trade names such as Reb A, Truvia, and PureVia.

Susan Nitzke, a nutrition specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Extension, says that rebiana sweeteners are bound to generate interest among consumers. Because they are extracted from plant material, they will be marketed as natural, avoiding the synthetic stigma associated with many other low-calorie sweeteners.

“Rebiana sweeteners are about 300 times sweeter than table sugar, so the sweetness is provided at essentially zero calories,” says Nitzke. She notes that rebiana’s sweetness tends to have a bit of an aftertaste that may not appeal to some people.

“Many Americans make resolutions or take a more serious approach to diet and exercise in the first months of a new year,” says Nitzke. Since sweetened beverages are a major source of added sugar in the U.S., these new products may be helpful as people try to reduce their daily calorie intakes.

Nitzke points out that low-calorie products are an option for weight-conscious consumers, but a healthy diet still requires smart food choices and a physically active lifestyle. “Whether you choose rebiana products or not, you need to have small portions when you eat high-calorie foods and you need to make smart choices from every food group,” says Nitzke. Smart choices are the foods with the lowest amounts of solid fats or added sugars; for example, fat-free (skim) milk instead of whole milk.

More information on healthy food and beverage choices is available from your local UW-Extension office or http://www.MyPyramid.gov.