Stevia is harmful to the body. The benefits and harms of honey stevia - traditional medicine recipes. Can children take the sweetener stevia?

Stevia herb: history of discovery, composition, medicinal properties. The benefits of stevia for people who are sick diabetes mellitus.

Stevia or “Stevia” (honey grass, sweet bifoil) is a perennial low shrub of the Asteraceae family with paired leaves and miniature white flowers. It is the leaves of the plant that are valued for their unique properties– they are 15 times sweeter than sugar, have a pleasant spicy aroma with a bitter taste. The sweetest and most delicious are leaves up to six months old.

Stevia is not as well known as other medicinal plants - chamomile, mint, St. John's wort, oregano. But in terms of its healing properties, this sweet herb can compete with many representatives of the plant world.

History and distribution

Stevia is translated from the Mayan language as “honey”. According to legend, that was the name of the girl who was ready to sacrifice her life to save her people. For her devotion and love for her fellow tribesmen, the gods gave her emerald grass, which gives eternal youth and limitless power.

Stevia is considered to be native to South America (Brazil, Paraguay). From there, the plant was brought to Europe in the 20th century. True, the Spanish conquistadors learned about the unusual herb much earlier, back in the 18th century. While in America, they noticed that the natives add stevia to their tea for any ailments, fatigue, or just for taste. Today, the herb, nicknamed honey because of its sweetness, is part of Paraguayan mate tea.

Stevia was first described by the South American naturalist Antonio Bertoni in 1887. After extensive study, the plant gradually conquered the world. In the Soviet Union, a new product appeared in the late 70s of the 20th century. According to some sources, it was supposed to become food for submariners, astronauts, and secret service workers. It is not known for certain whether this program was implemented or not, but after five years scientific research that were carried out in Ukraine in the 80s was proven beneficial influence stevia for fat and carbohydrate metabolism. In 1990, honey grass was recognized as one of the most valuable plants, used to treat diabetes mellitus. Today, stevia is cultivated in Japan, Korea, China, Brazil, the USA and Crimea. Modern varieties are grown not only outdoors in summer, but also indoors in winter.

Composition of stevia

Stevia leaves have the highest medicinal value. They contain vitamins, flavonoids, pectins, fiber, essential oils, mineral salts, plant lipids, polysaccharides and 17 amino acids. The honey herb contains vitamins A, D, B, F, tocopherol, rutin, niacin, ascorbic acid, and from microelements - potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, selenium, silicon, zinc, iron.

Sweetness and medicinal value stevia provides steviosides or diterpene glycosides - substances that are building material for the production of hormones. Steviosides were discovered in 1931 by French chemists: they managed to isolate an extract from the leaves of honey grass, which they called stevioside. It turned out that this substance is 300 times sweeter than regular sugar.

Japanese scientists have discovered a lot of beneficial properties of stevia. In the country rising sun The plant has been grown in greenhouses since 1954. Today, it is impossible to imagine the Japanese food industry without stevioside: it has captured more than 40% of the domestic sweetener market. Stevia extract is widely used to sweeten juices, desserts, marinades, soy sauce, dried seafood products, pickled vegetables, chewing gum, toothpaste, etc.

The benefits and medicinal properties of stevia

Stevia is indispensable for reduced immunity, obesity, diabetes, allergies, atherosclerosis, hypertension, kidney, blood and gastrointestinal diseases. Its use will help not only in the treatment, but also in the prevention of these ailments. Honey grass prevents the development of oncology, caries, treats thrush, eczema and dermatitis. This humble plant is deservedly called the medicine of the 21st century. By replacing stevia with regular sugar, you will get all the benefits of this sweet grass instead of the disadvantages of white refined sugar.

What else is stevia useful for: it is recommended to drink stevia tea for prevention colds; stevia has powerful antimicrobial effect. Bactericidal properties plants are used to inhibit the growth of bacteria in oral cavity and healing of shallow wounds, and stevia can prevent the appearance of scars. And also this healing herb normalizes the functioning of all body systems: helps to get rid of toxins, reduces sugar content and bad cholesterol in the blood, stabilizes blood pressure, strengthens the immune system, restores lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, improves digestion, slows down the aging process, strengthens blood vessels.

