The problem of combating excess weight worries many people around the world and is moving from the category of an aesthetic defect to a serious disease requiring medical intervention. One of the means of dealing with the unfortunate kilograms is the use of the drug "Stevia" instead of regular sugar.

Why is sugar bad and how can it be replaced?

Scientists agree that sugar can destroy the human body and causes many dangerous diseases, including diabetes, metabolic disorders and, as a result, obesity. The average daily intake of sugar per person is no more than 50 grams, taking into account all sources - tea, juices, sweets, muffins, chocolate and the like. Unfortunately, people are so addicted to sweets that they violate this norm several times. In Russia, the average consumption of this product per person exceeds 90 grams, and in the USA - over 150 grams. As a result of exposure to sugar, there is a violation of the functions of the insular apparatus of the pancreas. In addition, sucrose destroys connective tissues, bones, teeth, blood vessels in the human body, which leads to the appearance of such diseases as caries, heart attack, hypertension, stroke, hyperglycemia. Since this substance belongs to carbohydrates, when splitting, it turns into fat, and with its excess, subcutaneous deposits are formed. The peculiarity of this product lies in the fact that it becomes a kind of drug for people, since when it is used, hormones of joy are produced - endorphins, and you want sweets again and again. That is why people began to look for a way out of the situation and develop substances that would replace this product. A sweetener based on stevia was also developed.

What is "stevia"?

"Stevia" (sweetener) is a natural sweetener that is extracted from honey grass. This plant was originally discovered in Paraguay, but today it is grown in many countries around the world. "Stevia" is much sweeter than regular sugar, but has almost zero calorie content, so it is actively used as a means to combat excess weight. The advantage of this product is that it tastes very pleasant unlike other sweeteners. Today, "Stevia" has already become an integral part of the diet for diabetics, as it allows you to normalize body weight and promotes the production of insulin. This sweetener is considered one of the best in the world, as it is healthy and is made only from natural ingredients. Due to the ubiquity of this product, the question of where to buy the Stevia sweetener does not arise for anyone, since it is commercially available in almost any retail store.

The composition of the drug

"Stevia" (sugar substitute) is made from a perennial herbaceous plant, which has been known for more than 1.5 thousand years. Honey grass grows in bushes, each of which collects up to 1200 leaves. It is the leaves that are of particular value. Stevia grows naturally in the northeastern part of Paraguay, but after the discovery of its unique properties, it began to be grown on an industrial scale in many countries of the world with a favorable climate (China, Korea, Japan, USA, Ukraine, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel) on special plantations. China is the largest exporter of this herb. Stevia is 10-15 times sweeter than sucrose. This is due to its unusual composition, which includes diterpene glycosides, including stevioside, rebuadiosides. These substances have a persistent sweet taste that lasts much longer than that of sucrose. In addition, they have an antibacterial effect. The sweetener is extracted from the leaves of honey grass by extraction, resulting in a suitable for use in the form of Stevia powder (sweetener). Photos allow you to see what the plant looks like before and after processing.

Therapeutic effect

"Stevia" (sugar substitute) contains saponins, which cause a slight foaming effect and have increased surface activity, therefore it is widely used as an expectorant for the treatment of diseases of the lungs and bronchi. This drug improves digestion, as it enhances the secretion of glands. It is used as a diuretic. Stevia improves the condition of the skin surface, increasing its elasticity, which is why it is widely used to treat skin diseases. The tool helps to relieve swelling, has an anti-inflammatory effect, improves the process of assimilation of substances in the body. Thanks to the flavonoids contained in the honey grass, which are strong antioxidants, the immune system is activated. In addition, Stevia strengthens the walls of blood vessels, capillaries, normalizes cholesterol levels in the blood, breaks down fatty plaques and blood clots. The drug contains more than 53 different essential oils that suppress viruses, pathogens, have an anti-inflammatory effect, tone up the work of the gallbladder, stomach, liver, and intestines.

