Stevia Sweetener Is A Natural Calorie Free Sugar Substitute


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	Stevia Sweetener Is A Natural Calorie Free Sugar Substitute Stevia sweetener is a natural artificial sweetener and sugar substitute that has no calories and can help regulate your blood sugar. It is 250 to 300 times sweeter than sugar, and is extracted from Stevia Rebaudiana, a plant native to Paraguay and Brazil. It has been used for hundreds of years as a digestive aid as well as a sweetener in these countries with no reports of ill effects. The leaves can be eaten fresh or added to foods and teas. Is Stevia Safe? The Food and Drug Administration approved Stevia for use as a sweetener in the USA in Dec 2008, stating that it poses no health threat when used in foods and beverages. Stevia does not have any of the side effects seen with artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and is therefore considered a relatively safe sugar substitute. It has no calories and a significantly slower onset and longer duration of action than sugar. Stevia is sold under the brand name of SweetLeaf in the USA as Stevia liquid, Stevia extract tablets, flavored liquids and stevia powder. In recent times Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have commenced production of their own versions of Stevia, called Truvia and Pure Via and intend to use these products in their beverages. Benefits of Using A Stevia Sweetener Clinical studies have shown that it can increase glucose tolerance and decrease blood sugar levels and may be an ideal sweetener for diabetics. Has shown positive effects in treating obesity and high blood pressure. It is a natural product and not artificially synthesised, and is 250 - 300 times sweeter than sugar, so very small quantities are required. Suitable for use in cooking and baking, as it is heat stable up to 200 degrees celcius. Destroys bacteria that cause tooth decay. Forms Of Stevia Fresh, dried and ground leaves. The leaves contain the sweet glycosides Stevioside and Rebaudioside A, and are used in brewing teas and for cooking, but do not dissolve. Liquid extracts. These are dissolved in water, alcohol or glycerin. Powdered extracts. These are processed from the leaves by extracting the sweet glycosides and removing the unwanted plant matter. The quality of this white powder depends on the purity of the glycosides and ratio of Rebaudioside A over Stevioside. The purer the glycoside (80-95%), and higher the ratio, the better the product, and less of an aftertaste. Given the health benefits, stevia sweetener is a good alternative to sugar and will go a long way to help you cut back unwanted calories. To Top of Page Return to Healthy Foods from Stevia Sweetener Return to Healthy Eating	Best Selling Book Now Available!
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