Stevia Extract: Efficient, Safe and Natural Sweetener and Antioxidant

2025-02-12

Stevia Extract is a substance extracted from the stevia plant, which is characterized by high sweetness, low calorie, low glycemic index and antioxidant activity, making it an ideal food additive and cosmetic raw material. The aim of this paper is to introduce its main components, extraction method, antioxidant activity, safety, stability and economy, and to explore the prospects of its application in the fields of food, beverage, medicine and skin care.

The main component of Stevia Extract is stevioside, a disaccharide glycoside composed of glucose and steviol, of which steviol is a triterpenoid with antioxidant activity. Glucose is a common monosaccharide that is an important source of energy for the body; steviol is a hormone-like substance that regulates the body's metabolism and immune function. The two combine to form steviol glycosides, a substance that not only has a strong sweet flavor, but is also beneficial to the human body.

The antioxidant activity of Stevia Extract mainly comes from steviol, which can scavenge free radicals, protect cells from oxidative damage and slow down the aging process. In the field of skin care, it strengthens the skin's resistance, inhibits permeability, improves redness buildup, and tones the skin's overall facial complexion. Free radicals are unstable molecules that attack normal cells and DNA, leading to cell malfunction or death. Free radicals accelerate the aging of the body and the onset of various diseases. Therefore, intake of substances with antioxidant activity can help us prevent and delay these problems.

The safety of Stevia Extract has been evaluated and certified by many countries, and has been identified as a safe food additive by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Stevioside does not participate in metabolism in the body, does not accumulate and has no toxic effects. It can be consumed by diabetics, allergy sufferers, obese people, children and pregnant women. According to a long-term study on the effects on human health, no adverse reactions or side effects were found after two years of continuous intake of it.

The stability of Stevia Extract is manifested in heat resistance and acid and alkali resistance, which will not decompose or deteriorate at high temperatures and different pH values . This allows it to be adapted to a wide range of process conditions in food, beverage and pharmaceutical processing, as well as cosmetic production. For example, it can be added to baked, frozen, yogurt and other foods without affecting their taste and quality; it can also be added to tea, coffee, fruit juice and other beverages without changing their color and aroma; and it can also be added to toothpaste, mouthwash, lotion and other cosmetics without causing allergy or irritation.

In summary, it is an efficient, safe and natural sweetener and antioxidant, which has many advantages and application prospects. With the increasing awareness of health and environmental protection, Stevia Extract will be more widely used and promoted in the fields of food, beverage, medicine and skin care.