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.

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.

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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