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More About Stevia
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The following is some additional information about Stevia. If you want more in depth information click here for a list of of some good books on the subject. Stevia is a small perennial shrub that belongs to the Chrysanthemum family of plants and is native to Paraguay.
Stevia may well be the most remarkable sweetener in the world. The following are some of the characteristics of Stevia:
Here is a list of some of the possible medicinal uses: Diabetes, Obesity, Hyperactivity, High blood pressure, Carbohydrate cravings, Tobacco and alcohol cravings, Hypoglycemia, Indigestion, Yeast infections, Skin toning and Healing. Stevia makes up around 40% of Japans sweetener market and consumption. It is also used in many other parts of the world. ? If Stevia is so great why don't more people know about it or, how come it is not used as a sweetener in food products. (Think of how it would revolutionize our national sweetener problems, on health that is.) Good question. During the 80`s Stevia enjoyed popularity as a natural sweetener in a variety of products. In 1986 the FDA(United States Food and Drug Administration) abruptly seized Stevia inventories and in 1991 claimed it was not suitable as a food additive and it was banned. You see Stevia is natural and therefore unpatentable and a major threat to the then monopolizing and controversial ASPARTAME (artificial sweetener) As a result of the 1995 Health Freedom Act Stevia was approved for the use as a supplement and all labeling must state that. This is why if you try to find Stevia in your local health food store it will be in the supplement section not the sweetener section.( that is... if the store carries it.) |
Stevia has a inordinate ability to sweeten. Stevia in it's natural herb
form is approximately 10 to 15 times sweeter
than common table sugar. Its common form a white powder extracted from the leaves of
the plant is rated at 70 to 400 times sweeter than sugar.
Stevia has also been
known to posses some medicinal properties and was used by Indians for medicinal purposes
for hundreds of years.| stevia, stevia rebaudiana, sweeteners, sugar
substitute, sweet herb, honey leaf, food additive, natural sweetener, herbs, herbal
sweetener, steviosides, alternative medicine, natural, diabetes, carbohydrates,cravings |
