HEALTH

HEALTH BENEFITS OF STEVIA

As an alternative to sucrose, or table sugar, using stevia as a sweetener carries the potential for considerable health benefits. Stevia is considered “no-calorie” on the FoodData Central (FDC). Stevia does not strictly contain zero calories, but it is significantly less calorific than sucrose and low enough to be classified as such.

The sweet-tasting components in stevia sweeteners occur naturally. This characteristic may benefit people who prefer naturally-sourced foods and beverages. Here are some of the possible health benefits of stevia.

(Stevia)

DIABETES

Research has shown that stevia sweeteners do not contribute calories or carbohydrates to the diet. They have also demonstrated no effect on blood glucose or insulin response. This allows people with diabetes to eat a wider variety of foods and comply with a healthful meal plan. The study concluded that stevia showed minimal to no effects on blood glucose, insulin levels, blood pressure, and body weight.

WEIGHT CONTROL

There are many causes of overweight and obesity, such as physical inactivity and increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and added sugars.The intake of added sugars has been shown to contribute an average of 16 percent of the total calories in the American diet. This has been linked to weight gain and reduced control of blood glucose levels.Stevia contains no sugar and very few, if any, calories. It can be part of a well-balanced diet to help reduce energy intake without sacrificing taste.

 CHILDREN'S DIET

Foods and beverages containing stevia can play an important role in decreasing calories from unwanted sweeteners in the diets of children.There are now thousands of products on the market containing naturally-sourced stevia, ranging from salad dressings to snack bars.This availability allows children to consume sweet foods and drinks without the added calories while transitioning to a lower sugar diet.Excessive sugars and calories are linked to obesity and cardiovascular disease.