Guarani people of Brazil and Paraguay traditionally consumed sunflower-family stevia rebaudiana, stevia, sweetening their yerba mate tea with it, using it medicinally, and otherwise considering it a sweet-tasting treat(1). The little plant's leaves are the sweet-tasting part(1,2). Stevia is rich in non-carb glycoside compound stevioside. When that breaks down, instead of going into the bloodstream, its glucose-containing particles get absorbed by colon bacteria. Stevia is therefore practically non-caloric, doesn't contribute to blood sugar, and therefore serves as a healthy option (depending on the form, see below) to lower sugar consumption. Note: diabetics should still monitor blood sugar as blood sugar may [get too low]. It further is an option to support healthy weight loss(2).
Stevia, however, isn't stevia isn't stevia. There is a nasty-processed, altered form which is 200-400 times sweeter than sugar and containing GMOs (genetically-modified organisms). Truvia belongs to this category. Otherwise, the least-processed form, green leaf, is already 30-40 times sweet than sugar and a little bitter. Stevia extracts are 200 times sweeter than sugar but not the altered form(2). [Note: Wikipedia tries to insinuate that leaf stevia is unsafe(1) while ignoring the GMOs and other counterproductive properties of highly processed stevia.] Further note: people with reactions to "ragweed, marigolds, daisies, and related plants" may have reactions to stevia - it is, again, in the sunflower family.
"[G]lycosides in stevia... actually relax the blood vessels, increase urination, and facilitate the elimination of sodium from the body." Its glycosides further reduce free radicals in the body which could otherwise spur the mutation of healthy cells into malignant ones. Stevia leaf extracts are thus high in antioxidants. Stevia reduces [bad] oral and skin bacteria, alleviating cavities, gingivitis, and skin conditions. It even helps increase density of minerals in bones(2). [Please see Source 2 below for more uses!]
Sources:
1. Wikipedia contributors. "Stevia rebaudiana." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 16 Dec. 2019. Web. 31 Dec. 2019.
2. Staughton, John. "7 Impressive Benefits Of Stevia." Organic Facts: Let's Get Healthy Together. Organic Information Services Pvt Ltd. Updated 21 December 2019. Web 30 December 2019. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/stevia.html.
Stevia, however, isn't stevia isn't stevia. There is a nasty-processed, altered form which is 200-400 times sweeter than sugar and containing GMOs (genetically-modified organisms). Truvia belongs to this category. Otherwise, the least-processed form, green leaf, is already 30-40 times sweet than sugar and a little bitter. Stevia extracts are 200 times sweeter than sugar but not the altered form(2). [Note: Wikipedia tries to insinuate that leaf stevia is unsafe(1) while ignoring the GMOs and other counterproductive properties of highly processed stevia.] Further note: people with reactions to "ragweed, marigolds, daisies, and related plants" may have reactions to stevia - it is, again, in the sunflower family.
"[G]lycosides in stevia... actually relax the blood vessels, increase urination, and facilitate the elimination of sodium from the body." Its glycosides further reduce free radicals in the body which could otherwise spur the mutation of healthy cells into malignant ones. Stevia leaf extracts are thus high in antioxidants. Stevia reduces [bad] oral and skin bacteria, alleviating cavities, gingivitis, and skin conditions. It even helps increase density of minerals in bones(2). [Please see Source 2 below for more uses!]
Sources:
1. Wikipedia contributors. "Stevia rebaudiana." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 16 Dec. 2019. Web. 31 Dec. 2019.
2. Staughton, John. "7 Impressive Benefits Of Stevia." Organic Facts: Let's Get Healthy Together. Organic Information Services Pvt Ltd. Updated 21 December 2019. Web 30 December 2019. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/stevia.html.
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