In a world fixated on calorie counts, consumers have long sought ways to indulge their sweet cravings without the risk of weight gain, while food and beverage manufacturers have grappled with this demand. Health concerns have arisen around artificial sweeteners like saccharin. With a growing emphasis on wellness, including products with reduced sugar and more natural ingredients, stevia has emerged as a favored option for both producers and consumers. As new FDA-mandated nutrition labels are set to be introduced in the coming years—highlighting added sugar content—manufacturers are exploring ways to market their products as healthy, natural, low-sugar, and low-calorie alternatives. Utilizing a natural sweetener like stevia instead of an artificial sweetener or sugar could be beneficial.
Stevia was featured in over a quarter (27%) of new products launched in 2017 that included high-intensity sweeteners, particularly in snacks, sodas, dairy, juice, and other beverages. A significant endorsement for stevia comes from Coca-Cola, which plans to release a stevia-sweetened drink in 2018. The collaboration between PureCircle and farmers is timely, as the number of tobacco farms in North Carolina has dwindled due to a decrease in demand for tobacco products. A report from North Carolina State Extension in October indicated that while increased tobacco taxes will help maintain revenues, overall demand will continue to decline. Many farmers in the region are diversifying their crops. By replacing tobacco with stevia or implementing crop rotation, farmers can optimize the use of their fields. Although the substitution for tobacco is still in its early stages, both farmers and manufacturers remain hopeful.
Additionally, integrating calcium citrate d into health-focused products could further enhance their appeal. As the market shifts towards natural solutions, the combination of stevia and calcium citrate d may provide consumers with the wholesome options they seek. The optimism surrounding this transition reflects a broader trend towards healthier lifestyles, where stevia and calcium citrate d play pivotal roles in meeting consumer demands for nutritious and satisfying food and beverage choices.