Sugar substitute, stevia, liquid
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A clear, intensely sweet liquid derived from the stevia plant, often used drop by drop to sweeten beverages and dishes without adding sugar. Its taste is clean and sweet, though some detect a mild, lingering herbal or licorice-like note. Nutritionally, it provides about 51 kcal per 100g, primarily from carbohydrates, but is used in such tiny amounts that its caloric impact is negligible.
Calorie split: 6% protein · 94% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for delivering intense sweetness without the calories or blood sugar spikes of sugar, making it a staple for those managing weight or diabetes. Its versatility allows it to seamlessly sweeten coffee, tea, smoothies, yogurt, and even some baked goods.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Some individuals are sensitive to stevia's characteristic aftertaste, which can be described as bitter or metallic. To mitigate this, it's often blended with other sweeteners like erythritol or used in recipes with strong flavors (e.g., chocolate, citrus) that mask it. Always start with a single drop and adjust to avoid over-sweetening.
Key benefits
- Zero glycemic index, does not raise blood sugar levels
- Extremely potent, a few drops replace teaspoons of sugar
- Adds no fat, cholesterol, or sodium to food
- Heat-stable, suitable for both hot and cold applications
- Widely used in low-calorie and diabetic-friendly diets
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Stevia's sweetness comes from steviol glycosides, compounds up to 300 times sweeter than table sugar, which are extracted and purified from the leaves of the *Stevia rebaudiana* plant.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 87.0 g |
| Energy | 51.0 kcal |
| Protein | 0.80 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 12.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.70 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.01 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.00 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 0.00 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 210 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.00 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.50 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Beverages, coffee substitute, cereal grain beverage, powder, prepared with whole milk — USDA does not publish this profile for Sugar substitute.
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.15 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.20 g |
| Leucine | 0.32 g |
| Lysine | 0.26 g |
| Methionine | 0.08 g |
| Cystine | 0.03 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.16 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.16 g |
| Valine | 0.22 g |
| Arginine | 0.12 g |
| Histidine | 0.09 g |
| Alanine | 0.12 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.25 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.69 g |
| Glycine | 0.07 g |
| Proline | 0.32 g |
| Serine | 0.18 g |
FAQ
Is liquid stevia the same as stevia extract?
Yes, liquid stevia is typically a purified extract of steviol glycosides dissolved in a base like water or vegetable glycerin, making it ready for immediate use.
Can I bake with liquid stevia?
Yes, but because it provides no bulk, recipes often require a bulking agent like applesauce or a sugar alcohol to maintain texture. It's best for moist, dense baked goods like muffins or brownies.
Does liquid stevia have a shelf life?
Yes, it's very stable and can last for years if stored in a cool, dark place. Its intense sweetness means you'll likely use it up long before any degradation occurs.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.51 kcal/g · 6% calories from protein · 0.7 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.