STEVIA

Stevia is a natural, non-calorie sweetener used as a substitute for sugar. It is derived from the leaves of the plant Stevia rebaudiana. It is 50-150 times the sweetness of table sugar. Stevia is generally recognised as safe (GRAS). And it is allowed to be added to food products but the leaves and the crude extract remain unsafe for consumption by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although, it was said to be used as a dietary supplement and processed foods and beverages due to lack of safety information.

Stevia plants at home uses the leaves to sweeten foods and beverages. It  is available in liquid, powder, and granulated forms

Uses

• It is used as a substitute for an artificial sweetener in food products and soft drinks

• It is used for table consumption in coffee, tea, cereal, smoothie, yoghurt etc. 

• Important in the social movement as people are moving towards natural foods.

Health Benefits

It controls the blood sugar level, stevia does not metabolize in the body due to its zero-calorie. Research has shown in 2010 that stevia significantly lowered insulin and glucose levels. Brands that contain dextrose or maltodextrin should be treated with caution for diabetic patients as they are glucose and starch.

Leaf powder may help manage cholesterol. A study found stevia lowered total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and triglycerides with no side effects. It also increased HDL ("good") cholesterol.

Anti-cancerous:  Study has shown that stevia help fights or prevent some types of cancer. Glycoside called stevioside found in stevia plants helps boost cancer cell death in a human breast cancer line. 

Other health benefits include anti-hypertensive, prevents dental carries and inhibit bacterial and fungal growth.

Brands

Brands of stevia that are found in supermarket and stores are DiabetaMil, No Calorie Stevia, Splenda and Sweet Addition Stevia.

Thanks for reading!

Ensure you like and comment, your feedback goes a long way.

Article By:

Abdulhameed Faizah

Food, Nutrients & Health

....................................................

Reference;

DOI: 10.3109/09637480903193049

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/stevia-side-effects ·

For other related articles, visit our blog;

www.thefoodlegends.blogspot.com