Information on the Sugar Substitute Nu Stevia

Produced from the leaves of the stevia rebaudiana plant, a South American shrub, the natural sweetener Stevia, produced by the company NuNaturals, is fast becoming a staple in American grocery stores and homes. The natural, calorie-free sweetener is up to 300 times stronger than regular table sugar, and therefore, can be used in much smaller amounts to sweeten food or drink.

Identification

• Originally only sold in supplement form because of its potency, since being deemed "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration, food manufacturers and soft-drink companies have been scrambling to add Stevia to their lineup of products (Environmental Nutrition 2009). Taste testers have also testified that Stevia has a much more pleasing taste and does not contain the bitter aftertaste of other sugar substitutes.

Benefits

• Research suggests that the benefits of using Stevia far outweigh the potential hazards. It has been proven, without debate, that white, refined sugars are detrimental to a healthy diet and to overall health and wellness. Sugar has also been linked to weight gain, adult Type II Diabetes, and tooth decay. In a recent article published by the health journal Prevention, a regular can of soda can contain up to 10 teaspoons of sugar and tip the scales at 150 calories for 12 ounces of beverage (Prevention 2009). In addition, it has been calculated that the average consumer, just by eliminating sugar in the form of soft drinks, can lose up to five pounds in one month (Prevention 2009). As if weight gain were not motivation enough to switch to calorie-free Stevia, simple sugars can also lead to potentially life-threatening conditions. Sugar, also found in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, has been linked to high blood pressure, elevated blood fats and insulin resistance. These triggers can lead to more serious health hazards like heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and strokes (Joe Weider's Muscle and Fitness 2009). Switching to a sugar alternative like Stevia may dramatically reduce not only your waistline, but also your chances of acquiring an irreversible condition as a result of over-consumption of sugar.

Types and Products

• Stevia can be purchased in both pure liquid and refined packets for easier consumption. Because of the popularity of the taste of Stevia (it has been tested by consumers who claim it does not have the bitter taste of sugar-alternatives containing aspartame), as well as the stamp of approval by the FDA, this product is being stocked not only in health and supplement stores like GNC, Vitamin World, and online suppliers, but it is now commonly stocked in the baking aisles of local grocery chains. In fact, Stevia's appeal as an all-natural, aspartame-free sugar-alternative has become increasingly popular, and can be found in everything from calorie-free flavored waters like SoBe's Lifewater, to individual packets. NuNaturals makes both a liquid form, and a convenient and popular packet form.

Expert Insight

• Because Stevia is a fairly new product, some health experts suggest that further and more stringent testing should be enforced in order to determine the long-term effects of the sugar substitute. However, with the existing guidelines for safe products and the testing of the natural ingredients by the Food and Drug Administration, health experts and industry leaders have been confidently promoting the use of Stevia products over other sugar-alternatives like Sucralose (Splenda), which is derived from sugar but processed with chlorinated chemicals (Today, MSNBC). Despite the cautious hesitation of health experts to fully endorse any product that has not passed the test of longevity, Stevia contains no artificial chemicals linked to the formation of cancer or other potentially harmful diseases. This, at least, places Stevia ahead of its competitors, and clearly makes it a diet-friendly and health-conscious choice over conventional sugar.

Warning

• As with the consumption of any product, moderation is the key. Many dietitians agree that it is not the type of products that we consume that makes us unhealthy, but rather, the amounts in which we indulge. Before introducing any new food or supplement to your daily intake, it would be wise to first consult a physician or registered dietitian who is aware of your specific needs and health history in order to ascertain whether this product is safe for you.