E960

Stevia (Steviol Glycosides)

Natural Zero-Calorie Sweetener from Stevia Leaves

What is E960 (Stevia)?

E960 refers to steviol glycosides – sweet compounds extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant.

Natural origin:

• Extracted from stevia plant leaves (native to South America)
• Used for centuries by indigenous peoples in Paraguay and Brazil
• 100% natural – not chemically synthesized

Sweetness:

• 200-400 times sweeter than sugar
• Zero calories
• Slight licorice/bitter aftertaste (improved in newer extracts)

Why it's used:

• Natural alternative to artificial sweeteners
• No calories, no blood sugar spike
• Heat stable – can be used in baking
• Consumer preference for natural ingredients

Where is Stevia Found?

Table-top Sweeteners:

• Truvia (stevia + erythritol blend)
• Pure Via
• Stevia packets (green packaging typically)

Diet Drinks:

• Coca-Cola Life (discontinued but was stevia-sweetened)
• Zevia (all-stevia soft drinks)
• Some energy drinks
• Flavoured water

Low-Calorie Foods:

• Low-sugar yogurts
• Protein bars and shakes
• Sugar-free gum
• Low-calorie ice cream
• Diabetic foods

Home Baking:

• Stevia baking blends
• Liquid stevia drops

Is Stevia Safe? What Science Says

✅ Extensive Safety Testing:

• EFSA (EU): Approved 2011 after comprehensive review – deemed safe
• FDA (US): "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) since 2008
• WHO/FAO: Approved with ADI of 4mg per kg body weight (as steviol equivalents)
• No cancer risk – extensive testing found no carcinogenic effects
• No reproductive toxicity
• No genotoxicity (DNA damage)

✅ Potential Health Benefits:

Unlike artificial sweeteners that are merely "safe," stevia may actually improve health:

1. Blood Pressure Reduction

• Studies show stevia may lower blood pressure in people with hypertension
• Effect modest but consistent across multiple studies
• May be useful for cardiovascular health

2. Blood Sugar Control

• Doesn't raise blood sugar (safe for diabetics)
• May even improve insulin sensitivity in some studies
• Helps diabetics manage sweet cravings without glucose spike

3. Antioxidant Properties

• Stevia leaves contain antioxidants
• May help reduce oxidative stress

4. No Gut Bacteria Disruption

• Unlike artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose), stevia doesn't harm gut microbiome
• Some evidence it may even support beneficial bacteria

⚠️ Minor Downsides (Not Safety Concerns):

1. Aftertaste

• Licorice or bitter aftertaste – some people dislike it
• Newer, highly purified extracts (Reb-A, Reb-M) taste better
• Blends with erythritol (Truvia) reduce aftertaste

2. Digestive Upset (Rare)

• Some people report bloating or nausea at very high doses
• Usually due to bulking agents (erythritol) in stevia products, not stevia itself

3. Possible Allergic Reaction (Very Rare)

• People allergic to ragweed or daisies may react to stevia (same plant family)
• Extremely uncommon

Stevia vs Artificial Sweeteners

Aspect	Stevia (E960)	Aspartame (E951)	Sucralose (E955)
Origin	✅ Natural (plant)	❌ Synthetic	❌ Synthetic
Safety	✅ Excellent	⚠️ Good (PKU warning)	⚠️ Concerns (DNA, gut)
Gut bacteria	✅ No disruption	⚠️ May disrupt	❌ Disrupts significantly
Benefits	✅ Blood pressure, blood sugar	❌ None	❌ None
Taste	⚠️ Licorice aftertaste	✅ Clean taste	✅ Sugar-like

Why Stevia Was Banned (Then Unbanned)

Historical controversy:

• 1980s-90s: US and EU banned stevia due to concerns about reproductive toxicity from old animal studies
• 2000s: New, rigorous safety studies found no reproductive harm
• 2008 (US), 2011 (EU): Stevia approved after comprehensive review
• Controversy: Some claim original ban was industry lobbying (protecting aspartame market)

Current verdict: Original concerns were unfounded. Stevia is now recognized as safe.

Regulatory Status

UK/EU: Approved 2011 with ADI of 4mg per kg body weight (as steviol equivalents)

US: FDA "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) since 2008

Worldwide: Approved in 60+ countries

Japan: Used since 1970s – longest safety record

Types of Stevia Extracts

• Rebaudioside A (Reb-A): Most common, sweeter, less aftertaste
• Rebaudioside M (Reb-M): Newest, best taste, most expensive
• Stevioside: Original extract, more bitter aftertaste
• Whole-leaf stevia: Crude form, not approved in EU/US (safety not established for whole leaf)

Note: Only purified steviol glycosides (like Reb-A) are approved – not whole stevia leaves.

The Bottom Line

• ✅ Completely safe – best safety profile of all sweeteners
• ✅ Natural origin – from stevia plant leaves
• ✅ No cancer, no reproductive harm, no DNA damage
• ✅ Health benefits – may lower blood pressure, improve blood sugar
• ✅ Doesn't harm gut bacteria
• ✅ Safe for diabetics
• ⚠️ Licorice aftertaste – some dislike it (improved in newer extracts)
• ✅ Heat stable – can be used in baking

Our recommendation: Stevia is the best sweetener choice. If you need a zero-calorie sweetener, choose stevia over artificial options. Start with high-purity extracts (Reb-A or Reb-M) or blends like Truvia for better taste. The only reason to choose artificial sweeteners over stevia is personal taste preference.

Last updated: February 2026