Stevia Sweetener
A Naturally Sweet Alternative to Sugar
Sugar in the diet has come under increased scrutiny as obesity, diabetes, and other related health problems are at an all-time high in the U.S. At the same time, artificial aspartame sweeteners, such as NutraSweet and Equal, which for years have offered consumers a non-caloric substitute for sugar, have come under fire as consumers seek more natural alternatives in their diets.
In other parts of the world, including South America, Japan and China, an herb called stevia, has been used for hundred of years as a replacement for sugar and other artificial sweeteners. Part of the Chrysanthemum family, the stevia plant was originally used in a tea-like beverage in addition to being used for medicinal purposes, and is slowly gaining ground here in the U.S. despite current FDA regulations that have kept this all-natural sweetener from being used as a food additive. It is, however, approved for sale as an herb (approved as a dietary supplement), which is why it is found in the supplement section of health food stores and natural food supermarkets.
There has been much research focusing on the benefits of this natural sweetener and its use in the diet. You can even cook with it.
When in its pure form, this no-calorie sweetener doesn't affect glucose levels. This has made it popular for use in Brazil as a treatment for diabetes. Additionally, stevia contains no carbohydrates or fats, perfect for dieters.
In addition to the health benefits, stevia has been used for hundreds of years in South America and Asia for its intense sweetening properties. In fact, stevia is up to 300 times sweeter than sugar. Because it is heat stable at temperatures reaching 392 degrees F, stevia makes for an ideal sugar substitute when cooking or baking.
Stevia can be found in various forms - as a liquid extract, liquid concentrate made of the whole stevia leaves, in powder form as well as pre-portioned packets. It can be used as a substitute in most cooking and baking applications. (Note that Stevia does not caramelize well, and does not perform well when making meringues.)
When substituting for sugar, use the conversion rate of 1 cup of sugar to 1 teaspoon of stevia. It is important to realize that when substituting stevia for sugar, especially when baking, you will need to experiment with a recipe to make up for the volume and consistency lost from not using a full cup of sugar. To become more experienced with using stevia in daily baking and cooking, there are a variety of cookbooks and websites which offer tested stevia recipes.
Although stevia has been found to have no adverse effect on the body, it is advised that you consult a physician before using this herb, as is the case with any introduction of any new dietary supplement to your daily routine.
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