Stevia – The Sweetener Plant

Try Stevia Starting Tomorrow

Next time you want something sweet, try using the Stevia leaves as a sweetener in your drinks or in your baking. Since stevia is a natural plant, your body will be able to absorb it better and it has no caloric value. You can purchase it in leaf form like a tea at Boston Harbor Teas.

Issues Surrounding Sugar

Refined sugar consumption is on the rise in the United States. Because sugar displaces nutritive calories, it leads to many of our health problems today like obesity. Therefore, many of our ailments stem from the use of too much sugar which on the average is a staggering 150 pounds per person per year!

Plants – Easy to Absorb

Therefore, as a plant, you may want to grow your own. The plants are available in the springtime as are many other herbs from your local nurseries. The whole leaf products contain all the health benefits of the herb used for centuries by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay.  It is commonly known in South America as yerba dulce meaning ‘sweet herb’.

Here are some interesting facts about Stevia:

• The sweet taste in stevia comes from glycoside molecules that have zero calories.
• Consequently, there are no carbohydrates so it doesn’t cause cravings like sugar.
• The sweetness of stevia leaves and pure extracts varies from sourse to source and among the different brands.
• The genetics of the plant, cultivation, and processing all influence the stevioside content.
• Surprisingly, there is no known toxicity associated with stevia herb or stevioside extracts.
• Extensive safety and toxicity testing have been performed. Therefore, Stevia has always been shown to be safe.
• Unfortunately, Stevia has a bitter component that can be reduced by proper cultivation and processing.
• Some white powered stevia extracts on the market today contain a filler made of either maltodextrin or fructooligo-saccharides.
• Stevia is not a source of nutrition for bacteria in the mouth or candida yeast in the colon (as is sugar).
• Stevia is said to aid people with diabetes or hypoglycemia.
• Research has shown that a whole-leaf concentrate has a regulating effect on the pancreas and helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
• Other uses of the herb include lowering elevated blood pressure, aiding digestion by reducing gas and stomach acidity, relieving nausea, and helping to reduce obesity.
• Fortunately, it has been known to increase energy levels and mental acuity.
• Many people have reported improvement in their oral health after using stevia concentrate in their toothpaste.
• Also using it diluted in water as a daily mouthwash benefits your oral hygene.
• And lastly, Stevia is useful in healing a number of skin ailments.