Stevia is an all-natural sweetener that may be the healthier option for
people who are trying to cut back on their sugar intake. And unlike
aspartame which is an artificial sweetener, Stevia is derived from an herb
making it the better choice for individuals who prefer to consume food
ingredients that are sourced from plants.
3 Amazing Health Advantages of Using Stevia When Traveling
What is Stevia?
Stevia is a small bushy herb that has been cultivated in tropical climates for centuries. This plant belongs to the sunflower family and grows in Paraguay
and Brazil, where it has been used by local people for hundreds of years to
sweeten their food.
However, Stevia can be quickly grown elsewhere. In fact, Stevia has also long
been used in other countries like Korea, China, Japan, and other South
American nations.
What are the uses of Stevia?
The Stevia plant’s leaves yield a natural sweetener, which is also known by that same name. There are around 150 species of the Stevia plant (Stevia
rebaudiana), all of which are from North and South America.
One of the biggest producers of Stevia in the world is Chinas, where one may
also, buy plants for growing at home.
Stevia comes in powder form (stevia sugar) that can be used for a variety of purposes like sweetening coffee, tea, and other drinks. Stevia can also be
used for cooking and baking to make sugar-free goodies at home or for
commercial purposes.
Stevia’s positive growth outlook in the Philippines
Despite the pandemic, Filipinos are turning to healthier products and food alternatives to keep their immune system strong. Aside from practicing health
protocols when outside, a fit and healthy body is the best defense against
diseases.
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| Stevia plant |
That’s why Glorious, popularly known as the Philippines’ first Stevia company,
is confident in its financial outlook. In fact, Stevia's sales are expected to hit $700 million worldwide in the next few years, according to agribusiness finance giant Rabobank.
Glorious manufactures Stevia natural sweeteners as well as teas, juices,
healthy coffee mixes, and chocolate beverages sweetened by Stevia. These
products are vetted safe for consumption by the Food and Drug Association
(FDA).
The potential health benefits of Stevia for travelers
The primary health benefits of Stevia come from the fact that it is considered non-nutritive which means that it has virtually no calories. Because of that, Stevia
doesn’t provide added calories and carbohydrates to one’s diet and, thus, aid
in weight loss and management.
Here are some of the reasons why Stevia may be wise to incorporate to an
overall healthy lifestyle:
1. Stevia can help regulate blood sugar level
If you have diabetes, Stevia can prove to be beneficial to you. That’s because
pure Stevia extract is generally safe to consume and can help maintain healthy
blood sugar levels when used in moderation.
That’s good news for diabetics because they wouldn’t have to give up their
favorite drinks and sweet treats as long as they use diabetic-friendly
ingredients that don’t contribute to the increase in blood glucose levels.
2. Stevia can aid in weight management
Stevia used to be restricted to the health food market only but with its FDA
approval, it has been commonly used as a substitute for table sugar as well as
artificial sweeteners.
Stevia contains almost zero calories and carbohydrates. As such, people who
are trying to manage their weight can include Stevia in their health regimen.
Even so, Stevia is 200 times sweeter than refined sugar but it doesn’t have
any adverse impact on blood sugar levels.
“Stevia is much sweeter than sugar, so you don't have to add much. It’s good
to note that the Philippines is also catching up on the use of this natural sweetener in various food preparations,” said Maura De Leon, the woman behind
Glorious, the country’s first stevia grower and manufacturer.
And because Stevia has no carbohydrates, it’s also considered keto-friendly.
3. Stevia is generally safe to consume
Stevia products are approved safe by the FDA even for people who have diabetes. Aside from being safe for diabetics and those who are trying to shed
excess weight, Stevia is also effective in cutting down the sugar consumption
of children.
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| Stevia farm |
Children who consume an excessive amount of sugar run a high risk of developing heart disease in the future, especially if they put on excess weight. Using Stevia in moderate amounts instead of refined sugar can help
minimize health risks in children in the future.
“Stevia has been touted as a safe and healthy sugar substitute with proven health benefits. It can sweeten foods, and it has several health benefits,
including decreased calorie intake, lower blood sugar levels, and less risk of cavities,” added de Leon.
If you are looking for a healthier alternative to instant coffee mixes that
contain high amounts of sugar, try Glorious Blend Coffee mixes.
All Glorious Blend beverages, particularly the 3-in-1, 5-in-1, and 7-in-1
mixes, use Stevia which has no calories, no carbohydrates, and zero glycemic index. All of these instant drinks will keep you alert and energized throughout the day.
For more information about Glorious, the Stevia Company, check out its
website.
Epilogue
Stevia, being a plant-derived sweetener, has a lot of potential in providing a
healthy sugar and artificial sweetener substitute especially for diabetics and
those who are trying to lose weight.
Stevia is generally considered safe and healthy for human consumption. It’s
hundreds of times sweeter than regular table sugar that’s why only a moderate
amount is needed to sweeten food and drinks.
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