Splenda vs. Stevia — What's the Difference?

Contains fillers like maltodextrin and dextrose.

May have a distinctive aftertaste compared to other sweeteners.

A sugar substitute known for its strong heat stability.

A natural sweetener derived from the Stevia plant.

Can be used in a variety of cooking and baking recipes.

Contains zero calories, making it a popular dietary choice.

Marketed as suitable for diabetics due to its low glycemic index.

Often used in beverages and smoothies.

Available in granular and packet form for versatile use.

Available in liquid, powder, and granulated forms.

Splenda is a global brand of sugar substitutes and reduced-calorie food products. While they are known for their original formulation containing sucralose, they also manufacture items using natural sweeteners such as stevia, monk fruit, and allulose.

Stevia () is a natural sweetener and sugar substitute derived from the leaves of the plant species Stevia rebaudiana, native to Brazil and Paraguay.The active compounds are steviol glycosides (mainly stevioside and rebaudioside), which have 30 to 150 times the sweetness of sugar, are heat-stable, pH-stable, and not fermentable. The human body does not metabolize the glycosides in stevia, so it contains zero calories, like artificial sweeteners.

Any of various American plants of the genus Stevia of the composite family, especially the perennial S. rebaudiana, native to Paraguay, whose leaves contain sweet-tasting glycosides.

Any of various extracts derived from the leaves of S. rebaudiana, used as noncaloric sweeteners and flavoring agents.

Any of the sweet herbs of genus Stevia, native to tropical and subtropical regions of South America and western North America.

A sweetener, many times sweeter than an equal amount of sugar, extracted from Stevia rebaudiana, that can be substituted for sugar for some purposes.

Any plant of the genus Stevia or the closely related genus Piqueria having glutinous foliage and white or purplish flowers; Central and South America

Any plant of the genus Piqueria or the closely related genus Stevia

Splenda is primarily made from sucralose, a synthetic compound derived from sugar.

Stevia sweetener is extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant through a process of steeping the leaves in water.

Yes, Splenda can be used by diabetics as it has a low glycemic index and does not spike blood sugar levels.

Yes, Stevia is recognized as safe for consumption by major health organizations, including the FDA.

Yes, Splenda tends to have a more neutral taste, while Stevia can have a slight licorice-like aftertaste.

Stevia is safe and does not typically interact with medications, but it's always best to consult a healthcare provider.

Splenda is generally preferred for baking due to its heat stability.

While Splenda is low in calories, excessive use of any sweeteners could potentially lead to weight gain by influencing appetite and food intake habits.

Stevia is commonly used to sweeten teas, coffees, and desserts, especially in dietary products.

In some individuals, Stevia might cause mild side effects like bloating or nausea, particularly in large amounts.

Yes, Stevia is available in various flavors like vanilla and chocolate to enhance its versatility in recipes.

Yes, Splenda dissolves well and can be used in both hot and cold beverages.

Both Splenda and Stevia have a long shelf life, typically several years when stored properly.

Both Splenda and Stevia are suitable for ketogenic diets due to their low carbohydrate content.

Splenda is considered vegan as it does not contain any animal-derived ingredients.