Healthy Herbs: The Benefits of Stevia

The Herb Stevia is from a family of herbs with about 150 different species of herbs and shrubs called (Asteraceae), normally found in South and Central America. The species Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is also sometimes called sweet leaf, sugarleaf, or simply Stevia and is widely grown for its sweet leaves. Stevia is mostly used as a sugar substitute because it's taste has a slower onset and longer duration than that of sugar.

Many people have noted that Stevia extracts have a bitter or licorice-like aftertaste when used at high concentrations and Stevia is most notable for the fact that it's extracts have up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar. With the recent rise in demand for a low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternative, Stevia has recently gained a lot of attention in the news and media.

Currently Stevia is showing promise in recent medical research for treating such conditions as obesity as well as high blood pressure. Stevia has a minimal effect on blood glucose levels and can even boost the body's glucose tolerance. Some studies have even suggested that Stevia may help in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. It has therefore become very attractive as a a natural sweetener to diabetics and others on carbohydrate-controlled diets.

With that being said howerver, many political and health contentions have limited it's availability in many countries. The United States banned it in the early 1990s unless it was clearly labeld as an Herbal suplemment.

Stevia has been widely use in Japan for some years now and is now available in the US and Canada only as a dietary supplement. As of today it has not been approved in the US as a food additive.

Rebiana is the trade name for a a sweetner derived from Stevia currently being developed by The Coca-Cola Company and Cargill with the intentions of marketing it in several countries as well as gaining regulatory approval in the US and EU. Truvia, which is touted as a natural, no calorie sweetener made from the leaves of the Stevia plant, is Cargill's consumer brand of the Rebiana-based sweetener.

Some common side effects of Stevia are generally mild, such as dizziness, nausea and muscle weakness. Some questions about the risks of Stevia still abide however, including possible effects on the kidneys and the reproductive system and most notably the fact that the FDA hasn't approved the use of Stevia as an artificial sweetener or food additive. If you're considering taking Stevia as a dietary supplement, consult your doctor about the possible risks and benefits.