Beneficial properties: aqueous infusion of stevia helps in treatment acne, eliminates irritation, makes the skin elastic and soft, prevents the appearance of wrinkles. Very valuable for people suffering from diabetes is that stevia does not affect blood sugar metabolism and is safe natural substitute Sahara. The plant is perfect for making compotes, jams and other desserts that can be eaten by people with diabetes.

Contraindications to the use of stevia

Stevia is one of the few medicinal plants, which have no contraindications other than individual intolerance. It is compatible with all foods and medications. It goes without saying that people who want to lose weight should limit their consumption of stevia, and for weight loss it is better to eat it with protein products, for example, low-fat cottage cheese. It is not recommended to abuse this natural sweetener for people with diabetes. It is advisable not to consume stevia with milk, as this can cause diarrhea.

The numerous advantages and multifaceted healing properties of honey herb have made it one of the most beneficial plants for humans. This sweet gift of nature is truly priceless.

Stevioside – chemical compound, present in the leaves of the Stevia plant. This glycoside is known for its intense sweet taste, which is why it is used as a sweetener.

Dried leaves and aqueous extracts Stevia has been used for decades as a sweetener in many countries, especially Latin America and Asia (Japan, China). Stevioside was discovered in 1931 by French chemists M. Bridel and R. Lavieille. Stevioside is considered to be approximately 300 times sweeter than sugar cane. It is obtained by extracting stevia leaves with water.

Steviosides are heat-stable, pH-stable, and non-fermentable glycosides. Moreover, they do not cause glycemic index when ingested, which makes them attractive as natural sweeteners for diabetics and people on carbohydrate diets.

Properties of stevioside

Stevioside is stable to heat, acid and alkaline pH, and is a water-soluble white powder. The molecular formula of stevioside is C38H60O18, molar mass– 804.8722 ± 0.04 g/mol, confluence temperature – 198°C, solubility – 1250 mg/l.

Application of stevioside

IN Food Industry stevioside is used as food supplement E960, acting as a sweetener.

In cooking, stevioside is used as a sweetener for cooking confectionery and baked goods, alcoholic beverages, dairy products, juices and soft drinks, production of mayonnaise and ketchup, canned fruit and sports nutrition. IN food products Stevioside is used as a non-nutritive sweetener and flavor enhancer.

In medicine, stevioside is used in the treatment of diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and heartburn, to reduce the level of uric acid and increasing the strength of contractions of the heart muscles that pump blood away from the heart.

Some studies show that taking 750-1500 mg of stevioside per day reduces systolic blood pressure by 10-14 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 6-14 mmHg within one week of starting dosing. However, other studies show that taking stevioside at doses up to 15 mg per kg per day does not significantly reduce blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure.

Also, taking 1000 mg of stevioside daily after meals can reduce blood sugar levels by 18% in people with type 2 diabetes. However, other studies show that taking 250 mg of stevioside three times a day has no significant effect on blood sugar levels after three months of treatment in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Harm of stevioside

Stevioside is safe for use as a sweetener in foods in doses up to 1500 mg per day for 2 years. According to reviews, stevioside sometimes causes bloating or nausea. Also, according to reviews, stevioside can cause dizziness, muscle pain and numbness.

You should not combine the use of stevioside with tablets that normalize the lithium content in the body. Also, stevioside should not be combined with tablets to lower blood sugar, such as glimepiride, glibenclamide, insulin, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, chlorpropamide, glipizide, tolbutamide and others.

Stevioside can cause harm to the body when used in parallel with antihypertensive medications, such as captopril, enalapril, losartan, valsartan, diltiazem, amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide and others. Concomitant use stevioside with these drugs may cause your blood pressure to drop excessively.

Contraindications

Contraindications to stevioside are pregnancy and lactation, as there is a lack of knowledge and research on the effect of the additive on the body in these conditions. Also a contraindication to stevioside is an allergy to the Asteraceae family of plants. This family includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies and many other plants.

Stevioside is prescribed with caution at low blood pressure, since stevioside leads to even lower levels.

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Stevia, the benefits and harms of which are controversial among experts and lively reviews among people, has long been used as a natural sweetener. This plant is unique in its composition and properties, and the centuries-old history of its use indicates positive result. However, like any medicine, stevia should be used wisely, and better - after consultation with a doctor.

What kind of plant is this?