Beneficial features

"Stevia" (sugar substitute) has the following unique properties that distinguish this drug from the total mass of other sweeteners:

• 150-300 times sweeter than regular sugar;
• has zero calories;
• is not a favorable environment (unlike traditional sugar) for the development of bacteria, but, on the contrary, causes an antibacterial effect;
• normalizes blood glucose levels;
• dissolves well in water;
• a small dosage is required due to the high level of sweetness;
• widely used in cooking, as it is not exposed to high temperatures, acids and alkalis;
• sweetener is safe for human health. This fact was tested by the Guarani tribe over a 1000-year history of using the plant;
• is an exclusively natural product.

Indications

• patients with diabetes;
• people suffering from overweight and obesity;
• people with high blood sugar;
• for the treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including ulcers, gastritis, a decrease in the level of enzyme production;
• for the treatment of viral and infectious diseases;
• with a high level of cholesterol in the blood;
• to activate the body's immune forces;
• with allergic reactions, dermatitis and other skin diseases;
• in diseases of the kidneys, thyroid and pancreas.

For those who are interested in where to buy the Stevia sweetener, it is important to know that the drug can be found in many places today. So, it is sold in retail stores, pharmacies, retail chains of health products, dietary supplements, vitamins.

Sweetener "Stevia": contraindications

Stevia, like any other sweetener, has a number of contraindications. Therefore, keep in mind the following information:

• before using the drug, you should consult with your doctor about the presence of individual intolerance to its individual components;
• Since "Stevia" lowers blood pressure, strong jumps can be observed with excessive doses. Therefore, it is better to refuse the use of a sweetener for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases and problems with blood pressure;
• with a low content of glucose in the blood with excessive use of Stevia, a hypoglycemic state can be observed.

To avoid harm to health, it is important to adhere to a strict dosage.

Stevia for weight loss

Millions of people around the world are overweight, the cause of which is improper and unhealthy nutrition - the abuse of too sweet, fatty and heavy foods. Therefore, this problem is taking on a global scale. Sweetener "Stevia" in tablets is used by those people who thus seek to give up the use of sugar, leading to the accumulation of body fat. When using sweeteners, people do not feel disadvantaged in sweets, but at the same time, the calorie content of dishes is significantly reduced, since Stevia contains almost 0 kcal. The peculiarity of the product lies in the fact that the substances contained in its composition are much sweeter than sugar, so a small dosage is required, and besides, they are not absorbed in the intestines, which only benefits the figure. However, it is worth noting that the side effects of Stevia are not yet fully understood, so you should not get too carried away with the use and exceed the dosage in order to avoid unforeseen consequences. The sweetener can not only be added to tea or coffee, but also used in cooking.

Application for diabetic patients

According to the results of a study by a Moscow laboratory, the natural sweetener "Stevia" with constant use reduces the level of glucose and cholesterol in the blood. In addition, this product improves the functioning of the liver, pancreas and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. The drug can be used in the treatment of diseases of the joints, in which it is required to exclude the use of sugar. Honey grass serves as a means of preventing the development of hypoglycemic conditions that occur with diabetes mellitus. It can be used for diseases of the heart, skin, teeth, disorders of the digestive tract, atherosclerosis. The sweetener stimulates the adrenal medulla and, with regular use, increases the quality and standard of living. According to research, Paraguayans who used stevia instead of sugar do not have such diseases as overweight and diabetes. According to statistics, each Paraguayan eats about ten kilograms of honey grass per year.

How to take Stevia and what is the dosage?

Sweetener with stevia is sold in various forms - dry leaves, tablets, liquid, tea bags. Dry leaves are brewed into tea. The dosage is 0.5 grams per 1 kilogram of body weight. 0.015 grams of stevia in liquid form replaces one sugar cube. When using stevia in tablet form, it is enough to dissolve one piece in 1 glass of drink.

Side effects

The conducted studies made it possible to establish that when taking the natural sweetener "Stevia" there are no side effects and negative effects on the human body, provided that the dosage is observed, even with prolonged use, unlike synthetic sweeteners. If the dosage is violated, palpitations may also occur. It is not recommended to use a sweetener for diabetics in conjunction with additional drugs to reduce sugar levels.

Sweetener "Stevia": harm or benefit?

