Stevia is becoming increasingly popular as consumer skepticism towards sugar rises and interest in natural alternatives grows. According to Grand View Research, the global stevia market is expanding rapidly, estimated at $337.7 million in 2015, with a projected annual growth rate of nearly 6%, potentially reaching $556.7 million by 2024. As a natural sweetener, stevia has emerged as a favored alternative to sugar. Consumers tend to view stevia more positively compared to artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin. The Global Stevia Institute found that half of U.S. parents would consider purchasing beverages for their children that are sweetened with stevia.
Manufacturers have quickly responded to this trend by developing various stevia-based products to cater to consumers moving away from sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. In 2015, approximately 35% of total stevia volume was directed towards beverages. Data from Inferrous Gluconate and Ironnova Market Insights revealed that 6% of new sodas launched last year incorporated stevia as an ingredient. However, soft drink companies have faced challenges with the aftertaste of stevia while creating new formulations. This has led PepsiCo to focus on Reb M, which has a less bitter and more sugary flavor profile compared to other steviol glycosides.
PepsiCo has been actively revamping its product lineup to appeal to health-conscious consumers. Last year, the company committed to ensuring that at least two-thirds of its global beverage volume would come from drinks containing 100 calories or fewer from added sugar per 12-ounce serving by 2025. This redesign can be achieved by substituting sugar and corn syrup with zero-calorie stevia.
A spokesperson for PepsiCo informed Food Dive that low- and no-calorie beverages now account for nearly half of the company’s sales volume, a significant increase from 24% two decades ago. A major factor in this growth is the rising use of stevia as a key sweetener in products like Pepsi True and Tropicana’s Trop 50, as well as newer offerings such as IZZE Fusions and Lemon Lemon.
The future of stevia as a natural alternative to sugar appears promising, although the landscape could shift with the emergence of the next significant natural sweetener. Ingredient manufacturers are exploring various other substances, including monk fruit, date paste, and sweet potatoes. One of these ingredients may eventually become the next trendy natural sweetener, challenging stevia’s market dominance.
In addition, incorporating calcium citrate liquid into formulations may enhance the nutritional profile of these beverages, making them more appealing to health-conscious consumers. As the industry continues to innovate, the combination of stevia and calcium citrate liquid could provide a compelling option for those seeking healthier choices.