The stevia plant is a perennial herb that grows in the form of a bush 55–110 cm high, with a straight stem and small, numerous leaves. The stems die off every year, but then new ones grow. There are a lot of leaves on the plant - from 500 to 1300 leaves are collected from one bush, which are of the main value. In total, more than 150 species of stevia have been discovered, but Stevia rebaudiana is of greatest interest.

IN in kind the grass grows in a small area of Paraguay and Brazil (South America). After they became known miraculous properties plants, it began to be cultivated in many countries around the world. Many countries in southeast Asia (Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia) grow stevia without problems, and China has become its main supplier for pharmacology and household use. In nature, the grass prefers a warm mountain climate, but in principle it grows well when the following conditions are provided: constantly moist soil, high air humidity and temperatures above 16–18ºC.

The main feature of the plant is the very sweet taste of its leaves. At its core, stevia is a honey herb, the sweetness of which is ten times greater than that of regular sugar. Because of this property, stevia is recognized as an effective sweetener, and the role of a sweetener is played by stevioside powder from the leaves.

Useful ingredients

In addition to stevioside, the leaves of the plant contain many other important components that provide medicinal properties. The most valuable are diterpene glycosides, in particular rebaudioside A (up to 30% of all glycosides), rebaudiosides B and E (up to 4%), rebaudiosides C and D (about 0.5%), steviol bioside and ducloside (0.5% each). ). It is these components that provide the plant with its unique sweetness.

The general composition of stevia leaves includes the following substances: diterpene glycosides (17–19%), flavonoids (28–44%), water-soluble chlorophylls (9–16%), hydroxycinnamic acids (2.4–3.3%), oligosaccharides (1 .4–2.2%), free sugars (3.2–5.2%), amino acids - 17 items (1.4–3.1%), trace minerals (0.16–1.2%), complex of vitamins A, C, D, E, K, P (0.15–0.2%), essential oils. Among mineral microelements especially highlighted: zinc, chromium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, selenium, sodium, iodine.

Flavonoids combine substances in many ways similar to vitamin P. The main representatives: rutin, quercetin, quercitrin, avicularin, apigenen. These ingredients are considered quite effective antioxidants, have the ability to increase human immunity, have a strengthening effect on stenotic tissues of blood vessels, reduce cholesterol levels, and promote the resorption of blood clots. In terms of flavonoid levels, this herb is comparable to cranberries and blueberries.

Chlorophyll gives stevia antibacterial properties, and hydroxycinnamic acid helps increase immune defense. Essential oils are represented in the plant by more than 50 substances. They impart important properties:

Unique vitamin and mineral complex, contained in stevia leaves. The zinc and chromium content ensures the activation of the so-called glucose tolerance factor. Zinc helps normalize the function of the pancreas in the production of insulin. In general, the entire complex plays an important role in improving the metabolic processes occurring in the body.

Diterpene glycosides contain saponins in their structure, which, in turn, have surface activity. This property provides an expectorant effect, enhances the secretion of many glands, and has certain diuretic abilities.

What are the benefits of the plant

The most typical assessment of the benefits of the plant in question sounds like this: stevia is a sugar substitute that can be used for type 2 diabetes, while it stimulates the production of its own insulin.

However, when stevia is considered, the medicinal properties are not limited to this circumstance.

The herb exhibits the following medicinal effect:

When stevia is considered, its use is recommended for many ailments. Stevia is a sweetener that is very useful for diabetics of the second type of pathology. The herb extract is considered very good prophylactic from the development of hyperglycemic conditions. Stevia for diabetes helps reduce the dose of insulin taken by stimulating its production in the body itself.

The herb is recommended for the development of obesity, digestive pathologies, cardiac ischemia, atherosclerosis, problems with teeth and gums, arthritis. Experts note a beneficial effect on the functioning of the adrenal glands, which helps to increase life expectancy.

One of the uses of stevia is weight loss. People who fight hard overweight, have long appreciated the benefits of this plant. Eating it with salads dulls the feeling of hunger and reduces appetite, i.e. allows a person to give up excess food without any problems. In addition, herbal infusions improve metabolic processes, remove toxins and cholesterol from the body, which significantly affects weight loss.

