Steviol glycosides come from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. They deliver intense sweetness without calories, measuring 200 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar.
Manufacturers extract and purify these compounds for use in foods, drinks, and tabletop sweetener packets. People reach for them when cutting back on sugar and managing calorie intake.
Major health authorities classify steviol glycosides as safe. Some people notice mild bloating or stomach upset after unusually large doses.