According to Mintel, a significant majority of American consumers (84%) are actively reducing their sugar intake. This shift has sparked a growing demand for alternative sweeteners, with stevia experiencing the most rapid growth in this category last year. Sales of other natural sweeteners, both caloric and low-calorie, such as agave syrup, honey, and monk fruit, are also increasing.
However, manufacturers have faced taste-related challenges with stevia and monk fruit, prompting several companies to create products that blend these two sweeteners to address bitterness issues. Early adopters include Chobani, which launched its Simply 100 Greek yogurt line in 2013 featuring a stevia-monk fruit blend. Later that same year, Zevia revamped its stevia-sweetened soda by incorporating monk fruit extract.
GLG Life Tech has taken a different route. Initially focusing solely on stevia extracts, the company entered the monk fruit market in 2014 as more brands began to combine these sweeteners. Last year, GLG partnered with Colorado-based MycoTechnology to utilize the bitter-blocking properties of mushroom mycelium for its stevia and monk fruit sweeteners. ADM will incorporate this innovative technology into its products. MycoTech’s certified organic ClearTaste powder also offers a clean label advantage, allowing it to be listed on ingredient labels as ‘natural flavor(ing)’ or ‘natural flavor enhancer.’
While monk fruit extracts tend to be pricier than stevia extracts, they possess a unique taste profile that may appeal to manufacturers based on the flavors of their final products. In June, ADM announced its partnership with GLG Life Tech to become the exclusive distributor and marketer of its low-calorie stevia and monk fruit sweeteners. This collaboration enhances ADM’s global low-calorie sweetener portfolio, which already includes VivaSweet sucralose.
As consumers look for ways to manage their diets, understanding how to take calcium citrate effectively can be beneficial for overall health, just as knowing the best sugar alternatives can help them achieve their dietary goals.