Problems with using herbs

When stevia is used, virtually no harm is detected. The only exceptions can be rare cases individual intolerance of the body. Before course treatment you should make sure that there is no allergic reaction in case of hypertrophied sensitivity. To completely eliminate the risk of allergies, stevia is introduced into the diet gradually, with minimal doses.

It should be especially noted this fact: when stevia is taken, the contraindications are rather of a precautionary, reinsurance nature, excluding the slightest risk of side effects. The following recommendations can be highlighted:

It is not advisable to consume stevia and preparations made from it with milk (diarrhea is possible).
Caution should be exercised by people suffering from hypotension, because... The plant helps lower blood pressure.
Certain side effects possible with hormonal imbalance, digestive problems, hematogenous pathologies, nervous disorders - in such circumstances, consultation with a doctor is necessary.

How is stevia used?

Stevia, whose medicinal properties are highly valued all over the world, is used in various forms. The pharmaceutical industry isolates concentrated substances and then offers them in the form of extracts, tablets, and powder. At home, herbal tea, infusion, decoction, and syrup are widely used. Stevia is actively added to food, for example, in salads. Herbal extract is used in the production various drinks(carbonated and non-carbonated), yoghurts, desserts, ice cream, flour products. IN Lately Stevia components have begun to be included in toothpaste and mouthwashes.

Stevia tablets are quite common pharmacy form. Their basis is rebaudioside or stevioside, isolated from the plant. Two ingredients are often used as fillers - erythrol and maltodextrin, which are also natural. Cooking offers wide choose finished products: cakes, candies, chocolate, cookies, gingerbreads, jams, herbal tea, pancake mixes with stevia extract. Seeds or dry mixtures of the plant can be purchased separately.

In nature, there are plants that are much sweeter and healthier than sugar. For example, stevia, the benefits and harms of which have already been studied in detail. This perennial plant has an unusual sweetish taste that is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. The use of stevia as a natural sweetener is recommended for everyone: adults, the elderly, children, healthy people and those who are sick. What useful qualities does this plant have, how to use it, and when is the use of this herb contraindicated?

Beneficial properties of stevia for the body

This plant contains a huge amount of substances beneficial to the body, such as:

flavonoids - quercetin, avicularin, rutin, apigenin, kaempferol, guayaverine;
vitamins - beta-carotene, C, E, Thiamine, D, Niacin, P, group B;
minerals - cobalt, chromium, zinc, calcium, potassium, copper, phosphorus, silicon, magnesium, selenium, iron;
essential oils;
pectins;
glycosides - Stevioside, Rubuzoside, Rebaudioside A, C, B, Dulcoside;
acids - chlorogenic, hebberellic, formic, caffeic;
inulin;
tannins.

Stevia is effective therapeutic agent, it is widely used in medicine, because it:

Charges the body with energy.
At frequent use instead of sugar, improves physical and mental performance, dream.
Has a hypoglycemic effect . Stevia activates the production of insulin in the blood, so when people with diabetes consume it, their sugar levels decrease. Application of the plant healthy people does not harm their body.
Strengthens cardiovascular system.
Lowers blood pressure.
Useful for the prevention and treatment of obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, as an additive to foods
Possesses antibacterial properties, thanks to which stevia is used for processing and fast healing wound
Helps remove toxins from the body.
Has a beneficial effect on the liver and pancreas.
Takes part in stabilizing metabolism.
Reduces cholesterol.
Used for allergic reactions (diathesis) in children.
Stabilizes acidity levels gastric juice.
Due to essential oils in the composition, used for frostbite, burns, eczema.
Has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. Used as a tea to treat colds, acute respiratory infections, and flu.
Strengthens immune system body. A huge amount of minerals, amino acids, vitamins completely replenish reserves and prevent the immune system from weakening.

It is known that sweets are harmful to teeth. But stevia as a sweetener has useful action in dentistry:

It contains a large number of vitamin and glycosides, which prevent bacteria from multiplying, which is why stevia is prescribed for diseases of the oral cavity.
Protects tooth enamel from damage and destruction.
Protects gums from periodontal disease, running form which is at risk of tooth loss.

Useful properties of stevia in cosmetology:

The plant is used as a skin care product. Masks with this honey herb effectively eliminate blackheads and quickly cope with irritation and inflammation of the skin.
It is used to treat dermatitis and acne.
Mask based water infusion The plant makes the skin velvety, elastic, and prevents the appearance of fine wrinkles.
This herb helps fight seborrhea and dandruff.

