Stevia: Uses and benefits
Health Benefits of Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener that serves as a healthy replacement for refined sugar. Being accessible everywhere, especially at affordable prices, makes it easy to consume regularly and is now the preference of people making a shift to living a healthier lifestyle.
Beverages like tea and coffee being an inseparable part of our day help pep up our energy levels at specific times. Despite knowing better, we are highly accustomed to adding sugar.
When asked to reduce or cut out sugar, people often shift to jaggery assuming that it may be better. Unfortunately, jaggery having a high GI makes it rather unhealthy for diabetics.
We highly recommend stevia over any other artificial sweeteners making your daily beverages and other delicacies sweeter, while still maintaining your health.
Read through this blog to know more about Stevia.
What is Stevia?
Stevia being a plant extract (stevia rebaudiana) traces its origins to Brazil and Paraguay. Once extracted, it is further purified to remove bitter substances.
The “WHY” of Stevia
- Stevia being plant-based has zero calories with a sweet taste that is 50-350 times sweeter than sugar.
- The true beauty of stevia is it provides sweetness without the harmful side effects of raw sugar.
Benefits of Stevia Sweetner
The best part of stevia is sweetness without calories!
Stevia has the following remarkable benefits
- Reversal of metabolic syndrome:
is a strong antioxidant that helps lower blood sugar levels, blood pressure, high cholesterol. - Reversal of weight gain:
Since stevia does not spike the blood sugar there is no insulin secretion, keeping the body in a fat burning state. (Insulin causes the body to rely on ingested food rather than stored fat) - Quick sweet craving satiety:
Being times sweeter than sugar, even a drop of satiety leads to quick reduction in sweet craving
Ways to use stevia
- In beverages:
Add 2-3 drops to your beverage of choice. - Breakfast cereals:
Especially If you have been avoiding breakfast cereals because of fear of adding sugar. - Baking:
Make baking healthier with liberal addition of stevia. - Traditional sweets and recipes:
Bring your mithai’s to life!
Read more about Health Benefits of Mint Leaves, visit our blog.
FAQs
What is stevia?
Stevia is a natural plant-based sweetener extracted from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, known for its zero-calorie sweetness. Stevia is good for diabetic peoples.
Why is stevia a better alternative to sugar?
Stevia provides sweetness without calories or harmful side effects. It is 50-350 times sweeter than sugar and does not spike blood sugar levels.
Is stevia safe for diabetics?
Yes, because stevia has a zero glycemic index which is safe for people with diabetics. So diabetic peoples can use stevia in sweet dishes without affecting insulin secretion.
How does stevia help in managing weight?
Stevia doesn’t cause insulin secretion, keeping your body in a fat-burning state. This makes it a great choice for reversing weight gain.