There is a lot of controversy in the world community about replacing ordinary sweets with stevia. Opponents of Stevia argue that for the stevioside that is part of the sweetener, the human body does not have enzymes for splitting, so it removes the substance unchanged. In the intestine, this element breaks down into steviol and glucose. It is believed that steviol in its properties is similar to that, therefore, it can cause hormonal imbalances and reduce sexual activity. However, studies conducted on chickens that were given a stevia solution at a concentration of 5 grams per 100 milliliters instead of water showed that the sweetener does not cause reproductive dysfunction. And also those consumers who have already tried the Stevia sweetener agree with this. Reviews about him confirm that there are no violations in the sexual sphere.

Customer opinion

Those who have already used a sweetener leave ambiguous. So, some buyers note that the drug has a pleasant taste. Others claim that it can be slightly bitter, which is not common after drinking regular sugar. Consumers use "Stevia" not only as an additive to drinks, but also used in home preparations for the winter, in baking, making jam. However, there are difficulties with the correct dosage, you have to use the table for a more accurate calculation.

Stevia is made from the medicinal plant of the same name, which has numerous beneficial properties and is considered the sweetest plant in the world. It contains a unique molecular component called stevioside, which gives the plant an extraordinary sweetness.

Stevia is also popularly known as honey grass. All this time, the medicinal herb has been used to normalize human blood glucose and prevent diabetes. Today, stevia has gained not only popularity, but also widespread use in the food industry.

Features of the Stevia sweetener

Stevia is fifteen times sweeter than regular refined sugar, and the extract itself, which contains stevioside, can be 100-300 times the level of sweetness. This feature is used by science in order to create a natural sweetener.

However, not only this makes the natural sweetener an ideal option for diabetics. Most sweeteners made from natural and synthetic ingredients have significant drawbacks.

• The main disadvantage of many sweeteners is the high calorie content of the product, which is harmful to health. Stevia, having stevioside in its composition, is considered a non-caloric sweetener.
• Many low-calorie synthetic sweeteners have a nasty side effect. By changing the metabolism of sugar in the blood, there is a significant increase in body weight. The natural Stevia substitute does not have such disadvantages, unlike analogues. Studies have shown that stevioside does not affect glucose metabolism, and even, on the contrary, reduces blood sugar levels in humans.

The sweetener in some cases has a pronounced taste of leaching grass. However, today there are sweeteners that use stevioside extract.

Stevioside has no aftertaste, is widely used in the food industry, is available as a food additive and is referred to as E960. In the pharmacy, a similar sweetener can be purchased in the form of small brown tablets.

Benefits and harms of Stevia sweetener

The natural Stevia substitute is widely used today in most countries and has excellent reviews. The sweetener has become especially popular in Japan, where Stevia has been used for over thirty years, and during all this time, side effects have not been identified. Scientists from a sunny country have proven that the sweetener does not harm human health. At the same time, Stevia is used here not only as a food supplement, but is also added instead of sugar to diet drinks.

Meanwhile, in such countries, the US, Canada and the EU do not officially recognize the sweetener as a sweetener. Here Stevia is sold in the form of dietary supplements. In the food industry, the sweetener is not used, despite the fact that it does not harm human health. The main reason for this is the lack of research that confirms the safety of Stevia as a natural sweetener. At the same time, these countries are primarily interested in the sale of synthetic low-calorie substitutes, around which, despite the proven harm of these products, a lot of money is spinning.

The Japanese, in turn, proved by their research that Stevia does not harm human health. Experts say that today there are few sweeteners with such low levels of toxicity. Stevioside extract has been tested numerous times for toxicity, and all studies have shown no adverse effects on the body. As the reviews show, the drug does not harm the digestive system, does not increase body weight, does not change cells and chromosomes.

Stevioside has antibacterial functions, so it can be used in the treatment of small wounds in the form of burns, scratches and bruises. It contributes to the rapid healing of wounds, rapid blood clotting and getting rid of infection. Often, stevioside extract is used in the treatment of acne, fungal infections. Stevioside helps babies get rid of pain when their first teeth erupt, which is confirmed by numerous reviews.

