Stevia Is The New Sugar

What is stevia?

Stevia (aka Stevia rebaudiana) is a natural sweetener and a part of the chrysanthemum plant family, which is a subgroup of the Asteraceae family (aka ragweed family). Stevia is home Brazil and Paraguay, and is also cultivated in two other Asian countries like China and Japan. People have utilized leaves from the stevia bush to sweeten foods for many years. here's a huge discrepancy between the stevia that you purchase from multiple food stores and the stevia that you harvest in your home.

Stevia products found in supermarkets, like Truvia and Stevia in the Raw, don't contain whole stevia leaf. They're produced from a highly refined stevia leaf called Reb-A (rebaudioside A).

The majority of stevia products contain a limited amount of stevia in them at all. Reb-A is about 200 times sweeter than traditional table sugar.

Sweeteners made with Reb-A are considered "unique sweeteners", because they are mixed with various sweeteners like erythritol (a sugar alcohol) and dextrose (glucose). Reb-A sweeteners come in liquid, granulated and powdered forms and can be used to sweeten both foods and beverages (e.g. juices and milkshakes).

Are there any health benefits of stevia consumption?

Yes, there are ample health benefits to consuming stevia! Stevia can support weight loss (whether you're following the keto diet or not!), helps to inhibit cancer, aids in managing metabolical disorders like diabetes, improves bone health, reduces risk of bone diseases lik osteoporosis, relaxes blood pressures, supports cognitive wellbeing (prevents premature aging and cognitive malfunction, protects heart health, improves skin health (treats eczema and dermatitis) and aids dental health (prevents cavities and gingivitis).

What about the health effects??!!

Although the side effects aren't fatal, they're still side effects that can disrupt your health. For some individuals, the intake of stevia can induce bloating, nausea, muscle aches and dizziness; but this is not the case for everyone who uses stevia. It can also decrease blood pressure, which can be worrisome for people who are taking medications for blood pressure. According to constant research and studies, it may cause genetic mutations and cancer. That being said, it's also possible to experience fewer side effects when ingested in moderation.

Some possible ways to use stevia

Asides from using stevia to sweeten beverages and other non-cooked foods like ice cream, stevia can also be used for baking pastries and making candy (e.g. fat bombs, lollipops, etc.). The things you can do with stevia are endless, so here are eight ways to use and enjoy stevia for those who want to add stevia to their diet.

1. Bake cookies, cakes, pie crusts, etc.

2. Make your own chocolate sauce for ice cream, cakes and other desserts that require or use syrups and sauces.

3. Make your own whipped cream

4. Use it in coffee or tea, in lieu of artificial sweeteners like Splenda

5. Use it in breakfast foods like porridge, pancakes, waffles, cereals, etc.

6. Make your own popsicles or ice cream bars

7. Make your own frosting for cake, cupcakes and other baked goods

8. Make your own no-bake desserts like milkshakes, mason jar ice cream, etc.

Bottom Line

According to recent research studies, artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose are no longer healthy or a wholesome alternative to sugar. In fact, artificial sweeteners may increase the chance of getting diseases like diabetes, obesity and glucose intolerance. Natural sources like Sweetleaf and Truvia are better options, than Stevia in the Raw. Growing and eating raw forms of stevia are also a perfect choice.

Stevia include antidiabetic properties, which makes it possible for it to control blood sugar levels and can be beneficial for maintaining sugar cravings. It contains little to zero calories, since it is a nonnutritive sweetener.

It's extremely versatile and can give "sugar lovers" a chance to enjoy their favourite sweet treats without the pang of compunction that you get after consuming refined sugary foods.