Stevioside, a glycoside with the chemical formula C₃₈H₆₀O₁₈, is extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, a member of the Asteraceae family native to Paraguay and Brazil. It is renowned for its intense sweetness, which is 200–300 times that of sucrose, and its negligible caloric value—approximately 1/300th of sugar. Recognized as safe and effective, stevioside has gained widespread regulatory approval and is extensively used across food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries in Asia, the Americas, and the European Union.

1. Food and Beverage Industry: A Core Sweetening Solution

Stevioside serves as a key ingredient in the development of reduced-sugar and sugar-free products, aligning with global health trends:

• Beverages:
  It is widely used in sugar-free carbonated drinks (e.g., cola, sparkling water), tea beverages, low-sugar fruit juices, and plant-based protein drinks. Its high sweetness potency means only minimal amounts are required, contributing almost no calories. Additionally, stevioside remains stable in acidic environments and under high-temperature sterilization, making it ideal for hot-filled tea drinks and carbonated beverages.

• Baked Goods:
  In products such as bread, biscuits, and cakes, stevioside exhibits excellent heat resistance, maintaining stability even at baking temperatures exceeding 100°C. Unlike sucrose, it does not participate in the Maillard reaction, helping baked items like white bread and cream cakes retain a light color.

• Dairy Products:
  It integrates well with dairy systems, used in sugar-free yogurt, low-sugar ice cream, and flavored milk. Stevioside does not produce off-flavors or disrupt texture and can even help mask undesirable milky odors. It also remains stable under refrigeration, ensuring consistent sweetness throughout the product’s shelf life.

2. Pharmaceutical Applications: Enhancing Palatability

In pharmaceutical formulations, stevioside acts as a safe and effective flavor-enhancing agent:

• It is commonly used in oral liquid preparations (e.g., cough syrups, antipyretics) and chewable tablets (e.g., vitamin supplements, throat lozenges) to mask bitterness and improve patient compliance, especially among children and the elderly.

• Stevioside is also suitable for special medical purpose foods, including enteral nutrition formulas for diabetic and obese patients, where sugar control is critical.

3. Health Products and Functional Foods

The compound supports sugar reduction across a spectrum of health-oriented products:

• It sweetens low-sugar protein powders, meal replacements, and dietary fiber supplements, catering to fitness enthusiasts and individuals managing carbohydrate intake.

• In weight management foods such as meal replacement bars and low-calorie jellies, stevioside helps reduce total caloric content while satisfying sweet cravings.

• Subject to regional food safety standards, it is also used in certain infant foods, such as rice cereals and fruit purees, to limit early exposure to sugars without compromising taste.

Through its versatile applications, stevioside exemplifies a natural, potent, and safe sweetening solution that supports healthier product formulation across multiple sectors—from everyday foods to specialized nutritional and pharmaceutical products.