Stevia, what is it and why does it sound like the female version of Steven? Well I can only answer one of those questions. It’s a sweetener and sugar substitute native to south America, extracted from the leaf of plant species Stevia rebaudiana. A lot of us love the sweet, sweet taste of sugar and can’t seem to let it go, well good news is that it’s also about 300 times sweeter than sugar. Now I’ve got your attention, read on for the reasons for trying it out and maybe even switching. Here are 5 Top Health Benefits of Stevia!
1. Weight Loss
One of the major reasons a lot of people switch to a more active or healthier lifestyle is usually to lose weight. Stevia is very low in calories and is sweeter than sugar, which means you can indulge in your cakes, cookies and candies (if made with stevia) without worrying about the empty calories from ordinary sugar. Mothers should also know that stevia can help control excess sugar content in their childrens’ diet.
2. Helps Control Diabetes
One of the very popular benefits of stevia is its ability to regulate your blood sugar levels. This is a perfect alternative for diabetics who miss the taste of sweet-tasting food or people on low carb or carbohydrate-controlled diets. You can eat these goodies without worrying about diabetic- related consequences.
3. Oral Health
Raise your hand if you’re tired of going to the dentist because of toothaches caused by overindulgence or having to get your tooth wrenched out and crying afterwards. Well with stevia you won’t have to because it has been found to reduce bacterial formation in the mouth, making it a popular additive for toothpastes and mouthwashes. It also helps prevent cavities and gingivitis, which your typical sucrose definitely doesn’t. Yes folks you can actually have your cake and eat it!
4. Skin Care
Stevia is useful on skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis. Topical application inhibits the spread of bacteria and acts as a steroid in these situations, making it a popular option for many people who can’t get relief from these conditions. Now you can start saying goodbye to those spots!
5. Supports Cancer Prevention
The rich source of antioxidant compounds found in stevia makes it an ideal dietary supplement for the prevention of various cancers including the pancreatic kind. Antioxidants also help to prevent premature aging, cognitive malfunction and various other conditions like as serious as heart disease.
Are you convinced enough to give it a try? A lot of these ‘healthier’ alternatives can be even tastier than their unhealthier counterparts thus anxiety reduction comes as standard. Why not go to your nearest grocery store and treat yourself to a sweeter, fuss-free stevia-made red velvet cake? What are your thoughts on stevia, whether good, bad or indifferent, let us know below, join in the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Looking for other ‘fit foods’? Here are more Top 5’s especially selected to help you Keep YOUR Fit ON!
