Chances are, you know very little about Stevia or haven’t heard of it at all because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and companies with underlying interests have been working hard to keep this natural sweetener off the radar and away from American consumers, including diabetics who have been searching for natural alternatives to satisfy their sweet tooth.
Stevia is derived from the sweet leaf plant native to South America and is an excellent substitute for sugar. I personally use Stevia and find it to taste better than other sweeteners, which are basically toxic poisons that are detrimental to your health.
The reasons why it tastes so good is because the Stevia leaves contain two "glycoside" molecules, steioside and rebaudioside, which are 300 times sweeter than table sugar. This allows people to still enjoy sweets without compromising their health by using poisonous substitutes.
The leaves can be used whole or in ground form in food and beverages. More typically, the sweet glycosides themselves are extracted from the plant material and sold as a processed powder or concentrated liquid. Stevia's taste is on par with other sugar substitutes -- sweet with a mild aftertaste that can be masked by blending with other sweet ingredients.
Stevia has been used as a sweetener in Paraguay and other South American countries for over 1,500 years. In Japan, 40% of the sweetener market is estimated to be stevia-based and is also very popular in Asia and Australia. Some commercial beverages in this country, too, are using Stevia, such as SoBe, Lifewater, and Vitaminwater Zero. The Japanese have been conducting extensive research on Stevia since the 1970’s and have found it to be completely safe.
Besides tasting good, Stevia has no calories, a zero glycemic index (it has no carbs), no artificial ingredients, and no effect on blood sugar. Perfect for diabetics and people who are health conscious. It's a great and safe way to satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your health and blood sugar levels.
Angelo John Gage | Elite.
