Stevia Sweetener

Stevia – In the Raw

Every few years a new sugar alternative hits the market that is all the rage. Encouraged by distrust of artificial sweeteners, table sugar, and demand for natural products, folks have turned to the extract of stevia. In the last couple years stevia, a plant used for centuries by Paraguay’s Guarani Indians, has become immensely popular.

What is Stevia?

Stevia is made from the green leafy South American Stevia rebaudiana plant, and has been around for centuries. Stevia is a 100% natural sweetener that you add to foods and beverages instead of sugar. It contains no calories, but tastes 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. Because stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose it is also attractive to people on carbohydrate-controlled diets.

The availability of stevia varies from country to country. It’s been widely used for decades as a sweetener in Japan. While in South America they’ve used it for centuries in its raw form.

It’s now in sodas and sports drinks, as well as tabletop packets (usually green), liquid drops, dissolvable tablets, and spoonable products, as well as baking blends. You can buy whole or crushed stevia leaves; however that is not very common.

People often confuse stevia with another sweetener called Truvia, but they are not the same. Truvia is a blend of compounds, one of which is extracted from stevia leaves.

How Does It Taste?

Stevioside, the natural chemical in stevia, is 100 to 300 times sweeter than sugar.

Some people think it has a pure, sweet taste. Others say it has a bitter aftertaste, especially if you place it right on your tongue, often compared to black licorice. To ease stevia’s taste many products still include sugar in their recipe. Most advocates who’ve used as a sugar substituted in their favorite recipe claim that you can’t taste the difference.

In the end, it comes down to the product you buy. Some are known to have a better flavor than others.

Click Here to see Great Stevia Recipes

Is Stevia Safe?

Though widely available throughout the world, in South America and Asian countries, in 1991 stevia was banned in the U.S. due to early studies that suggested the sweetener may cause cancer. However, follow a follow-up study refuted the initial study and in 1995, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed stevia to be imported.

After rigorous further studies, in December 2008, the FDA accepted this argument, declared stevia GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe), and allowed its use in mainstream U.S. food production. It has taken food manufacturers a couple of years to work out the right formulations, but stevia is now present in a number of foods and beverages in the U.S., including Gatorade’s G2, Vitamin Water Zero, SoBe Life water Zero, Crystal Light and Sprite Green.

Studies Show That Stevia Can Lower Blood Sugar

Elevated blood pressure is a major risk factor for many serious diseases. Studies have shown that taking stevioside (one of stevia’s sweet compounds) as a supplement can reduce blood sugar levels, and blood pressure.

A 2005 publication of “Planta Medica” found that stevia sweetener made from stevioside lowered blood sugar levels, reducing insulin resistance in diabetic rats. When administered twice daily, stevioside was also found to have an effect on blood glucose levels during glucose tolerance testing, lowering the rise of blood glucose levels in the test subjects. While the results are promising, long-term study on humans is needed.

How to Use Stevia

Stevia can be used in many ways.

You can add it to your smoothie, yogurt, tea, coffee and other beverages. However, over the years it’s primarily been used as a sugar substitute for baking.
Since you can buy stevia in liquid and powder form, it’s more convenient to use the liquid form for beverages and the powder for baking.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of Stevia is substituting it in recipes. Unlike saccharin or aspartame, which denature (change molecular structure) under high heat, you can bake with Stevia!

When using stevia in recipes, keep in mind that it is incredibly potent. One packet, or teaspoon, of stevia extract can have a similar sweetening power as a whole cup of sugar – depending on the brand.

Which Stevia Should You Buy?

There are many different types of stevia – some taste better than others. Therefore, getting the right kind of stevia is absolutely essential.

You can buy stevia in powder and liquid form. Some people prefer the powder over liquid and claim that it has fewer aftertastes. Some of the liquid types of stevia often have alcohol added to them, which may alter the flavor a bit.

Look for a brand that is organic, and has no unnatural additives. Below are some recommended brands – a couple I’ve tried, and others are known good brands with high ratings.

Brands to Try:

NuNaturals

NuNaturals is one of the most popular brands of stevia available, and for good reason.  NuNaturals is a quality product, and their stevia get the best ratings for taste.  NuNaturals makes many different stevia products, but their pure white stevia powdered extract is 100% natural with no alcohol. NuNaturals stevia is intense in flavor so you can use less, which saves money.

Wisdom Naturals Sweetleaf Stevia

Wisdom Naturals Sweetleaf stevia is one of the most popular brands of stevia to date.   Sweetleaf stevia is great tasting, and these packets make it very easy to use and bake with – as many stevia recipes call for measurements in packets.  The powder form does contain inulin, which is an all natural, soluble vegetable fiber, but can be upsetting to some people with IBS symptoms.

Stevita Liquid Stevia

This is a great brand of stevia that has been on the market for a relatively long time. Stevita brand liquid product is 100% natural, 96% stevia, and consistently gets top ratings for flavor.  Best of all it’s easy to fnd this brand at the supermarket and it’s very affordable.

Now Foods Organic Better Stevia Powder

NOW® Stevia Extract is made with a high rebaudioside content and a less bitter after-taste.  It is completely organic.  Now powdered organic pure stevia extract is free from additives. Free of: Sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, preservatives or additives.  Now Stevia Extract is one of the higher cost products, but you’re getting what you pay for in this case.

Planetary Herbs Liquid Stevia

Planetary Herbs Liquid Stevia is a top quality brand, and produces this liquid stevia which is free of alcohol and all common allergens. Great tasting, and is less expensive as compared to other brands on the market.  Planetary Herbs is popular in health food stores, or available on Amazon.

Frontier Naturals Green Leaf Stevia Powder

This powder is great for adding to smoothies, and other baking, as it is one of the most natural of all the stevia products on the market.  It isn’t processed as much as other stevia products, and has a more distinctive stevia flavor.  Since it’s the most natural form of stevia, it’s more intense – so you save money as a result.  If you’re looking for the purest stevia possible, this is it!

Huberts Lemonade

I wanted to share one of my favorite products, flavored with stevia.  It still contains sugar, but less than many others as a result of the stevia sweetener.  I enjoy it and it will give an idea of what products flavored with stevia will taste like.  It’s happiness in a bottle!