Stevia is a sweet extract from the stevia rebaudiana herb, nearly 300 times sweeter than sugar, used primarily in South America, Japan and slowly becoming more popular in the US. Stevia has been tied to weight loss and lowering uric acid levels, as well as presents itself useful in diabetes, high blood pressure and heartburn treatment.
Extracted from the stevia leaves, the rebaudioside crystals, also termed rebaudioside A, or rebiana, exist as a great alternative to man-made artificial sweeteners. For sweetness, stevia can be used in coffees, teas, baking, and has been used for diabetes treatment in Japan.
In addition to this sweet ingredient, stevia, like all plants, contains a number of non-active compounds that add to the health benefits with few side effects, so it’s important to be educated when purchasing stevia. Refining and manufacturing any plant or herb into a marketable product could negatively affect its natural health uses. Continue reading “Stevia… Some Sweet News”
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