Stevia supplier PureCircle set up the Global Stevia Institute last month, with the stated aim of providing credible, consolidated, science-based information on stevia to industry, health professionals and consumers, led by a team of scientific advisers who can submit the science to third-party scrutiny.
Currently, stevia-derived sweeteners are often referred to differently depending on the component. There are several sweet compounds found in the leaves of the stevia plant – referred to collectively as steviol glycosides. The steviol glycoside that is used in most commercially available stevia extracts, including Cargill’s Truvia, PureCircle’s PureVia, and Blue California’s Good & Sweet, is high-purity rebaudioside A, also known as Reb A, which is about 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar. But the Global Stevia Institute has proposed that all naturally extracted stevia-derived sweeteners should be referred to simply as ‘stevia’.
Nutrition expert and executive director of the Global Stevia Institute (GSI) Dr. Keith-Thomas Ayoob said: "One of our goals is to have consumers around the world recognize the word 'stevia' to mean natural, no calorie and sweet. The GSI will broaden the understanding of stevia, its origins, its safety and its applicability to food choices and sweetening options around the world."
The call is included in the institute’s first white paper entitled “The role of stevia in the 21st century diet: Changing the conversation around sugar reduction” available online. The paper draws a parallel with use of the word ‘sugar’ to refer to different sugars, such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, galactose, and lactose.
“A similar approach in discussing sweetness from stevia will help eliminate confusion and further an understanding of its use in a healthful diet,” the paper said.
PureCircle said last month that the institute’s activities will include providing education about stevia through webinars and events such as the Society for Nutrition Education annual conference, the American Association of Diabetes Educators annual meeting and the American Dietetic Association Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo.