What is stevia?
Stevia is a semi-tropical flowering perennial whose scientific name is Stevia rebaudiana. It is also known as sweet herb because it is 200 times sweeter than normal sugar. You can consume stevia by putting in your beverages. The stevia plant contains antioxidants, germicides, and it is a diuretic.
Urine, vasodilator, general tonic for the body, strengthens the heart. In addition it has wound-healing properties. It is a strong ally in the fight against obesity and diabetes.
Stevia is a natural sweetener and can be part of a healthy diet or lifestyle, because it is devoid of calories and carbohydrates, which does not affect blood sugar levels.
Who can consume stevia?
Although many people consider stevia to be safe, some study suggests that this zero-calorie sweetener may have varied effects on different people. Various groups may need to be extra cautious about their intake due to health issues or age.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, stevia may be beneficial, but be cautious about whatever variety you choose. According to several studies, stevia may be a safe and efficient strategy to help persons with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.
Indeed, a short study of 12 patients with this condition found that eating this sweetener with a meal resulted in larger blood sugar reductions than a control group given the same amount of corn starch.
In a similar study, stevia extract reduced blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C — a sign of long-term blood sugar control — by over 5% in diabetic rats compared to rats fed a control diet over an 8-week period.
Keep in mind that certain stevia blends may contain additional sugars, such as dextrose and maltodextrin, which can raise blood sugar levels.
If you have diabetes, using these products in moderation or opting for pure stevia extract can help you maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Pregnancy
There is little evidence that stevia is safe to use during pregnancy. However, animal studies suggest that when used in moderation, this sweetener — in the form of steviol glycosides like Reb A — has no deleterious influence on fertility or pregnancy outcomes.
Steviol glycosides are also considered safe for humans, even during pregnancy, by a number of regulatory organizations. Still, there is a scarcity of studies on whole-leaf stevia and raw extracts.
As a result, instead of whole-leaf or raw goods, it’s better to adhere to FDA-approved steviol glycosides-containing products during pregnancy.
Children
Stevia can help people consume less added sugar, which is especially advantageous for youngsters.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), consuming more added sugar raises the risk of heart disease in children by affecting triglyceride and cholesterol levels and contributing to weight gain. By substituting stevia for additional sugar, these hazards could be reduced.
The FDA has approved steviol glycosides like Reb A. It’s especially vital to keep an eye on kids’ consumption.
This is because it is considerably simpler for youngsters to achieve the daily stevia limit, which is 1.8 mg per pound of body weight (4 mg per kg) for adults and children alike. Limiting your child’s intake of stevia and other sweets, such as sugar, can assist to avoid negative side effects and promote overall health.
Anyone can consume stevia without worrying about any health issue. But still if you have any doubt or fear then you can consult doctor before using stevia. Just keep in mind that we should use anything within a limit.