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Make Life Sweeter With Stevia
Stevia is an incredibly sweet herb native to Paraguay. South Americans
have used it as a sweetener, digestive aid, and topical ointment for
treating wounds for 1500 years.
In China, it has been used in Stevia
tea and it’s extracts have been used as tonics to treat all
sorts of maladies. Stevia is nutrient rich, 200 – 300 times
sweeter than table sugar, 100% natural, an antibiotic, plaque retardant,
cavity fighter, and able to be used by diabetics and hypoglycemic.
Other artificial sweeteners have made similar claims, but have been
found to be carcinogens or to have an adverse, unsafe effect on body
systems. What are the dangers of Stevia? There is a long list of positives
for the use of Stevia, but it is very important to learn what you
can to determine if it is right for you.
A little about Stevia
Stevia plants have been in long use in South America. For 1500 years,
it has been used as an additive in foods and beverages to increase
sweetness and nutritional value. It has also been used as a topical
application to help heal wounds. It has even been used as a mouthwash
to protect teeth and fight oral infections. Stevia is an herb that
is now grown commercially in South America, China, India, Korea, and
Japan. Steviosides and Rebaudiosides are the compounds found in Stevia
that gives it a sweet taste. The body does not metabolize them, so
there are no calories associated with Stevia. This also makes Stevia
an excellent substitute for table sugar for use by diabetics and hypoglycemic.
India in recent years has experienced a huge increase in sufferers
of diabetes and Stevia has become a cash crop as a sugar substitute.
The Benefits of Stevia
The benefits are abundant, including:
- Contains protein, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, magnesium, zinc,
rutin, vitamins A & C, and 100+ phytonutrients
- No sugar
- Lowers blood pressure
- No calories
- Replacement for sugar
- Hunger suppressant.
- Reduces the desire for tobacco and alcohol
- Stabilizes blood sugar levels
- Provides consistent energy, no peaks and crashes
- Slows the accumulation of plaque on the teeth
- Suppresses bacterial growth that causes cavities
- Antibiotic
- Tightens skin
- Heals skin blemishes like acne, seborrhea, dermatitis, and
eczema
- 200 – 300 times sweeter than sugar, 1teaspoon = 1cup
of table sugar.
All of these benefits can easily be obtained through using Stevia
in a variety of forms.
Stevia Extract Powder
white powder made by extracting glycosides from the Stevia plant.
Used for most recipes, the purest form of Stevia, and safe to be used
by diabetics and hypoglycemic. 1 teaspoon = 1 cup table sugar.
Green Stevia Powder
fine green powder made by grinding dried Stevia leaves. Not as pure
as the extract powder, used in beverages, on fruits, and in some pies.
3 : 4 teaspoons = 1 cup table sugar.
Liquid Stevia Extract
may have an alcohol or water base. Great for sweetening beverages.
Whole Leaves
used to make Stevia tea by being added to boiling water. Can also
be ground to make Green Stevia powder. The leaves are also compressed
into tablet form to be taken as a supplement.
These extracts can be used as dietary supplements, stevia sweeteners,
skin treatments, and herbal medicines.
Stevia can be applied directly to foods and beverages. A Stevia recipe
is not limited to cold drinks and uncooked food. Unlike most artificial
sweeteners, heat does not break down Stevia. Cooking with Stevia is
an advantage over other sweeteners.
Continue to : Some Stevia Recipes
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