The Benefits of Natural Sweeteners

Sugar adds an irresistible edge of sweetness to many of the food and drinks we consume on a regular basis; however, alongside that short-lasting dopamine surge from consuming sugar comes an energy crash and other short and long term health side effects. A diet with too much sugar in it can lead to obesity, increased risk of diabetes and heart disease, along with a numerous other health risks. ^[1] Although sugar has long been used as an additive to many different food and drinks, using healthier substitutes has become a world-wide trend which has been embraced by people who strive to make better diet choices. At Tru, we use three all-natural, low-calorie sweeteners that provide the same sweet taste as sugar without any health risks.

Every Tru drink has 2g of sugar or less. Furthermore, the 1-2g of sugar which are included in each drink are all-natural with a low glycemic index. To put this in comparison with other competing drinks, a 12 oz can of the Red Bull classic contains 39 grams of sugar, which is equivalent to eating a whopping 10 whole sugar cubes! To give all Tru products a sweet balanced taste without adding heaps of sugar, we use a natural low-calorie sweetener system that serves as a healthy alternative to the artificial sugars flooding the market. Despite the potentially negative health consequences, artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium continue to sit on the packaging of major household names. 

The key to our natural sweetener system is three ingredients: Stevia Leaf extract, Monk Fruit extract, and Erythritol which are all naturally occurring and safe to consume. In addition, they are low in calories and provide that sweet taste of sugar without any of the unhealthy side effects! 

Stevia Leaf extract comes from the Stevia Plant. Native to South America, the plant has been used to sweeten drinks and medicines around the world for centuries. ^[2] Stevia is a virtually calorie-free sweetener that is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. ^[3] Because of its potent sweetness, only a very small amount of Stevia Leaf extract is needed to sufficiently sweeten our Tru drinks. In 2018, thorough research on Stevia Leaf extract was conducted by the FDA and determined to be Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) and therefore approved by the FDA. ^[4]

Monk fruit extract is a zero-calorie, all-natural sweetener that is also about 200 times sweeter than sugar. The sweetener is extracted from the Monk Fruit, a small fruit grown in Asia that has been used in traditional eastern medicine practices for centuries. It was approved for use in the United States by the FDA in 2010 and its popularity has skyrocketed ever since. While the Monk Fruit contains natural sugars, it actually gets its sweetness from its antioxidants called Mogrosides, which are extracted to comprise the sweetener. The natural sugars are separated from the extract during processing, making the Monk Fruit extract totally sugar-free. ^[5]

Erythritol is a low-calorie sweetener that naturally occurs in a number of foods including corn, mushrooms, and many different fruits. The compound has only 6% of calories of sugar while maintaining 70% of the sweetness. While it was discovered in the mid-19th century, it was not used as a sugar substitute until 1990. Erythritol is commonly mixed with other sweeteners to create a fantastic taste. ^[6]

By combining these three all-natural, zero to very low-calorie sweeteners, we are able to pack Tru drinks with a sweet balanced taste while only having 5-10 calories and 1-2g of sugar. Gone are the days of sacrificing taste for health and performance. Enjoy our drinks. Better yet, enjoy how they make you feel!