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Stevia glucose comes in different forms for varied applications. The range of types is attributable to the preferences and reasons for which the users consume the sweetener.
Stevia Extracts
Stevia extracts are pure concentrates from the Stevia plant. They contain little or no glucoside, which is the sweet part of the stevia plant. The extract is highly purified to extract only the sweet compounds without the bitter amino acids. These extracts, such as Rebaudioside A, often taste very sweet and are usually sold with instructions on how to dilute them for use.
Stevia Blends with Glucose
To improve the taste and texture of pure stevia sweeteners, many manufacturers mix them with other carbohydrates, such as glucose powder or erythritol. Glucose is a natural sugar found in many foods. When added to stevia, it reduces the sweetness of the stevia by increasing its volume. This blending makes it possible to achieve the same texture as the sugar substitutes without the calories. These blends are popular in baking and food products requiring a larger quantity of a sweetening agent.
Liquid Stevia Tinctures
Stevia tinctures are extracts that contain stevia in liquid form. Alcohol or glycerin extracts of stevia leaves are often used to make tinctures. This form is preferred because it is convenient to measure and add to food and drinks. Liquid tinctures also have the advantage of being more readily absorbed into the body compared to solid extracts.
Stevia Tablets and Powder
Stevia is available in processed powders and tablets for easy consumption. Stevia leaves are dried and ground to powder. Some manufacturers go a step further and combine ground leaves with other sweetening agents, such as glucose, and compress them into sweetener tablets. These tablets and powders are often added to medicine or prescribed as a treatment in combination with other medicinal herbs.
Organic Stevia
Organic stevia is produced without synthetic pesticides, chemicals, or genetically modified organisms. Many people prefer organic stevia to sweeten their beverages and food because they do not want any chemical residue. Organic stevia products are often labeled and marketed accordingly to keep in tune with customer demand for organic-certified goods.
There are many applications of stevia sweeteners owing to their versatility and health benefits. Below are some common uses:
As A Sugar Substitute In Foods and Beverages
Stevia sweeteners are gaining popularity as a substitute for sugar in food and beverage products, especially in goods marketed toward diabetic, keto, or low-carb dieters. With no sugar, stevias allow manufacturers to retain the sweetness in low-calorie foods without negative health effects. Consequently, they are widely used in beverages such as soft drinks, teas, and flavored waters.
Baking and Cooking
Stevia sweetness is often used when baking cakes, cookies, and other baked foods. Because of its stability, stevia does not change or lose its properties when exposed to heat during the baking process. It also holds its sweetness when foods are cooked or modified through chemical processes.
Pharmaceuticals and Dietary Supplements
On the medicinal side, stevia sweeteners help mask bitterness in supplements, vitamins, and liquid medications. Also, the non-cariogenic properties of stevia help in the prevention of tooth decay and cavities. Because of this property, it is used in oral health products like mouthwashes and toothpaste to promote general and dental health.
Food Deserts and Special Diets
Stevia is ideal for diabetics, people following keto diets, and those seeking to minimize their sugar intake. Stevia provides the sweetness people desire without raising blood sugar levels or adding to calories. Stevia can sweeten coffee, tea, and other foods without worry for stable glucose level control.
Fermentation in Baking Yeasts
Stevia glucose is an energy source for some strains of baking yeasts. There is no scientific evidence that Stevia inhibits yeast growth or fermentation. Therefore, Stevia glucose absorption by yeast leads to fermentation without raising blood sugar levels. Because of this property, Stevia glucoses are ideal in bread making and brewing, especially in gluten-free and low-carb recipes.
Flavoring Agent in Food Industry
Stevia can also be used to balance or enhance the flavor of some food ingredients. Stevia sweetener can be used to mask the bitterness of caffeine in coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Stevia also interacts with acidic additives to improve the overall taste of flavored waters and citrus-based drinks.
Stevia sweetness consumption has several health advantages:
Zero Glycemic Index
Stevia has a zero glycemic index, which means that its consumption does not increase blood sugar levels. It is therefore a safe sweetener for diabetics and others who wish to control their blood sugar levels. Stevia can sweeten foods and beverages without negatively impacting metabolic processes.
