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Entries from February 2009

Stevia Sweetener is the Natural Alternative to Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners

February 9th, 2009 · No Comments

Stevia sweetener has ended up in the spotlight recently because it is now widely accepted as the healthy alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. Among its appealing factors, stevia is 100% natural, contains zero calories and doesn’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels. Unlike sugar, which is known to cause tooth decay, stevia has even been found to help support healthy teeth and gums.

The sweetener is extracted from the stevia plant, which is related to lettuce and chicory.  There are different processing methods, so you will find stevia in powder and liquid form.  I have found that the liquid stevia sweetener not only tastes better, but people seem to receive more benefit from it.  This could be due to an extraction process that maintains the whole food structure of the stevia plant in liquid form, making it easier for the body to absorb the nutrients.

Stevia sweetener contains zero calories, which makes it appealing for anyone paying attention to their weight or the glycemic index.  Stevia sweetener has even been recommended for diabetics in many cases. This is because it does not affect blood glucose levels in the same way that sugar does.  Also, Stevia is several hundred times sweeter than sugar, which means that only a small amount needs to be used.  This is great news to those who want a healthy way to enhance the flavor of their foods and drinks. As stevia sweetener grows in popularity, so too does our understanding of new ways to utilize it.

Tags: Diet · Health Drinks · Low Carb Foods · Natural Weight Loss · Stevia Sweetener · Whole Foods