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Stevia & Nutrition

Cutting back on sugar can be a tough thing for a lot of people, and many rely on sugar substitutes to feed their sweet tooth. New sweeteners, based on an herb called stevia, are now on the market, giving sugar-avoiders more options than ever before.

  1. What is Stevia?

    • Stevia is an herb in the Chrysanthemum family, indigenous to Mexico, Central and South America. It is a sweet herb, significantly sweeter than sugar, yet has no calories and negligible effect on blood sugar.

    How is it Used?

    • When stevia is used as a dietary supplement, is often taken in capsule form. It is also sometimes combined with other sweeteners and marketed as a sugar substitute.

    Nutritional Properties

    • While crude stevia does have numerous phytochemicals, it is not consumed in amounts that would provide any benefits to most people. Stevia is calorie free, and there is some research that suggests beneficial properties such as the lowering of blood sugar.

    Controversy

    • In the early nineties, the FDA banned the import and sale of stevia due to concerns about its safety. In 1994 the FDA began to permit the sale of stevia as a dietary supplement, but not as a sweetener. An extract of stevia, known commercially as rebiana, has been approved for use as a sweetener.

    Where Can I Get Stevia?

    • Health food stores usually stock stevia, as do many online retailers. Some commercially sold artificial sweeteners contain stevia, and are being sold under the names "Truvia" and "Purevia". These brands can often be found in the artificial sweetener section of your local grocery store.

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