How to use

You can use stevia different methods:

In cosmetology, various masks, decoctions, and infusions are prepared from it, which are used to cleanse the skin, heal wounds, and treat acne and rashes. To prepare a water infusion, a fabric bag with 100 g of herb is placed in a pan with 1 liter of boiling water. Boil for 1 hour, steep a little, add half a liter of water and boil for another hour.
As a food additive. The plant tolerates well heat treatment, it is added to baked goods, teas and different dishes.
For weight loss. Often people who want to lose weight find it difficult to give up sweets. By using stevia in their diet, they compensate for the lack of sugar by reducing the calorie content of their diet.
Diabetics. People suffering from diabetes use the plant as a sweetener that releases insulin.
For injuries and burns. Fresh stevia leaves, rubbed a little with your hands, are applied to the damaged areas of the skin.

Can stevia be harmful?

Any medicine has contraindications, so self-medication is not recommended. Before starting a health course, you should consult a doctor. For people suffering from diabetes, the use of stevia can only be prescribed by a doctor, who will determine the frequency and dose of the drug. The main contraindications for the use of this plant include:

Individual intolerance to the plant by the body. To find out, you need to take tests to identify the allergen.
Pressure changes. Chronic excessive consumption of stevia leads to spikes in blood pressure.

Where to buy and how much does stevia cost?

You can purchase the plant from herbalists, pharmacies, and online stores that sell medicines. It is sold as dried herb, dry leaf powder, syrup, extract, or tablets. The shelf life of dried stevia is two years. Depending on the type of drug, the price also changes:

A 500 gram package of the plant (powder) costs 90-200 rubles.
Stevia syrup 20 ml – 125-300 rubles.
Tutu dried leaves– 50-100 rubles.
Stevia tablet (200 pcs.) instead of sugar - 900-1000 rubles.

Video: about growing stevia at home from seeds

Honey grass is sold in all pharmacies, but sometimes fresh leaves are needed, for example, for making tea or salads. For such purposes, stevia can be grown at home. This perennial plant is successfully grown by gardeners in their beds, loggias, and in pots as an indoor crop. Stevia tolerates light frosts and heat well, so it is not difficult to grow. Watch the video below detailed instructions for growing this plant at home.

Surely many of our readers are familiar with stevia. What is this? Some will say that this is a high-quality vegetable sweetener, and they will be partly right. Actually it's medicinal herb. Today we will try to tell you more about this plant. For what diseases and how to take it, does it have contraindications?

Stevia: what is it?

A perennial plant, more precisely, small bush with erect stems, from sixty to eighty centimeters high, from the Asteraceae family, which includes about two hundred and sixty species . Stevia, benefits and harm which was known to healers one and a half thousand years ago South America, V modern world became known only recently.

Thanks to the efforts of Professor Vavilov, the territory of the former Soviet Union Stevia was imported. No one in our country yet knew what kind of plant this was. For a long time, products based on it were part of rations for cosmonauts and senior officials in the USSR. Stevia has also been studied in other countries. The benefits of this plant have found more and more evidence every year. Scientists from all over the world have talked about this.

Stevia is a herb whose stems die off every year, and their place is taken by new shoots on which small leaves are located. One bush can have from six hundred to twelve thousand sweet leaves. Based on numerous studies, modern scientists have identified the unique properties that this plant has.

Spreading

In the northeast of Paraguay and the neighboring part of Brazil, on a tributary of the Parana River, stevia is widespread. Even children here know that this sweet plant has medicinal properties. Over time, the whole world learned about this herb. IN natural conditions It grows in high mountains, so stevia has adapted to fairly sharp temperature changes. Now it's being grown in almost all countries of Southeast Asia.

Today it is grown for industrial purposes in the Krasnodar Territory and Crimea. stevia. The benefits and harms of this plant have been well studied, which makes it possible to use it in the food industry and cosmetology, but this herb is most in demand in medicine.

Compound

The most big amount useful substances possess the leaves of the plant. They include:

cellulose;
polysaccharides;
glycosides;
plant lipids;
vitamins C, A, P, E and microelements;
pectin substances;
essential oils.

Glycosides - steviiodes - give the plant its sweetness. They are several hundred times sweeter than sugar. But besides this, they are phytosteroids that are involved in the synthesis of hormones in our body.

