Stevia has become very popular over the last couple of years due to its sweet taste without calories or sugar. What exactly is stevia? How does it compare to other natural sweeteners? Is it safe to consume? The sweetener stevia was originally discovered in South America and later introduced into Japan around 1900. In recent times, stevia has gained popularity because it contains no calories or sugar. This makes it suitable for diabetics and those who want to reduce their intake of refined sugars.
Stevia’s chemical composition consists mainly of glycosides called steviol glycosides. These compounds are responsible for the sweet taste of stevia. They also contain some minerals such as potassium, magnesium, sodium, and phosphorus. Stevia is good for diabetic patients because it has a natural sweetener made from the leaves of the stevia plant. It also has health benefits including weight loss, diabetes control, and improved digestion. Here are some facts about stevia.
Facts About Stevia
- Stevia Is Safe
Stevia is safe when used according to label directions. There have been no single reports of adverse effects from consuming stevia products.
- Stevia Helps in Weight Loss
Studies suggest that stevia may help promote weight loss. One study found that overweight adults who consumed stevia experienced significant reductions in body fat after 12 weeks compared to placebo. Another study found that obese women who consumed stevia lost significantly more weight than those who did not consume stevia.
- Stevia May Help Control Diabetes
Diabetes patients who were randomly assigned to drink stevia showed improvements in blood glucose levels compared to those who drank water.
- Stevia Improves Digestion
In a small clinical trial, participants reported fewer digestive problems and increased energy after drinking stevia.
- Stevia Is Non-GMO
Stevia is derived from the steviol glycoside fraction of the stevia leaf. Because it does not contain gluten, soy, dairy, egg, yeast, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, or GMOs, it is non-GMO certified.
- Stevia Has Zero Calories
Stevia contains zero calories per serving. It doesn’t raise insulin levels or cause spikes in blood sugar. It dissolves easily in hot liquids and mixes well with milk, yogurt, ice cream, coffee, tea, and chocolate.
- Stevia Can Be Used with Other Sweeteners
You can combine stevia with other sweeteners to make delicious recipes. For example, you can replace half of the granulated white sugar in a recipe with stevia and still achieve the same sweetness.
Health Benefits of Stevia
- Weight Loss – Stevia is a safe alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. It doesn’t cause blood glucose spikes as high fructose corn syrup does. It also provides a low glycemic index, meaning it won’t raise your blood sugar levels as much as regular sugar.
- Diabetes Prevention – Stevia may prevent diabetes due to its ability to reduce insulin resistance.
- Heart Disease – Stevia is a natural antioxidant that reduces cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Cancer – Stevia may inhibit cancer growth.
- Oral Care – Stevia is antibacterial and antifungal. It can be added to toothpaste and mouthwash to fight bad breath and gum disease.
- Skin Care – Stevia is anti-inflammatory and moisturizes the skin. It can be used in lotions and creams to treat dry skin.
- Hair Care – Stevia is effective when used in shampoos and conditioners. It can also be applied directly to hair to give it a shine.
- Energy – Stevia boosts energy levels and improves mood. Stevia can be used as a coffee substitute.
- Teeth Whitening – Stevia whitens teeth naturally. It can be mixed with water and brushed onto teeth to make them look brighter.
- Taste Bud Tolerance – Stevia is non-caloric and tasteless so it doesn’t interfere with taste buds.
- Pregnancy – Stevia is safe during pregnancy. It can be consumed by pregnant women to curb cravings and maintain weight loss.
- Infant Formula – Stevia is safe for babies and toddlers. It can replace sugar in baby formula.
- Pets – Stevia is safe to feed to pets. It can be used to sweeten treats for dogs and cats.