Stevia is used to prevent colds, strengthens the immune system, and is an excellent tool in the treatment of diseased teeth. Stevioside extract is used to prepare Stevia tincture, which is mixed with an antiseptic decoction of calendula and horseradish tincture in a 1 to 1 ratio. Rinse your mouth with the resulting drug to relieve pain and possible suppuration.

Also Stevia, in addition to the stevioside extract, contains useful minerals, antioxidants, vitamins A, E and C, essential oils.

With prolonged use of dietary supplements, vitamin complexes, significant consumption of fruits and vegetables, hypervitaminosis or an excess of vitamins in the body can be observed. If a rash has formed on the skin, peeling has begun, you should seek the advice of a doctor.

Sometimes Stevia may not be tolerated by some people due to the individual characteristics of the organism. Including the sweetener is not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. And yet, there is simply the most real and natural, which is considered the best sugar substitute.

Healthy people do not need to use Stevia as their primary food supplement. Due to the abundance of sweets in the body, insulin is released. If you maintain this state constantly, the sensitivity to an increase in sugar in the body may decrease. The main thing in this case is to adhere to the norm and not overdo it with a sweetener.

Use of Stevia in food

The natural sweetener has positive reviews and is widely used in the preparation of drinks and fruit salads, where it is necessary to sweeten the taste. Stevia is added to jams instead of sugar, and is used in baked goods when baking.

In some cases, stevioside may be bitter. This reason is primarily associated with an excess of Stevia, which was added to the product. To get rid of the bitter taste, you need to use less sweetener when cooking. Some types of stevia plants also have a bitter taste.

To reduce body weight, drinks with the addition of stevioside extract are used, which are drunk on the eve of lunch and dinner in order to reduce appetite and eat less food. Also, drinks with a sweetener can be consumed after a meal, half an hour after a meal.

With weight loss, many use the following recipe. In the morning, you need to drink a portion of mate tea with the addition of Stevia on an empty stomach, after which you can not eat for about four hours. During lunch and dinner, you must eat only wholesome and natural food without flavorings, preservatives and white flour.

Stevia and diabetes

Ten years ago, the Stevia sweetener was declared safe for human health and public health approved the use of the sweetener in food. Stevioside extract has also been recommended as a sugar substitute for people with type 2 diabetes. Including a sweetener is very useful for hypertensive patients.

Studies have shown that Stevia improves the effects of insulin, affects the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates. In this regard, the sweetener is an excellent sugar replacement option for diabetics, like.

When using Stevia, it is important to make sure that the product you purchase does not contain sugar or fructose. It is necessary to use bread units to accurately calculate the required dose of sweets. It must be remembered that even a natural sugar substitute, with an excess and improper use, can harm human health and increase blood glucose.

Purchase of a sweetener

You can buy a natural Stevia substitute today at any pharmacy or online store. The sweetener is sold as a stevioside extract in powder, liquid, or dried leaves of a medicinal plant.

White powder is added to tea and other liquids. However, some disadvantage is the long dissolution in water, so you need to constantly stir the drink.

Stevia ("honey grass") is that rare sweetener that you can safely replace sugar if you decide to lose weight or just lead a healthy lifestyle.

Stevia has zero calories and a very low glycemic index (an indicator of the effect on blood glucose levels).

Stevia is not only safe (this was confirmed in 2006 by the World Health Organization), but also useful.

Stevia slows down the aging process in cells, has an antiseptic and antifungal effect on the body, and normalizes the work of the nervous, cardiovascular and digestive systems.

NOW releases 6 varieties of stevia. They differ in the form of release, additional ingredients and, of course, the price. In parentheses, I have indicated the price based on 30 servings.

LIQUID ON GLYCERIN

60 ml - 375 servings - $6.06 (0.48)
237 ml - 1,481 servings - $17.54 (0.36)

PACKAGED WITH MALTODEXTRIN

Outwardly, this option can be distinguished by the beige / yellow-orange box design.

45 sachets/servings - $3.23 (2.15)
75 sachets/servings "French Vanilla" flavor - $6.74 (2.70)
100 sachets/servings - $6.06 (1.82)

What can confuse in glycerin, alcohol, maltodextrin? For a healthy person, these components are not dangerous.