Low Caloric Content
Compared to regular sugar or other sweeteners, stevia has a low caloric content. Since it does not contain calories, Stevia can sweeten foods and beverages without adding empty sugar calories. For this reason, Stevia glucose sweeteners are popular among people who want to lose weight or maintain their weight.
Natural Origin
Stevia is a natural sweetener extracted from the Stevia rebaudiana plant. Other non-nutritive sweeteners are synthetically manufactured, and some have been linked to adverse health side effects. They are extracted from a plant and processed to give Stevia sweeteners that are a natural product with a long history of safe sweetening use.
Dental Health Benefits:
Stevia is non-cariogenic, which means it does not contribute to the formation of cavities and tooth decay. Also, its antibacterial properties prevent oral pathogens from ruining teeth and causing related diseases. Because of its positive properties, stevia sweeteners are used in mouthwashes, gum, and toothpaste.
Sweetness Without Bitter Aftertaste
Stevia sweeteners are many times sweeter than sugar, hence only a small amount is needed to achieve the desired sweetness. Some other sweeteners have a bitter aftertaste, while most Stevia extracts taste just as sweet with no bitterness. This property makes Stevia sweeteners suitable for many food and beverage applications where they must remain odorless.
Appropriate storage of organic stevia sweeteners ensures that their quality, flavor, and effectiveness are retained until the end of the shelf life. The following tips help to appropriately store stevia sweeteners:
Keep in a Cool, Dry Place
Stevia sweeteners should be stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat. Light and harsh temperatures can diminish the sweetness and might alter the properties of stevia extracts. Stevia sweeteners should be stored in airtight containers at room temperature in a dark environment.
Airtight Containers
Stevia sweeteners should be kept in an airtight container. Moisture in the atmosphere interacts with stevia sweeteners to yield clumping especially for stevia powders. Moisture in the atmosphere also leads to the degradation of the flavor of stevia extracts. The original packaging may not provide adequate protection for some stevia sweeteners. Transfer them into airtight jars, canisters, or sealed pouches for further protection.
Refrigeration for Liquid Stevia
Liquid stevia tinctures or extracts should be stored in the refrigerator unless instructed otherwise by the manufacturer. Liquids should be refrigerated to help preserve their freshness and prevent separation. Stevia liquids should be kept in sealed containers, preferably dark glass bottles, to protect the extracts from light exposure.
Separate from Other Ingredients
Staying away from other ingredients is very important, particularly for powdered or crystalline stevia. Exposure to moisture, odor, or contamination from other ingredients might negatively affect the flavor and purity of the extracts. Stevia extracts should be kept apart from foods with strong or pungent fragrances, such as spices, coffee, and herbs.
Check Expiration Dates
Stevia sweeteners do not last forever, hence storage should be done with awareness of the expiration date. Efficacy may decrease over time after the shelf life of stevia extracts, meaning that older extracts might not be as potent in sweetness. Remind users to check the expiration date of extracts and dispose of them after reaching them to avoid using ineffective products.
A1. Stevia extracts are highly concentrated forms of sweet phytochemicals taken from the stevia rebaudiana plant. On the other hand, Stevia glucose essence is obtained through the simple purification of plant crude extracts. It means that while extracts have a high concentration of sweet compounds, essences have relatively lower concentrations.
A2. Alcohol and glycerin are the most commonly used solvents for preparing liquid stevia extracts or tinctures. Dried stevia leaves are soaked in either alcohol or glycerin to extract the glicosides. After soaking, the mixture is strained to separate the solvent containing the dissolved glicosides from the plant material. The extract is then concentrated by evaporating the alcohol, leaving a sticky sweet liquid.
A3. Stevia is extracted from a plant and is a natural sweetener. The sucralose sweetener, on the other hand, belongs to the class of artificially synthesized sweeteners. It is made of sucrose. Chlorine atoms are substituted for hydroxyl groups by chlorination to obtain sucralose.
A4. Most people can safely consume stevia sweeteners but in limited amounts. Some may experience gastrointestinal side effects or allergic reactions. Stevia can raise or lower blood pressure in some people, so hypertensive patients should be more careful about stevia sweetener consumption. They must consult with their health providers first before consuming Stevia.