2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Stevia comes from the plant Stevia rebaudiana, which is from the chrysanthemum family, subgroup Asteraceae. There is a big difference between stevia, which you buy in a grocery store, and steviawhich you can grow at home.
Stevia products on the shelves of the grocery store do not contain the entire leaf of the plant. They are made from a highly refined extract of its leaves called reb-audioside A (Reb-A). In fact, few stevia products contain it completely and naturally. Reb-A extract is about 200 times sweeter.
It is one of the "new sweeteners", as they are called, such as erythritol (sugar alcohol) and dextrose (glucose).
You can grow the stevia plant at home and use the leaves to sweeten foods and drinks. Sweeteners with Reb-A extract are available in liquid, powder and granular forms. This article highlights the qualities of Reb-A products.
Are there any benefits to using stevia?
Stevia is a sweetenerwhich contains almost no calories. If you are trying to lose weight, this important detail can be attractive. So far, however, research is inconclusive because the impact of non-food sweeteners on a person's health may depend on the amount consumed as well as the day it is consumed.
If you have diabetes, stevia can help you control your blood sugar levels. A study of 19 healthy, lean participants and 12 obese participants in 2010 found that it significantly lowered insulin and glucose levels. In addition, study participants were satisfied and wholesome after meals, despite lower calorie intake. However, one of the noted limitations in this study is that it is performed in a laboratory environment and not in a real situation in the natural environment of man.
And according to a 2009 study, stevia leaves can help control cholesterol. Study participants consumed 400 milliliters of extract from stevia daily for one month. The study found that stevia lowers total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides without negative side effects. It also increases HDL ("good") cholesterol. It is not yet clear whether accidentally stevia in smaller quantities would have the same effect.
Does it cause side effects?
After research stevia extract Reb-A is generally recognized as safe. But because there is a lack of information and research on the safety of raw stevia, there are concerns that the natural herb could harm the kidneys, reproductive system and cardiovascular system. It can also lower blood pressure too low or interact with drugs that lower blood sugar.
Although stevia is considered safe and beneficial for people with diabetes, brands that contain dextrose or maltodextrin should be taken with caution. Dextrose is glucose and maltodextrin is starch. These ingredients provide the body with small amounts of carbohydrates and calories. Sugar alcohols can also slightly increase the number of carbohydrates. If you use stevia from time to time, it will not seriously affect blood sugar, but if you use it throughout the day, carbohydrates will quickly accumulate.
As with most natural sweeteners, the main drawback is the taste. Stevia has a slightly bitter taste. Some people enjoy it, but for others it is a good reason not to accept it.
In some people, stevia products made with sugar alcohols can cause digestive problems, such as bloating and diarrhea.
Is it safe to take during pregnancy?
Stevia made with Reb-A is safe to use sparingly during pregnancy. If you are sensitive to sugar alcohols, choose a brand that does not contain erythritol.
Whole leaf, raw stevia extract, including stevia that you have grown at home - are not safe to use during pregnancy.
It may seem strange that a highly refined product is considered safer than a natural product, but in this case it has been proven.
Stevia and cancer?
There are some studies that suggest that stevia may help fight or prevent certain cancers.
According to a 2012 study, a glycoside called stevioside, found in the stevia plant, helps stimulate the death of cancer cells in breast cancer. Stevioside may also help reduce some of the mitochondrial pathways that help with cancer.
Stevia as a sugar substitute
May use stevia instead of sugar in your favorite foods and drinks. A pinch of stevia powder is equal to about 1 teaspoon of sugar.
Delicious ways to use stevia include:
• in coffee or tea;
• in homemade lemonade;
• sprinkled on hot or cold cereal;
• in trouble;
• in unsweetened yogurt.
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