Stevia 101: Everything You Need to Know About Stevia

Everyone is not aware of the word stevia and the benefits of introducing it in the diet. This article is a well-detailed guide for those who want to know more about stevia and are looking for natural sweeteners to substitute in their diet.

What is Stevia?

Stevia is a natural sweetener and a great sugar substitute. Stevia is also called the sweet leaf, and the scientific name is Stevia rebaudiana. It is available in the form of a plant. Stevia contains fewer calories as compared to sugar but comes with the same amount of sweetness.

The stevia plant is best known for the leaves more than the stevia flower. The stevia leaves are the main USP of the stevia plant and the reason behind the sweetness. It contains a chemical called steviol glycosides. This chemical is at the peak of sweetness when the stevia leaves are used or harvested before the flowers bloom. Usually, it is advisable to remove the stevia flowers to give the sweetness an extra boost. If the flowers do grow out, the seeds available can help grow more stevia plants.

 

History of Stevia

 

The stevia plant is from South America. The stevia plant is the initial discovery of Moises Santiago Bertoni, an Italian botanist around the 18th century. He named the plant - Eupatorium rebaudianum. The stevia plant was made part of the Asteraceae family and related to Chrysanthemum in the 19th century.

Stevia was unknowingly used by the native Guarani people approximately 200 years ago. They used the leaves of the stevia plants by crushing them and adding them to beverages to sweeten them. The stevia leaves were said to be consumed raw just by chewing too. The stevia leaves add the right amount of sweetness to any beverage or food.

Here are some facts about the stevia plant that you should know.

 

·   The stevia plant grows to about 30.5 cm to 80 cm (1 foot to 2.5 feet) in height.

·   The stevia leaves are 2.5 cm (1 inch) and have a distinctive midrib.

·   The stevia flowers are white, come in a tubular shape, and are in a cluster of five petals.

 

How is Stevia made?

The main ingredient to make stevia the natural sweetener is by using the stevia leaves. They are the main source of all the sweetness. The stevia sweeteners are made from stevia extracts (steviol glycosides). The extract needs to be purified to remove any bitterness from the raw extract. The natural sweetener made of stevia you get in the market and what you grow at home tastes a little different.

 

You can also grow the plant at home, but it requires a lot of attention. Here are some pointers on how to grow the stevia plant.

·   Give the plant daily attention. Do not let the stevia flower grow.

·   It requires water daily.

·   Use rich and nutrient soil for the stevia plant to grow.

·   It needs a warm and humid climate.

 

Uses of Stevia

 

Stevia is a natural sweetener that also has some medicinal properties. Unlike other sweeteners, stevia sweeteners are very sweet, 200 to 350 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia products are useful for people who suffer from illness or diseases where there is a dire need to replace sugar.

Here is a list of the benefits of stevia.

 

·   Stevia for diabetics: Stevia is beneficial for people who suffer from diabetes. This natural sweetener proves beneficial to maintain the blood sugar levels of the diabetic person. Hence, stevia for sugar patients is good to consume.

 

·   Stevia for keto: since stevia sweeteners are sweeter than sugar and a great alternative, it is useful for keto. To stay in ketosis, one needs to minimize sugar consumption and is a zero-calorie sweetener, hence stevia for keto suits well.

 

·   Stevia for blood pressure: Blood pressure has been a major health concern globally. Sugar affects the blood pressure and also heart of a person. Stevia extracts are known to reduce blood pressure in patients. Hence, stevia for blood pressure is an alternative to try.

 

·   Stevia for weight loss: Are you planning to reduce or maintain your weight? Then you must try stevia for weight loss. It is a natural sweetener with almost zero calories that gives a sweet taste and cuts down on the carbs. Stevia for weight loss is an effective alternative to sugar.

 

 

How to use Stevia?

 

You can procure stevia either from a store and grow it at your home. All you need to do is crush and use the stevia leaves in your tea or beverage.

 

1 cup of stevia = 18 to 24 packets of stevia sweetener or ½ teaspoon of stevia powder or 1 teaspoon of liquid stevia extract.

 

Use the stevia sweetener wisely.

 

Conclusion

 

It is always great to find a better alternative for an item like sugar. Sugar is widely and daily used in everyone's diet globally. Stevia sweeteners have proven to be natural sweeteners and the best way to replace sugar. Stevia sweeteners are now available online and in stores easily.

 

Stevia sweeteners are used by food manufacturing companies as well. Stevia is widely used in sugar-free food products like diet sodas, low-calorie beverages, and more. These natural sweeteners are stable at high temperatures and hence useful for baking as well. You need to know the right amount of stevia sweeteners that can replace sugar to maintain the correct sweetness.

 

As for any food items or supplements you consume, you need to remember to take stevia in the right amount. Having too much of anything is also not good for your body. You need to consult a specialist or a dietician for the prescribed amount that is essential as per your body weight. The same goes if you use it as a supplement to maintain any of your diseases.

 

Remember to be careful with your intake and switch to healthier habits. Let stevia be your sugar substitute and help you along the way with its zero calories and natural sweetener properties.