STEVIA Botanical: Stevia Rebaudiana
In the past few months, it's possible you've noticed a new addition in the sweetener aisle at your grocery or specialty store--stevia! If you haven't heard of it yet, stevia is a small, South American shrub that has been grown for centuries for it's naturally sweet taste, also known as "sweetleaf". Having up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar, stevia use is on the rise, particularly for use in low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternatives. It is an all-natural, no-carbohydrate, no-calorie food.
Traditionally, the Guaraní tribes of South America used stevia, which they called "sweet herb", as a sweetener in "yerba mate" and medicinal teas for treating heartburn and other ailments. Stevia has also been used in parts of Asia for many years. In fact, stevia now holds 40% of Japan's sweetener market.
Recent medical research has indicated that stevia may help treat obesity, hypertension, and high blood-pressure. With a glycemic index of zero, stevia has little to no effect on blood-sugar levels, so it's use in carbohydrate-controlled diets has proven particularly advantageous for those suffering from diabetes and hypoglycemia.
Stevia has also been proven to have the lowest effect on blood-acid levels of all types of sweeteners--the best option for preventing acidosis in the body--and therefore useful in the treatment of:
- Cardiovascular damage, including the constriction of blood vessels and the reduction of oxygen.
- Weight gain, obesity and diabetes.
- Bladder and kidney conditions, including kidney stones.
- Immune deficiency.
- Acceleration of free radical damage, possibly contributing to cancerous mutations.
- Hormone concerns.
- Premature aging.
- Osteoporosis; weak, brittle bones, hip fractures and bone spurs.
- Joint pain, aching muscles and lactic acid buildup.
- Low energy and chronic fatigue.
- Slow digestion and elimination.
- Yeast/fungal overgrowth.
Stevia is available in both liquid and powder forms, and is now stocked at most major retailers. It can also be grown in the home garden.
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