How Stevia Is Changing The Food And Beverage Industry

If you are a regular follower of the food and beverage industry, then you must have definitely come across the word "Stevia." Stevia is the current trend that is captivating both the millennial and the older generation, thanks to its delightful sweet taste and health benefit that it offers.

Yup, you heard it right!

It's sweet and good for your health. Stevia is not just sweet; it is said to be 250-300 times sweeter than your everyday table sugar.

So What is Stevia?

Stevia/Stevia Rebaudiana is a sweetener that is extracted from the leaves of the plant species of the same name. Stevia plant leaves have a refreshing flavor, zero-glycemic index, zero-calories, and zero-carbs.

How Big is this Stevia Crazy You Ask!

 Giants in the beverage industry are apparently planning to change their sweetening agent in their drink. The process has already started, with Coca-Cola and Pepsi Co. launching "Coca-Cola Life" and "Pepsi True" both sweetened with Stevia.

Furthermore, to vindicate the Stevia Craze, a market research report has estimated that,

 "The worldwide market for Stevia / Stevia Rebaudiana is valued at US$ 340 million in 2018, reaching US$ 450 million by the end of 2025, increasing at a CAGR of 3.8% in 2019-2025."

Why Stevia?

 Due to its unmatched sweetness, Stevia has the ability to replace sugar fully and acts as its substitute without affecting the taste. But the primary reason that Stevia is catching up like wildfire is due to its health benefits. 

Health benefits of Stevia

�       Can help in the regulation of blood sugar and insulin

�       May lower blood pressure

�        Since it is zero-calorie, it can help in weight loss

�       Stevia contains many sterols, including kaempferol, and antioxidant compounds. Studies have shown that kaempferol can reduce pancreatic cancer risk by 23%.

 Due to such characteristics, Stevia is looked as the game-changer in the food and beverage industry.

 Market analysis of the soft drink segment has estimated that revenue of around USD 122 billion will be generated by the end of 2019, just from the Americas region.

 Now even if a quarter of this soft drink industries switch over to Stevia as their sweetening agent, the yield generated by the Stevia and its subsidiary market will spike up exponentially.