Stevia plant/leaf- sugar substitute for diabetes

• Stevia plant (Stevia rebaudiana), flowering plant in the aster family (Asteraceae) grown for its sweet-tasting leaves.
• Stevia plant is native to northeast Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. It is now grown in other parts of the world, including Canada and part of Asia and Europe. It is probably best known as a source of natural sweeteners.
• The stevia leaves contain a variety of sweet-tasting compounds called steviol glycosides, which can be processed commercially to create powdered, low-calorie sweeteners and used fresh or dried to sweeten drinks or desserts.
• Steviol glycosides, specifically stevioside and rebaudioside A, has the ability to surpass 300 times the sweetness of table sugar while remaining non-glycemic, meaning they do not alter blood glucose levels.
• Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Russia, Israel, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina all sell stevia leaf extracts as sweeteners.

Benefits of stevia leaf/stevia powder for diabetes

• They have low quantities of calories.
• They do not contribute carbs to the diet of people with diabetes.
• There is no effect on insulin and blood glucose by having stevia sweeteners.
• A significant reduction in blood sugar level can be seen in people with type 2 diabetes after having a meal in which stevia is included.
• For people with obesity, stevia can prove to be highly useful in controlling the intake of energy and sugars.
• Blood pressure can be normalized with stevia.

How is stevia made?

• In contrast to lab-made artificial sweeteners, stevia is derived from plant leaves. Though it’s unlikely that you’re eating the leaf itself, it must be treated before it reaches your table or appears in your cuisine.
• Initially, the leaves are gathered, dehydrated, and steeped in heated water. The extremely delicious steviol glycoside components of the leaf are extracted by filtering and spinning the liquid.
• After that, it’s mixed with a variety of additives, such as maltodextrin or dextrose, to lessen its strong sweetness and make it easier to absorb into meals.

 How does stevia leaf/ plant work?

One plant that has natural sweeteners used in food is stevia. The impact of stevia’s compounds on blood pressure and blood sugar levels has also been studied. Research findings, however, have proven inconsistent.

Stevia plant Used in the form of –

Stevia leaf, Stevia extracts, Stevia powder, Stevia sugar free tables, Stevia as raw

DOSING

• The appropriate dose of stevia depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions.
• There is currently insufficient scientific data to establish a suitable range of stevia dosages. Remember that doses can matter and that natural products aren’t always safe. Before using, be sure to read the product labels carefully and speak with your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.

SIDE EFFECTS of stevia

• Stevia and chemicals contained in stevia, including stevioside and rebaudioside A, are safewhen taken by mouth as a sweetener in foods. Rebaudioside A has generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status in the U.S. for use as a sweetener for foods.
• Stevioside has been safely used in research in doses of up to 1500 mg daily for 2 years.
• Some people who take stevia or stevioside can experience bloating or nausea.
• . Other people have reported feelings of dizziness, muscle pain, and numbness.

PRECAUTIONS

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking stevia if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Stevia belongs to the plant family Asteraceae/ Compositae. In addition to numerous other plants, this family includes ragweed, daisies, marigolds, and chrysanthemums. Theoretically, ragweed and related plant sensitivities could extend to stevia sensitivity.

Diabetes: According to some emerging studies, stevia contains some compounds that may reduce blood sugar levels and interfere with blood sugar regulation. Other studies, nevertheless, dispute this. If you use stevia or any of its sweeteners and have diabetes, keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels and let your doctor know what you find.

Low blood pressure: There is some evidence that some of the compounds in stevia can lower blood pressure, albeit it is not definitive. There is a worry that these substances could make patients with low blood pressure experience an excessive decline in blood pressure. If you have low blood pressure, see your doctor before using stevia or any of the sweets it contains.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Stevia Good for Diabetes?

• Many diabetics are concerned that stevia may have a high sugar level. What does stevia mean for diabetics then? Stevia does indeed help with diabetes. Since stevia sweeteners have no calories, diabetics can safely use stevia.
• It is also a wise option for those who want to reduce their weight. Stevia can be a useful substitute for sugar in diabetic diets and everyday meals for those who have the disease.
• They come in a variety of forms, including liquid, powdered, and granular. People with diabetes have no change in blood sugar levels when taking stevia on a daily basis.

Is the stevia plant edible?

Leaves are highly edible and used as a sweetener. They can be eaten off the plant, used in teas or dried.

Why stevia was banned in USA?

Though stevia was initially banned in the U.S. because some studies suggested it may be linked to cancer, it’s no longer prohibited. In fact, in 2008, stevia was granted GRAS status by the FDA – which stands for “Generally Recognized As Safe.”

Is stevia still banned in India?

India’s food safety regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), banned stevia, a natural sweetener, in 2011, and then reversed its decision and approved it in 2015.

Is stevia Ayurvedic?

Stevia, also known as Stevia rebaudiana, is a natural herb that has been used in Ayurveda for centuries for numerous health benefits.

Is stevia 100% natural?

Stick with products that use organic stevia extract, and ask the manufacturer if there are any other fillers used. That is the only type of stevia that is 100% natural, safe, and healthy.

Is the stevia plant safe to eat?

While raw stevia is not approved by the FDA for consumption, pure extracts are considered safe. The FDA approved only the highly purified steviol glycosides from stevia leaves as safe to use. Products thought to be safe contain words in their ingredient list such as stevia extract or Stevia rebaudiana.

Does stevia spike insulin?

In fact, stevia does not contribute to increased glucose and insulin levels. One of the most important biological effects of stevia is opening calcium channels in pancreatic beta cells mediated by the active constitute of S. rebaudiana, steviol. This stimulates insulin secretion in response to glucose.

How much stevia per day is safe?

The World Health Organization defines the acceptable daily intake (ADI) as 4 mg of stevia per kilogram of body weight. According to an FDA estimate, that means a 150-pound person could safely eat up to 10 packets of stevia a day.

Is stevia banned in chocolate?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has clarified that the additive “steviol glycoside (INS 960)” is not permitted for use in “Cocoa and Chocolate products” and “Imitation chocolate, chocolate substitute products”.

From where we can buy stevia

We can buy stevia and their products from Amazon

Stevia Buying Guide https://www.whatsugar.com/stevia

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