What does stevia do to your body?
Stevia is an intensely sweet-tasting plant that has been used to sweeten beverages and make tea since the 16th century.
The plant is originally native to Paraguay and Brazil but is now also grown in Japan and China. It is used as a non-nutritive sweetener and herbal supplement.
A non-nutritive sweetener is one that contains little to no calories. Stevia is used as a healthful alternative to added sugar in many meals and beverages.
China is the current leading exporter of stevia products. However, stevia is now produced in many countries. The plant can often be purchased at garden centres for home growing.
As stevia is 200 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar. It typically requires about 20 per cent of the land and far less water to provide the same amount of sweetness as other mainstream sweeteners.
Stevia is known to aid in a few conditions and diseases in the human body such as:
Diabetes
Research has shown that stevia sweeteners do not contribute calories or carbohydrates to the diet. They have also demonstrated no effect on blood glucose or insulin response. This allows people with diabetes to eat a wider variety of foods and comply with a healthful meal plan.
Another review of five randomized controlled trials compared the effects of stevia on metabolic outcomes with the effects of placebos. The study concluded that stevia showed minimal to no effects on blood glucose, insulin levels, blood pressure, and body weight.
Weight loss
There are many causes of overweight and obesity, such as physical inactivity and increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and added sugars.
Stevia contains no sugar and very few if any, calories. It can be part of a well-balanced diet to help reduce energy intake without sacrificing taste.
Blood pressure
Certain glycosides in stevia extract have been found to dilate blood vessels. They can also increase sodium excretion and urine output.
A 2003 study showed that stevia could potentially help lower blood pressure. The study suggested that the stevia plant might have cardiotonic actions. Cardiotonic actions normalize blood pressure and regulate the heartbeat.
Stevia for your skin
The aqueous extract of stevia is an excellent cosmetic for skincare, inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause inflammation of the sebaceous glands and the formation of acne. Masks from the aqueous infusion of stevia make the skin soft, and supple, eliminate irritation and prevent wrinkles.
Water extract of Stevia - an extremely useful tool for regular skincare. Daily mask with an extract makes the skin soft and supple, wrinkles are removed and skin inflammation.