Non nutritive sweeteners are said to have little to no calories and is suggested as an alternative for sugar in meals and beverages. The plant is said to be beneficial as it’s an alternative for people with diabetes.
Stevia is said to be almost three hundred times sweeter than table sugar which is why it requires twenty percent of the land and far less water to provide the same amount of sweetness as other sweetness. The stevia plant can be grown at home or stevia products can be purchased as an alternative to sugar.
There is roughly a forty step process that gives the final stevia extract. There’s harvesting, drying, water extraction and purification involved.
Why is stevia a better alternative to sugar?
Stevia is said to be a “no-calorie” food, this is because it’s strictly less calorific than sucrose and is low enough to be considered the same.
Stevia’s natural sweetness is a better alternative for people looking to lose weight and control their diabetes.
The health benefits of stevia are as follows:
No effect on blood glucose or insulin response
According to research Stevia doesn’t affect blood glucose or insulin response. This helps people facing diabetic problems eat a large variety of food while complying with a healthy meal plan.
Another research concluded that stevia showed very minimal to no effect on blood glucose, insulin level, blood pressure and body widget
A research conducted for people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes reported that stevia triggered a reduction in the blood glucose and glucagon level after a meal.
Helps in controlling weight
The intake of sugar is said to contribute 16% of the total calories in an American diet. This is linked to weight gain and reduced control of blood glucose levels.
Stevia can help in reducing the energy intake in foods without compromising the taste.
Reduce risk of pancreatic cancer
Stevia contains antioxidants and sterols that includes kaempferol which is said to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by twenty three percent.
Helps in reduction of blood pressure.
In a study, stevia was seen as a potential help in reducing blood pressure. The plant is said to have cardiotonic actions. The cardiotonic actions are said to normalise blood pressure and regulate heartbeat. However, further research is needed to confirm if this is a true benefit of consuming stevia.
Healthy for children
Excessive sugars and calories can lead to obesity, which is why a recent increase in stevia containing products is seen beneficial especially in children’s diets.
The presence of stevia in various food items could mean that there’s a decrease in unwanted calories from sweeteners found in children’s food.
No allergic reactions or side effects.
Since the year 2008 there has been no recorded case of allergic reaction due to consumption of stevia. A 2010 review concluded that the Steviol glycosides are not reactive.
Various safety studies have said that stevia is free of side effects. Originally, people thought stevia posed a threat to kidney health. A study conducted in rats suggested that stevia may actually protect the kidneys and reduce the impact of diabetes.
Stevia is likely to be found in a powder or liquid form in supermarkets. It can be used as a substitute for baking and cooking. However, proper precautions and measurements are required when using stevia to cook.
