Steviol glycosides themselves supply almost no energy to the body. Whether a product is “zero-calorie” depends on its physical form: the pure material is a high-intensity sweetener used in tiny amounts, while commercial powders often contain carriers such as maltodextrin or erythritol, and those carriers do carry calories.
Metabolically, steviol glycosides are not absorbed in the small intestine. They reach the colon, where gut microbiota convert them to steviol, which is excreted. No usable energy is produced, so the glycoside itself has no calories.
The commercial form changes that conclusion. To make dosing and dispersion practical, steviol glycosides are often diluted into 1%-10% preparations whose sweetness is only a few percent to a tenth of the pure material, so the amount used rises proportionally. At that point the calories in the formula may come from the carrier rather than from the sweetener. If a product is going to carry a “zero calorie” or “zero sugar” claim, read the carrier first, not just the name of the sweetener.
What “zero” legally means
| Market | Rule | Threshold |
|---|
| China | GB 28050 | Energy ≤ 17 kJ/100 g (or 100 mL) |
| United States | “calorie free” | Under 5 kcal per serving |
| European Union | “energy-free” | No more than 4 kcal/100 mL in beverages |
The three thresholds are close, but they are measured on different bases. Always check the local regulation before the label is set.
Because the measurement basis differs between markets, a claim that is compliant in one country is not automatically compliant in another.
Related products: Optimvia Reb-M / Reb-D · Reb-A Series