The sweetener steviol glycosides is the first sugar substitute that is purely plant-based and is obtained from the Stevia rebaudiana plant (also known as the sweet herb). The plant originates from South America, but is cultivated worldwide thanks to its sweetening properties.

The plant's sweetener has only been authorised in Europe since December 2011 and can therefore only be consumed in limited quantities. For regular consumption, this amount is 10 mg per kilogramme of body weight. The reason for this restriction is that so far there is only clear data on the health safety of small quantities. The sweetening power of the plant-based sweetener is up to 300 times stronger than that of conventional household sugar (sucrose).

One disadvantage of the sweetener steviol glycosides is that it has a slightly bitter, liquorice-like taste. Depending on the origin of the plant, the mixture of substances contained and therefore the flavour also varies.

Although the sweetener is classified as harmless and can therefore be included in finished products, it is currently not recommended to use the sweetener itself as a substitute for sugar, as the plant itself has not yet been authorised as a foodstuff due to a lack of research and data.
As an additive, the plant-based sweetener is just as low in calories and tooth-friendly as other sugar substitutes.