Stevia - All Natural Zero Calorie Sweetener

Stevia - The new zero calorie sweetener

One of the things I want is to have a healthy life.

Of course we all know that sugar is not good for you regardless of how yummy it tastes.

And all the artificial sweeteners have had enough bad publicity to give a person nightmares'.

So...what's a sweetaholic to do? Search for alternatives, that's what! I figure the less you mess with Mother Nature the better off you are. After all she's been around a lot longer than the FDA and most all the chemical companies that have worked and lobbied to get their sweeteners approved.

In South America there grows a plant called Stevia (short for Stevia rebuadiana Bertoni). In addition to the leaves being extremely sweet, there have been many health benefits attributed to it suggesting that stevia may help fight infections and also to help stabilize blood sugar levels. It is also considered safe for diabetics and does not affect the glycemic index.

I personally have tried the little tablets and the drops and they are wonderfully sweet with no aftertaste. I also have on order some live plants and some dried leaves.

Stevia has been widely used as a sweetener without any reported adverse reactions by a large portion (actually around 40% or so) of the population of many countries around the world.

As a matter of fact here in the United States Stevia, was gaining in popularity until the late 1980s. At that time the FDA began removing Stevia from manufacturers without explanation, and in 1990 Food Processing Magazine had an insert about Stevia alleging most all the major food manufacturers were showing an interest in using Stevia in their products.

However, in 1991, rumor has it that the FDA banned the importation of Stevia intended for use in food products. This ban was said to be at the request (?) of a large company that produces a very toxic artificial sweetener. I'm not naming names, but you know who you are.

At this time Stevia can only be sold as a dietary supplement.