Stevioside is a
glycoside
In chemistry, a glycoside is a molecule in which a sugar is bound to another functional group via a glycosidic bond. Glycosides play numerous important roles in living organisms. Many plants store chemicals in the form of inactive glycosides. ...
derived from the
stevia plant, which can be used as a sweetener.
Evidence of benefit is lacking for long-term effects on
weight loss
Weight loss, in the context of medicine, health, or physical fitness, refers to a reduction of the total body mass, by a mean loss of fluid, body fat (adipose tissue), or lean mass (namely bone mineral deposits, muscle, tendon, and other conn ...
and heart disease risks.
Origin
Stevioside is the main sweetener (along with
rebaudioside A
Rebaudioside A (sometimes shortened to "Reb A") is a steviol glycoside from the leaves of '' Stevia rebaudiana'' that is 240 times sweeter than sugar. Rebaudioside A is the sweetest and most stable steviol glycoside, and is less bitter than stevio ...
) found in the leaves of ''
Stevia rebaudiana
''Stevia rebaudiana'' is a plant species in the genus ''Stevia'' of the family Asteraceae. It is commonly known as candyleaf, sweetleaf or sugarleaf.
It is a small seasonal plant which grows to a height of . It has elongated leaves that grow al ...
'', a plant originating in South America. Dried leaves, as well as aqueous extracts, have been used for decades as a sweetener in many countries, notably in Latin America and Asia (Japan, China).
Stevioside was discovered in 1931 by French chemists who gave it its name.
The sweetening power of stevioside was estimated to be about 300 times stronger than cane sugar.
See also
*
Steviol glycoside
Steviol glycosides are the chemical compounds responsible for the sweet taste of the leaves of the South American plant '' Stevia rebaudiana'' (Asteraceae) and the main ingredients (or precursors) of many sweeteners marketed under the generic na ...
References
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Glucosides
Stevia (genus)
Vinylidene compounds