Brewing Deceit: The Dark Side of Stevia Coffee Mixes – Are Manufacturers Like Mocha C&T Misleading Consumers

Stevia coffee mix has recently been in the spotlight as a healthy alternative beverage among many consumers. Manufacturers claim that this product manages blood sugar and helps with dieting, but claims have been made that in reality, there are many important facts that consumers are unaware of.

Recently, consumer groups and experts are raising questions about the ingredients and effects of stevia coffee mix and are calling for improvements.

The Citizens’ Association for Consumer Sovereignty (hereinafter referred to as Consumer Sovereignty) says that stevia coffee mix boasts a sweeter and smoother taste than regular coffee due to the addition of stevia extract. Manufacturers claim that this product is sweetened with stevia instead of sugar, is low in calories, and is beneficial for blood sugar management, but they have raised their voices saying that these claims are questionable.

↑Pulses Stevia Coffee Mix Nutritional Information

The main ingredients of stevia coffee mix include alternative sweeteners such as PSS creamer, VioligoS, and polyclicitol syrup. These sweeteners may have more calories than sugar and may affect blood sugar levels. For example, starch syrup (alternative sugar) can increase blood sugar levels more than sugar, and polyclicitol can cause blood sugar levels to rise in some diabetic patients. The problem is that consumers do not know much about these ingredients.

The Consumer Sovereignty Citizens’ Association argues that companies that manufacture stevia coffee mix should clearly disclose the content and ratio of these ingredients and allow consumers to make choices based on accurate information.

In particular, Pulses Stevia Coffee Mix is ​​made up of hydrogenated cooking oil as its main ingredient, and hydrogenated cooking oil cannot produce ‘zero calories’ even if sugar is removed. Additionally, although erythritol (zero sweetener) does not affect blood sugar levels, other ingredients have the potential to raise blood sugar levels. The 7g of carbohydrates contained in 1 still is less than that of a regular coffee mix, but the weight of the stevia coffee mix is ​​20% less, so it only appears to have reduced calories. As a result, consumers purchase products with the expectation of reducing calories, but in reality, the effect may be due to weight reduction.

Stevia coffee mix contains slightly fewer carbohydrates than regular coffee mix, but in reality the difference is minimal. For example, regular coffee mix contains 9g of carbohydrates per stick, and stevia coffee mix contains 7g, but this is only a 20% weight reduction. In other words, the calorie reduction effect claimed by manufacturers comes from reducing the weight of the product, and does not mean that calories are drastically reduced due to special ingredients.

Although the price of stevia coffee mix is ​​35-50% more expensive than regular coffee mix, information about the product is not clearly provided. Consumers purchase ‘stevia coffee mix’ with the expectation of blood sugar management and diet effects, but in reality, the effect of these products on blood sugar may be similar to regular coffee. This confusion can be a big problem, especially for diabetic patients.

Consumers have the right to receive clear information about the products they choose. Major companies that manufacture stevia coffee mix must clearly indicate the ratio and content of alternative sugars contained in their products. Only then can consumers properly judge which product to choose for their health and blood sugar management.

Stevia coffee mixes sold overseas are generally low in price and contain only ingredients with excellent health benefits. For example, zero-calorie sweeteners such as erythritol and monk fruit are used to create a sweet taste without affecting blood sugar levels. However, the price is much cheaper than Korean products.

↑Stevia coffee mix US/Korea price comparison table (based on 100 units)

In comparison, although the stevia coffee mix sold domestically is excessively expensive, it does not guarantee quality and efficacy commensurate with the price. Experts point out that unnecessary ingredients should be removed and prices should be reduced so that consumers can make reasonable choices when considering price and efficacy. The conclusion is that improvements are needed for consumer choice, he added.

Stevia coffee mix is ​​recognized by consumers as a healthy, blood sugar-friendly beverage, but in reality, accurate ingredient information and pricing are lacking. Consumers should be aware of the fact that the benefits of ‘diet effect’ or ‘blood sugar management’ provided by these drinks may be exaggerated. Additionally, it is important for manufacturers to clearly label ingredients and content so that consumers can make the right choice, and to reduce the burden on consumers by reducing prices.

In the end, it was suggested that for the stevia coffee mix to truly be helpful to consumers, it should be improved to provide transparent information about the product’s ingredients and allow objective judgment on price and efficacy.