According to Mintel, a significant majority of American consumers (84%) are actively reducing their sugar intake. This trend has resulted in a growing demand for alternative sweeteners, with those derived from stevia experiencing the fastest growth in the market last year. Additionally, sales of other natural sweeteners, both caloric and low-calorie, such as agave syrup, honey, and monk fruit, are also on the rise. However, manufacturers face taste challenges with stevia and monk fruit, prompting several companies to create products that combine the two sweeteners to mitigate bitterness issues.
For instance, Chobani launched its Simply 100 Greek yogurt line in 2013, featuring a blend of stevia and monk fruit. Later that same year, Zevia reformulated its stevia-sweetened soda to incorporate monk fruit extract. In a different approach, GLG Life Tech began producing monk fruit extracts in 2014, after exclusively focusing on stevia extracts. As more companies began blending these sweeteners, GLG partnered with MycoTechnology last year to harness the bitter-blocking properties of mushroom mycelium for its stevia and monk fruit products. This technology will enhance ADM’s offerings, which also includes the certified organic ClearTaste powder from MycoTech, allowing it to be labeled as ‘natural flavor(ing)’ or ‘natural flavor enhancer.’
While monk fruit extracts are generally costlier than stevia extracts, their distinct taste profile can sometimes make them a preferable choice for manufacturers, depending on the intended flavors of the final product. In June, ADM announced its partnership with GLG Life Tech to serve as the exclusive distributor and marketer of its low-calorie stevia and monk fruit sweeteners. This collaboration is set to enhance ADM’s global portfolio of low-calorie sweeteners, which already features VivaSweet sucralose.
Furthermore, in the context of dietary supplements, consumers may also wonder about what is calcium citrate with vitamin D3, as these nutrients can play a crucial role in overall health, especially for those mindful of their sugar intake. As the trend toward healthier choices continues, understanding the benefits of such supplements, alongside alternative sweeteners, becomes increasingly relevant.