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Stevia,
formally known as
Stevia Rebaudiana or Stevia Rebaudiana
Bertoni, is one of the most health restoring herbs on the Earth. It is a
small green plant bearing leaves which have a delicious and refreshing natural
sweet taste that can be 10 to 15 times sweeter than common table sugar, Stevia is a
fairly unassuming perennial shrub of the aster family.
Asteraceae is native to the northern regions of South America. It has now been
grown commercially in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Central America, United States,
Israel, Thailand and China. Stevia leaves
contains several chemicals called glycosides, which taste sweet, but do not
provide calories. The major glycoside is called Stevioside.
The Stevioside that is extracted from the plant comes from the leaves of
Stevia. In
supplemental form stevioside comes as green or white powder, or brown liquid.
The sweetness of
Stevia leaves is largely due to its complex molecule called stevioside and
the second compound called Rebaudioside. A Stevia leaf has
a taste that is unique and very sweet with a slight licorice. The sweetness of Stevia leaves
is much different from the sweetness of other natural sweeteners, sugar, or
artificial sweeteners, but it is delicious.
"A plant with leaves so sweet that a part of one would sweeten a whole gourd
full of mate."
Stevia is used
widely as a sweetener, in place of artificial sweeteners like aspartame. It has
been used for thousands of years.
Stevia is about
300 times sweeter than sugar in its natural state, and much more so when
processed. Its medicinal uses include regulating blood sugar, preventing
hypertension, treatment of skin disorders, and prevention of tooth decay. Other
studies show that it is a natural antiviral agent and antibacterial as well. Stevia is
actually "good" for you, and above all it is calorie and carbohydrate free.
Stevia is a
great sweetener choice for diabetics, those watching their weight and want to
loose their weight, and anyone interested in the maintenance of their health.
Due to its almost zero calorie nature, Stevia is
extremely useful to
bodybuilders or obese persons that are attempting to lose
body fat. Because
Stevia is sweet, it reduces cravings for sugary foods. Stevia
essentially fools the body into a state of satiation. This will result in less
food being craved and thus consumed, and in the result reduces caloric intake. Stevia will
help with the reduction of cravings, and the suppression of the appetite,
without having to resort to products containing stimulants.
Typical proportions, on a dry weight basis, for the four major glycosides found
in the leaves of wild Stevia plants
is 0.3 % Dulcoside, 3.8 % Rebaudioside A, 0.6% Rebaudioside C and 9.1 %
stevioside.
Stevia has many
favorable and exciting health benefits and it is completely non-toxic. The Stevia herb is
nutrient rich, containing substantial amounts of Protein, Calcium, Phosphorous,
Sodium, Magnesium, Zinc, Rutin, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and other nutrients, yet
has no caloric value. Stevia has
proven beneficial for many when used as a dietary supplement. Studies have shown
the following benefits from using Stevia in one's
diet.
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Stevia is
Sugarless with no calories
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Stevia Will
not affect blood sugar levels like normal sugar does.
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Stevia is a
100% Natural Sweetener
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Stevia in the
form of pure extract, can be 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar
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Stevia
stable heat up to 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit)
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Stevia is
Non-fermentable
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Stevia is a
natural Flavor enhancer
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Stevia acts
as Plaque retardant Anti-caries and prevents cavities
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Stevia is
safely recommended for diabetics
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Stevia is
Non-toxic extensively tested and used by humans with no adverse effects.
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Stevia is not
toxic but, on the contrary, it is healthful, as shown by long experience and
according to the studies of Dr. Rebaudi.
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Stevia is a
sweetening agent of great power.
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The body obtains no calories from Stevia. The
human body does not metabolize the sweet glycosides they pass right through
the normal elimination channels, therefore the body obtains no calories
from Stevia,
and the body obtains no calories from Stevia is
safe for diabetics and hypoglycemic in its pure, unadulterated form.
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According to scientific research, Stevia may
actually lower blood sugar levels.
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Stevia can
enhance the effect of other sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup, so
adding it to recipes can help reduce the amount of sweetener needed.
Stevia has been
thoroughly tested around the world and found to be completely non-toxic. It has
also been consumed safely in massive quantities (thousands of tons annually) for
the past twenty years.
Stevia is also
able to perform a number of other beneficial tasks.
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Stevia may
enhance moods and increase energy levels and mental alertness.
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Stevia may
help individuals with diabetes, hypoglycemia, nicotine cravings, weight loss
and as a sugar substitute.
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Stevia is the
most desirable sweetener for people with blood sugar, blood pressure or weight
problems.
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Stevia is the
most desirable sweetener. is a helpful aid in
weight loss due to the fact that
it contains no sugar.
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Stevia has
excellent healing capabilities. If placed on a cut or scrape, it stings
initially followed by a significant reduction in pain and accelerated healing
with no scarring.
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Stevia
impedes the growth of bacteria.
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Stevia is a
natural herb against yeast known as Candadasis.
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Stevia may
also help reduce blood pressure
Although there is no evidence of harm to people, laboratory studies of
Stevia
have found potential cancer and reproductive health problems. Several studies
have also raised concerns about the effect of very large amounts of Stevia on
carbohydrate metabolism. And that troubles some toxicologist.
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