But for patients with diabetes - theoretically they can. Because they have a high glycemic index. But the amount of these substances in a serving is so negligible that - it seems to me - their presence can be safely neglected.

This idea is also confirmed by the fact that Eicherb has special dietary supplements for diabetics, where glycerin and maltodextrin, just like in stevia, are additional ingredients of drugs. But if you still don’t like their presence, pay attention to three other stevia options.

INULIN PACKAGED

Boxes with this stevia are decorated in a turquoise/blue design.

35 sachets/servings - $3.23 (2.77)
75 sachets/servings - $6.06 (2.42)
100 sachets/portions (an interesting variety with chromium and inulin in the composition - Better Stevia balance) -$7.41 (2.22)

POWDER IN A JAR

28g - 622 servings - $6.06 (0.29)
113g - 2,511 servings - $20.24 (0.24)
454g - 10,088 servings - $68.39 (0.20)

It is the purest (contains no other ingredients) and most economical stevia.

STEVIA TABLETS

THEREFORE, THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION WHICH STEVIA IS THE MOST PROFITABLE, SHOULD SOUND LIKE THIS:

1st place (the most profitable) - Stevia powder in a jar. The larger the jar, the better.

2nd place - liquid stevia (alcohol is cheaper than glycerin).

3rd place - stevia tablets.

4th place - packaged stevia.

WHICH STEVIA IS THE MOST CONVENIENT TO USE?

My favorite is liquid stevia. Before use, shake the bottle and - by pressing on the soft plastic walls -squeeze out a few drops. It is the liquid version that is most convenient to take on the road. Because in bags - which, it seems, are intended for travel - stevia is too much for me at one time. Half of it remains, you have to wrap the edge of the bag and make sure that the powder does not spill out of it. In addition, it is liquid stevia that is more convenient to add to cold food - it dissolves best.

WHICH STEVIA IS THE MOST DELICIOUS?

It is clear that the question of taste is an individual matter. All of the options seem about the same to me. In any case, you will have to get used to stevia at first. At first, its sweetness may seem as if separated from the taste of the drink itself.

Just in case, I remind you that the benefits of fructose, honey, cane sugar and other supposedly safe alternatives to sugar are in fact nothing more than a myth.

There are several stages that we all go through when trying to give up sweets, when we realize all the destructive consequences of carbohydrates that come in excess - or when we simply come to understand that any rational diet is based on limiting sugars, and even more so concentrated sugars and refined.

At first it seems like a good idea to replace sugar with fructose. (actually - terrible, see the tag "harm of fructose").
Then there is the impression that there is a whole range of natural syrups and nectars that are more useful than sugar - agave, Jerusalem artichoke, maple syrup. A little later, it becomes clear that these liquid sweeteners are also, in fact, "fructose" and, therefore, among other things, put a heavy load on the liver and continue to feed sugar addiction - in any case, these are concentrated sugars...

Then, at some point, we all learn about the wonderful non-carbohydrate sweetener, the herb stevia.

It turns out that stevia has its own slight aftertaste, but it has no carbohydrates at all. (and besides, it has some suppressive effect on fungi of the genus Candida, and the growth of this culture is most of all provided by just carbohydrates - flour and sugar. And on the other hand, the more this culture grows in the tissues of the body, the more we feel the need for sweet).

So, the natural and carbohydrate-free option available in stores is one: stevia. But it turns out that this knowledge is still not enough, and just about the nuances of the production of sweeteners from stevia, I want to say a few words.

Stevia is now sold in most stores, and even more so in health food stores - in the form of crushed leaves, white extract powder or the same powder in tablets, or in the form of a liquid tincture.
Some manufacturers are cunning: the cover says “natural stevia” - but in the composition on the back you can also find ingredients that have undergone strong industrial processing, such as maltodextrin (this is a sugar that softens the taste of the extract and prevents the powders from clumping). The white stevia powder itself is a product of complex processing, and in addition, it is bleached using chemicals.

The liquid extract is the most convenient: it is both sweeter than the leaves (more concentrated), and it is convenient to use in pastries and drinks, for other needs. But honestly, we don’t know how it is produced in the purchased version - the shelf life is so long that it raises questions.

