Stevia has long been touted as a sweetener, but the thorough review concerning its safety has been completed only recently. Long years of extensive research have come to the conclusion that it is completely devoid of undesirable effects on the human body. In fact, more recent studies have found out that it displays the potential to aid against a list of common illnesses, such as diabetes and hypertension.

Produces Sweetening Effects

There are now a number of beverages that boast their zero-calorie sweetener, which is derived from stevia. Steviol glycosides, rebaudioside A in particular, are up to 450 times sweeter than sugar, but do not contain the calories of glucose, sucrose, or fructose. Plus, like most sources of sugar, it is naturally occurring in nature, to be specific in a group of herbs of the same name native to Central and South America. Apart from the superior sweetening effects that it produces, there hasn’t been any mention of stevia bringing on any negative effects on human health. On the other hand, fructose, the main sweetener added to soft drinks and other beverages, has been associated with cancer as well as medical signs leading to diabetes.

Shows pH-stable Properties

Among all alternatives to sugar, research on stevia is the most advanced, spanning over 5 decades. It has long been approved in many countries, even endorsed as the healthiest of all sweeteners, including sucrose, the table sugar. The reason for its wide use is attributable to its ability to remain unchanged in environments with different chemical properties, inasmuch as it is pH-stable. In addition, it does not respond to heat and fermentation. There is scientific consensus on its general safety. In the US, it has been granted the status GRAS, or Generally Accepted As Safe, marking an undeniable rise in its utilization in food and drug industries and its consequent consumption by the general populace.

Affects Glycemic Responses

Stevia is especially beneficial to diabetics. It is not only safe as a sweetener, but also counters most cases of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes results from very high levels of blood glucose and brings on many complications. Lifestyle is a major risk factor, with individuals consuming high amounts of sugars being more prone to the disease. When stevia enters the circulatory system after passing the intestinal walls, it has been observed to have a negligible effect on sugar present in the blood. Furthermore, there have been mentions of its ability to enhance uptake of glucose and improve resistance to insulin, and clinical trials to support this are well underway.

Today stevia is fast becoming a popular alternative to saccharides that have been used as sweeteners for centuries as the latter group has often been tied to obesity and related medical conditions. It is particularly appealing to individuals on carbohydrate-controlled diets. Also, scientific circles from all over the world have advocated its use as part of lifestyle modifications imperative for diabetics.

Look for Stevia at you your local or internet vitamin store. Always choose name brands like Kal to ensure purity and quality of what you buy as a sugar replacement.

Author Bio: If you need a calorie and carb free sweetener, give Natural Healthy Stevia a try risk free at VitaNet ®, LLC Vitamin Store. http://vitamins.vitanetonline.com/

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Vitamins, Healthy Sweetener, Stevia, Natural Sweetener, Diabetic Safe Sweetener