"Stevia" (sugar substitute): useful properties and contraindications. Reviews about "Stevia"

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

The problem of losing weight worries many people around the world and is moving from an aesthetic defect to a serious disease requiring medical intervention. One of the means of dealing with unfortunate kilograms is the use of the drug "Stevia" instead of regular sugar.

How bad is sugar and what can replace it?

Scientists agree that sugar can destroy the human body and causes many dangerous diseases, including diabetes, metabolic disorders and, as a result, obesity. The average daily intake of sugar per person is no more than 50 grams, taking into account all sources - tea, juices, sweets, muffins, chocolate and the like. Unfortunately, people are so addicted to sweets that they violate this norm several times. In Russia, the average consumption of this product per person exceeds 90 grams, and in the USA - over 150 grams. As a result of sugarthere is a violation of the functions of the insular apparatus of the pancreas. In addition, sucrose destroys connective tissues, bones, teeth, blood vessels in the human body, which leads to the appearance of such diseases as caries, heart attack, hypertension, stroke, hyperglycemia. Since this substance belongs to carbohydrates, when splitting, it turns into fat, and with its excess, subcutaneous deposits are formed. The peculiarity of this product is that it becomes a kind of drug for people, since when it is used, hormones of joy are produced - endorphins, and you want sweets again and again. That is why people began to look for a way out of the situation and develop substances that would replace this product. A sweetener based on stevia was also developed.

What is Stevia?

"Stevia" (sugar substitute) is a natural sweetener that is extracted from honey grass. This plant was originally discovered in Paraguay, but today it is grown in many countries around the world. "Stevia" is much sweeter than regular sugar, but has almost zero calorie content, so it is actively used as a means to combat excess weight. The advantage of this product is that it tastes very good unlike other sweeteners. Today, Stevia has already become an integral part of the diet for diabetics, as it allows you to normalize blood sugar levels, normalize body weight and promotes the production ofinsulin. This sweetener is considered one of the best in the world, as it is he althy and is made only from natural ingredients. Due to the ubiquity of this product, the question of where to buy the Stevia sweetener does not arise for anyone, since it is available in almost any retail store.

Composition of the drug

"Stevia" (sugar substitute) is made from a perennial herb that has been known for more than 1,500 years. Honey grass grows in bushes, each of which collects up to 1200 leaves. It is the leaves that are of particular value. Stevia grows naturally in the northeastern part of Paraguay, but after the discovery of its unique properties, it began to be grown on an industrial scale in many countries of the world with a favorable climate (China, Korea, Japan, USA, Ukraine, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel) on special plantations. China is the largest exporter of this herb. Stevia is 10-15 times sweeter than sucrose. This is due to its unusual composition, which includes diterpene glycosides, including stevioside, rebuadiosides. These substances have a persistent sweet taste that lasts much longer than that of sucrose. In addition, they have an antibacterial effect. The sweetener is extracted from the leaves of honey grass by extraction, resulting in a suitable for use in the form of Stevia powder (sweetener). The photos allow you to see what the plant looks like before and after processing.

Healing effect

"Stevia" (sugar substitute) contains saponins, which cause a slight foaming effect and have increased surface activity, therefore it is widely used as an expectorant for the treatment of diseases of the lungs and bronchi. This drug improves digestion, as it enhances the secretion of glands. It is used as a diuretic. Stevia improves the condition of the skin surface, increasing its elasticity, which is why it is widely used to treat skin diseases. The tool helps to relieve swelling, has an anti-inflammatory effect, improves the process of assimilation of substances in the body. Thanks to the flavonoids contained in the honey grass, which are strong antioxidants, the immune system is activated. In addition, Stevia strengthens the walls of blood vessels, capillaries, normalizes cholesterol levels in the blood, breaks down fatty plaques and blood clots. The drug contains more than 53 different essential oils that suppress viruses, pathogens, have an anti-inflammatory effect, tone up the work of the gallbladder, stomach, liver, intestines.

Useful properties

"Stevia" (sugar substitute) has the following unique properties that make this drug stand out from the crowd of other sweeteners:

• 150-300 times sweeter than regular sugar;
• has zero calories;
• is not a favorable environment (unliketraditional sugar) for the development of bacteria, but, on the contrary, causes an antibacterial effect;
• normalizes blood glucose levels;
• dissolves well in water;
• needs small dosage due to high level of sweetness;
• widely used in cooking, as it is not exposed to high temperatures, acids and alkalis;
• sugar substitute is safe for human he alth. This fact was tested by the Guarani tribe throughout the 1000-year history of using the plant;
• is a purely natural product.