For that, we know how easy and simple it is to make a similar one at home!

So, liquid stevia extract:

1) dry the stevia leaves in the oven or dehydrator (or use dried purchased raw materials)
2) it is advisable to use a jar with a tight lid, with a volume of 250-300 ml: fill it with leaves, pour good vodka
3) withstand the day, decant the leaves
4) evaporate alcohol by heating: 20-30 minutes over low heat, without bringing to a boil
5) it is more convenient to pour the infusion into a bottle with a pipette - and you can store it in the refrigerator for up to three months

PS If you don’t have stevia on hand and you have to choose between honey and different types of sugar, you probably want to try using “coconut sugar” (coconut palm sugar) - its processing comes down to evaporating the juice of coconut palms. They write that this sugar is rich in amino acids, and it has 30 times more phosphorus, 20 times more potassium, magnesium and iron, 10 times more zinc than brown sugar.

However, similar figures can often be found in relation to honey, Jerusalem artichoke syrup, maple syrup, agave nectar... insignificant.


The rapidly developing market for nutritional supplements is demanding on the safety of products for human health. A safe and high-quality raw material is a liquid stevia extract used in dietary nutrition, cosmetics production. Initially, this perennial plant grew only in the subtropics of Paraguay, Brazil, but gradually spread to areas of East Asia, Georgia, Moldova, and southern Russia. In the northern Russian regions, amateurs grow stevia on window sills.

First about the disadvantages

The plant has been studied by scientists for several decades. The only drawback of using herbs in food is a specific, slightly bitter aftertaste. To get around this unpleasant consequence, it is enough to buy a liquid stevia extract with any taste: chocolate, raspberry, grape, strawberry, lemon, vanilla. In its production, in addition to flavoring additives, other methods are used to eliminate the “grassy” taste.

The optimal approach is to increase the purity of the product, regulate its quantity when using a sweetener in dietary nutrition and food production. Because of this, the price of liquid stevia extract increases, but at the same time, the concentration of the “sweetness” of the finished product increases. To sweeten tea, coffee, pastries, dessert, just drop 3-5 drops of 30 ml of liquid stevia extract into a glass of liquid. The extract is not afraid of high temperatures and does not lose its properties during heat treatment.

The main advantages of the popular dietary supplement:

• 0 calories;
• 0 fat;
• 0 carbs;
• zero glycemic index.

It has no effect on glucose levels. But it’s better to buy liquid stevia in Moscow with 97% content of rebaudioside (Reb A) - a guarantee of the absence of a bitter aftertaste. A food supplement with a purity of 20-40% is slightly inferior in taste. The aftertaste can be called a conditional disadvantage of stevia extract, eliminated by the technology of its production. Some consumers safely consume the live leaves of the plant.

The use of a food supplement can cause an allergic reaction in case of increased sensitivity of the body to chamomile, dandelion, and other Compositae.

Benefits of a sweetener

The American biologist R. Lustig and his colleagues published a paper comparing sugar in its effect on the human body with tobacco and alcohol. They are calling for restrictions on its sale. Due to the abuse of fructose and glucose, fatty liver, diabetes, hypertension and other diseases develop.

It is sugar that suppresses leptin and ghrelin, satiety hormones, providing systematic overeating. According to other researchers, stevia liquid sweetener is the #1 sweetener today. "Honey Grass" allows you to maintain a normal lifestyle for diabetics and just lovers of sweets without harm to their health.

In addition to the hypoglycemic effect, liquid stevia sweetener:

• has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system;
• normalizes intestinal microflora;
• eliminates inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract;
• prevents the development of caries;
• reduces appetite;
• strengthens the immune system.

Some brands are already using the sweetener in their food and beverage production, such as Coca Cola.

A dietary supplement is not a drug, so when you find out where to buy liquid stevia, you should be aware of this. But it can be included in medical complexes for diabetes, obesity, and gastrointestinal diseases. Before use, it is recommended to consult with your doctor, carefully study the manufacturer's instructions. Monitoring the dynamics of changes occurring in the body will help ensure maximum effectiveness of the product.