Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is also known as Sweet leaf, Sugarleaf and just plain Stevia. It is a herb that belongs to the sunflower family (Asteraceae), native to subtropical and tropical regions from western North America to South America, although it is now grown throughout the world in such places as Japan, Korea, China or India.
Paraguay is the most famous country for the origins of Stevia, where the Guarani Indians have used it for over 1500 years to sweeten their mate tea.
As Stevia is 100% Natural, has Zero Calories, a Low Glycemic Index and is 200-400 times sweeter than sugar when refined. I can be very useful in replacing sugar in diets.
It has also reportable minimised hunger sensations, cravings for sweets and fatty foods. With Diabetes rising amongst the population, Stevia can be useful for those Diabetics with a sweet tooth.
The World Health Organisation forecast of over 300 million people will have Diabetes by 2025! It is also well known that medicine treatments for Diabetes have not changed greatly since the first insulin injections back in 1921.
A change of habits and lifestyle can help modify patients' quality of life by taking physical exercise and eating a healthy diet. It is incredibly hard for people who crave sugar to give up that craving, but with Stevia it is possible to have sweetness in your diet without worrying about the dangers of sugar and saccharine.
Tests conclude that Stevia has got anti-acid, antibacterial, anti-diabetic, cardiotonic, digestive, diuretic, sweetening, hypoglycaemic, hypo-tensing, metabolic enhancing and vasodilating properties.
Beneficial effects in fat absorption and blood pressure have also been proven.
Why risk the dangers of sugar and other possibly carcinogenic sweeteners when the Guarani Indians of Paraguay have known that Stevia is the perfect Natural herb to sweeten foods and drinks!
