STEVIA HEALTH BENEFITS
Stevia is the name given to a green leafy herbal plant native to South America that has been utilised for hundreds of years due to its exceptionally sweet leaves. The primary chemicals responsible for its sweetness are steviol glycosides, primarily stevioside and rebaudioside. Stevia has recently gained popularity as a natural sweetener that is more than 40 times sweeter than sugar while having no effect on blood sugar levels. It also has no negative side effects on the body, unlike regular sugar, and is particularly beneficial to diabetics.
Types Of Stevia
Stevia comes in three varieties depending on the extent of processing.
Green Leaf Stevia: This is the least processed kind of stevia. It is 30-40 times sweeter than sugar and tastes slightly sour.
Altered Stevia This is a highly processed stevia product that contains GMO components. It is 200-400 times sweeter than sugar and therefore is frequently referred to as the “worst” version of stevia.
Stevia Extracts: Its extracts are 200 times sweeter than sugar and have a lower bitterness than green leaf stevia.
Nutritional Value
Stevia is mainly prized for its sweet flavour, which allows it to replace sugar in a diet. It also has an extremely low calorie count, placing it in the ‘no-calorie’ food group.
There hasn’t been enough study done on stevia’s nutritional benefits. Other than carbs and the mentioned steviol glycosides, its leaf is currently unclear to have any nutrients.
Benefits
Stevia’s health benefits include diabetic control, weight loss, skincare, and much more. Let’s take a closer look at some of its health advantages.
Diabetes Management
The capacity of stevia to control blood sugar levels in the body is its most highly commended element for human health issues. Because diabetics or people on carbohydrate-controlled diets may enjoy sweet dishes without worrying about diabetic problems, this is a suitable alternative for regular sugar.
Stevia has a glycemic load of zero. The glycemic index (GI) measures how much and how quickly a diet elevates a person’s blood sugar levels. Foods having a glycemic index of less than 50 are considered generally stable for diabetics. The bigger the result, the lower the value.
Weight Loss Management
Stevia may be low in calories and up to 300x sweeter than sugar, depending on the presence of certain extracts in the species variation. people can enjoy This means that stevia sweetener products with meals like cakes, cookies, and candies without worrying about gaining a lot of calories from sugars, which will not compromise their chances of effectively losing weight. This can also assist to reduce the amount of sugar in children’s diets.
Skin Care
Stevia can help with skin problems including eczema and dermatitis. Its topical use slows the spread of bacteria and serves as a steroid in these instances, making it a popular choice for many people who are unable to get relief from these diseases.
Osteoporosis
Unlike sugar, stevia may help to increase bone mineral density and cure osteoporosis. A research on animals demonstrates its significance in enhanced calcium metabolism. Researchers are investigating several applications for it in human health.
Dental Health
Stevia has been shown to decrease the formation of bacteria in the mouth, rendering it a common addition in toothpastes and mouthwashes. It may also help to prevent cavities and gingivitis, whereas sugar does not!
Cancer
Stevia’s high antioxidant content makes it an excellent dietary supplement for treating cancer, especially pancreatic cancer. Stevia’s quercetin, kaempferol, and other glycoside chemicals help in the elimination of free radicals in the body, preventing them from transforming healthy cells into cancer cells. Antioxidants also help in the prevention of premature ageing, cognitive dysfunction, and a variety of other diseases such as heart disease.
Cholesterol Level
According to research, consuming stevia results in a significant decrease in bad LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as an increase in HDL cholesterol levels, which is healthy cholesterol and is necessary for a positive lipid profile.
Blood Pressure
Stevioside is a type of glycoside, but there are other glycosides in stevia that can relax blood vessels, increase urination, and help in sodium elimination. This means that the cardiovascular system is under less stress, and blood pressure may fall, protecting heart health and preventing conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
Metabolism
According to the survey, stevia does not accumulate in the body during metabolism. Because of its low absorption in the digestive system, stevia contains no calories and does not raise blood sugar or insulin levels when processed. Stevia helps in the improvement of your digestive system.
- How To Use & Store
Stevia leaves, leaf powder, or liquid form can be used directly as a sugar substitute in a variety of foods:
Beverages – tea, coffee, etc.
Dairy products – ice cream, yogurt, etc.
Packed foods – sauces, pickles, candies etc.
Baked products – cakes, breads, dessert etc.
You can also use it to prepare a variety of dishes at home. However, it is important to evaluate the amount before using it as a sugar substitute because it is several times sweeter than sugar.
Take Away
Stevia is a delightful option for those who want to reduce their sugar intake while improving their health. Stop eating sugar and avoid those harmful artificial sweeteners. You’ll be happy you did.
If you’re looking for the greatest organic Stevia products, Nutrizo’s Sugar Fighter – largest stevia manufacturer in India. Your go-to source for Stevia-based products.
