Stevia is a sweet sugar substitute extracted from the leaves of the plant species Stevia rebaudiana, which is native to Paraguay and Brazil. The active compounds in stevia are steviol glycosides, mainly stevioside and rebaudioside, which have about 50 to 300 times the sweetness of sugar, are heat-stable, pH-stable, and not fermentable. Stevia is used in sugar- and calorie-reduced food and beverage products as an alternative for variants with sugar. Here are some key facts about stevia:

• Stevia is a non-nutritive sweetener, which means it contains zero calories as a sugar substitute.
• Stevia is natural, unlike other sugar substitutes, and is made from a leaf related to popular garden flowers like asters and chrysanthemums.
• Stevia is used in several tabletop sweeteners, such as Truvia®, Pure Via®, Stevia In The Raw®, SPLENDA® Naturals Stevia Sweetener, SweetLeaf®, and Enliten®, as well as other retail products sold under store-brand names.
• Stevia sweeteners can be used in beverages, canned fruits, condiments, dairy products, baked goods, cereals, chocolate, and other confections, as well as syrups.
• Stevia sweeteners are derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, and the steviol glycosides are extracted from the leaves and purified to remove some of the bitter attributes found in the crude extract.
• Stevia has a mild, licorice-like taste that’s slightly bitter, and some people enjoy it, but it’s a turn-off for others.
• Stevia made with Reb-A is safe to use in moderation during pregnancy.
• Stevia is about 100 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar, but it has no carbohydrates, calories, or artificial ingredients.
• Stevia may help keep blood sugar levels in check for people with diabetes.
• Stevia is safe to use as a sugar substitute, and the FDA has approved the purified form of stevia, called stevioside, as safe to use.

In summary, stevia is a natural, non-nutritive sweetener that is derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It is used as a sugar substitute in a variety of food and beverage products and is safe to use in moderation.