Natural sweetener

The taste of stevia is most pronounced when consuming young leaves. The sweetest leaves are those grown in natural climatic conditions and with sufficient sunlight. The plant has a pleasant and slightly sweet aroma. The taste has shades of sweetness, accompanied by a bitter aftertaste.

Despite the increased sweetness that stevia has, it cannot cause harm to the body, but the benefits of its use are obvious. More than twenty amino acids and vitamins contained in its leaves allow you to combine excellent taste qualities With healing properties. The plant has antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects on the human body, thanks to which it is successfully used traditional healers for colds and viral infections.

The taste of the plant allows it to be called the best natural sweetener in the world. Not every plant is characterized by such rapid solubility, complete absence side effects, a huge amount medicinal properties and wherein pleasant taste. What else is attractive about stevia?

This plant does not cause insulin release and helps normalize blood sugar levels.
Stevia, the harm of which has not been identified even with long-term use, is resistant to high temperatures, which allows it to be used in baked goods and hot drinks.

Healing properties

Honey herb (stevia) has the following beneficial properties:

thins and removes mucus;
increases gastric secretion;
has a mild diuretic effect;
prevents rheumatism;
relieves swelling;
reduces “bad” cholesterol levels and blood sugar;
strengthens blood vessels and normalizes blood pressure;
normalizes metabolism;
prevents diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, pancreatitis;
helps in the treatment of bronchitis.

Stevia has become a salvation for people suffering from diabetes and tired of constant restrictions on sweets. Today, many manufacturers add it to special products for such patients - cookies, yoghurts, chocolate. Natural sweetness does not harm diabetics; their body accepts this sweetener.

As you can see, indeed unique plant- stevia. Its benefits for the human body have been confirmed by numerous studies by Russian and foreign scientists.

Release forms

Many people are interested in the sweetener stevia. Its price depends on the release form and volume. Today, stevia-based preparations are produced in different forms, but first we should talk about the indicators that are inherent in all types of these products: carbohydrates, fats and calories are absent. Equal to zero glycemic index.

Sachets

The composition includes: stevia extract, which has a sweet, pleasant taste and no foreign flavors; erythrol - natural filler, obtained from starch and used for ease of dosage: 1 sachet corresponds to the level of sweetness two teaspoons of sugar. Packages come in 25, 50 and 100 bags.

Price - from 100 rubles.

Powders

Price for 20 grams - 525 rubles.

Pills

1 tablet corresponds to 1 teaspoon of sugar. Available in packs of 100, 150 and 200 pieces.

Price - from 140 rubles.

Liquid extract

It has the taste of strawberry, raspberry, chocolate, vanilla, mint, etc. Four to five drops are enough to add sweetness to a glass of drink. Stevia extract is packaged in thirty-gram plastic or glass bottles.

Price - from 295 rubles.

Are there any contraindications to the use of stevia?

Scientists at this moment not identified harmful properties this plant. However, individual restrictions still exist. First of all, this is intolerance to stevia, which can be expressed as allergic reactions. In this case, its use must be stopped.

At the very beginning of the reception there may be others negative reactions body: digestive disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, dizziness. As a rule, they pass very quickly.

We should not forget that stevia significantly reduces blood sugar, so this indicator must be monitored while taking this sweetener.

People with hypotension ( low blood pressure) Stevia should be taken with caution to avoid low blood pressure. When purchasing stevia in powder or tablet form, pay attention to the composition. It should not contain methanol and ethanol, which are sometimes used to reduce the sweetness of the drug. Their toxicity can harm your body.

Stevia: reviews

This amazing natural sweetener has no strict contraindications. For many of our compatriots, stevia became a discovery. What kind of plant this is, many did not know before. Judging by the reviews, acquaintance with it most often occurs after the doctor records an increase in blood sugar levels. People who started using this sweetener note that after a month regular intake the rise in blood sugar levels slows down, and with more long-term use- decreases.

Patients also leave reviews with increased blood pressure. They note that when regular use With stevia, blood pressure normalizes; there are no sudden changes.

Women who are watching their figure have not ignored this herb. Having given up sugar and switched to stevia, many people boast about their weight loss achievements. Reviews about this plant are mostly positive, although some did not like its pronounced bitter taste.