Indications

"Stevia" is recommended to use as a sweetener:

• diabetics;
• overweight and obese people;
• people with high blood sugar;
• for the treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including ulcers, gastritis, reduced levels of enzyme production;
• for the treatment of viral and infectious diseases;
• with high blood cholesterol;
• to activate the body's immune forces;
• for allergic reactions, dermatitis and other skin diseases;
• for diseases of the kidneys, thyroid and pancreas.

For those who are wondering where to buy the Stevia sweetener, it is important to know that the drug can be found in many places today. So, it is sold in retail stores, pharmacies, retail chains of he alth products, dietary supplements,vitamins.

Stevia sweetener: contraindications

"Stevia", like any other sweetener, has a number of contraindications. Therefore, keep the following information in mind:

• before using the drug, you should consult a doctor about the presence of individual intolerance to its individual components;
• since "Stevia" lowers blood pressure, with excessive doses, strong jumps can be observed. Therefore, it is better to refuse the use of a sweetener for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases and problems with blood pressure;
• Hypoglycemic state may occur with excessive use of "Stevia" in case of low blood glucose.

To avoid harm to he alth, it is important to adhere to a strict dosage.

Stevia for weight loss

Millions of people around the world are overweight, the cause of which is improper and unhe althy nutrition - the abuse of too sweet, fatty and heavy foods. Therefore, this problem is taking on a global scale. Sweetener "Stevia" in tablets is used by those people who thus seek to give up the use of sugar, leading to the accumulation of body fat. When using sweeteners, people do not feel disadvantaged in sweets, but at the same time, the calorie content of dishes is significantly reduced, since Stevia contains almost 0 kcal. Product featurelies in the fact that the substances contained in its composition are much sweeter than sugar, so a small dosage is needed, and besides, they are not absorbed in the intestines, which only benefits the figure. However, it is worth noting that the side effects of Stevia are not yet fully understood, so you should not get too carried away with the use and exceed the dosage in order to avoid unforeseen consequences. The sweetener can not only be added to tea or coffee, but also used in cooking.

Use for diabetic patients

According to the results of a study by a Moscow laboratory, the natural sweetener "Stevia" with constant use reduces the level of glucose and cholesterol in the blood. In addition, this product improves the functioning of the liver, pancreas and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. The drug can be used in the treatment of diseases of the joints, in which it is required to exclude the use of sugar. Honey grass serves as a means of preventing the development of hypoglycemic conditions that occur with diabetes mellitus. It can be used for diseases of the heart, skin, teeth, disorders of the digestive tract, atherosclerosis. The sweetener stimulates the adrenal medulla and, with regular use, increases the quality and standard of living. According to research, Paraguayans who used stevia instead of sugar do not have such diseases as overweight and diabetes. According to statistics, each Paraguayan eats about ten kilograms of honey grass a year.

Howtake Stevia and what is the dosage?

Sweetener with stevia is sold in various forms - dry leaves, tablets, liquid, tea bags. Dry leaves are brewed into tea. The dosage is 0.5 grams per 1 kilogram of body weight. 0.015 grams of stevia in liquid form replaces one sugar cube. When using stevia in tablet form, it is enough to dissolve one piece in 1 glass of drink.

Side effects

Studies have shown that when taking the natural sweetener "Stevia" there are no side effects and negative effects on the human body, provided that the dosage is observed, even with prolonged use, unlike synthetic sweeteners. If the dosage is violated, a hypertensive crisis may occur, as well as a rapid heartbeat. It is not recommended to use a sweetener for diabetics in conjunction with additional drugs to reduce sugar levels.

Stevia sweetener: harm or benefit?

There is a lot of controversy in the global community about replacing regular sweets with stevia. Opponents of Stevia argue that for the stevioside that is part of the sweetener, the human body does not have enzymes for splitting, so it removes the substance unchanged. In the intestine, this element breaks down into steviol and glucose. It is believed that steviol is similar in its properties to steroid hormones, therefore it can cause hormonal disorders.background, reduce sexual activity. However, studies conducted on chickens that were given a stevia solution at a concentration of 5 grams per 100 milliliters instead of water showed that the sweetener does not cause reproductive dysfunction. And also those consumers who have already tried the Stevia sweetener agree with this. Reviews about him confirm that there are no violations in the sexual sphere.

Customer feedback

Those who have already used the Stevia sweetener, the reviews are mixed. So, some buyers note that the drug has a pleasant taste. Others claim that it can be slightly bitter, which is not common after drinking regular sugar. Consumers use "Stevia" not only as an additive to drinks, but also used in home preparations for the winter, in baking, and in jam. However, there are difficulties with the correct dosage, you have to use the table for a more accurate calculation.