Stevia is a plant that is used as a natural sweetener.
Stevia is the common name for the Stevia rebaudiana plant and the sweetener made from its leaves. It is also known as stevia . Neither of the two terms, however, is part of the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE).
Characteristics of stevia
Stevia, which is included in the Asteraceae group, is a species native to South America that grows and is cultivated in areas of Paraguay , Argentina and Brazil , although it can also be found in other countries. It is a shrub with toothed leaves and whitish flowers.
Extracts from the leaves of this plant have been used as a natural sweetener for several centuries. Many people prefer to use stevia instead of traditional sugar due to its reduced calorie content .
Because its components are much sweeter than sucrose , a small amount of stevia is enough to sweeten any infusion or preparation. Thus, stevia may be appropriate for those who maintain a low-calorie diet .
In the United States
In the United States , the use of stevia as a sweetener is not approved, although its use as a dietary supplement is. It is important to mention this, since according to the authorities of said nation, the reason behind such a decision is that there are not enough studies to guarantee the safety of its consumption.
In any case, the consumption of stevia as a sweetener is widespread in numerous regions since it is supported by organizations and institutions based on different research. What science has not been able to demonstrate with certainty is that stevia is useful for reducing blood pressure, minimizing cardiac risks and treating heartburn , among other benefits that are often attributed to it.
In summary, there is no concrete evidence that can postulate stevia as a dangerous food for our health. In fact, it is consumed by people of all ages and with various health conditions; From children to the elderly, including pregnant women, they benefit daily from the properties of this plant. Note that it does not cause allergic reactions either.
Benefits
The benefits of stevia include its vasodilatory, antibacterial, immunomodulatory and diuretic action, in addition to zero calorie intake. Although we have said that science does not yet support these and other properties of the plant, thousands of people claim to take advantage of them in their diet with very positive results for their health . Diabetes is one of the diseases whose treatment can be positively complemented by the consumption of stevia, since it offers a sweet taste without altering glucose (blood sugar ) levels.
With stevia you can prepare sugar-free desserts.
For the difficult battle against obesity , stevia is also beneficial, precisely because it does not provide calories but does satisfy the need to consume sweet foods. According to some studies, this plant promotes a favorable glucose and glucagon response (a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates glucose levels); This serves to improve the functioning of carbohydrate metabolism . Stevia is also used to treat childhood obesity, since children tend to feel a special attraction to sweets.
Another benefit of stevia is that it helps dilate blood vessels and increases diuresis , thereby lowering blood pressure . Oral hygiene also improves with the consumption of this plant, since it fights dental plaque and the proliferation of bacteria that cause cavities , in addition to treating mouth ulcers and gingivitis . Traditional Chinese medicine , for its part, approves the use of stevia to treat certain fungal conditions, such as candidiasis .