What is Stevia? An Overview
Stevia comes from the leaves of the plant species Stevia Rebaudiana, a bushy shrub that is part of the sunflower family. The Stevia plant is native to South America and has been used as a sweetener for hundreds of years.
These sweeteners are made by extracting steviol glycosides from the leaves of the stevia plant and purifying them to remove some of the bitter attributes found in the crude extract.
This naturally sourced sweetener tastes 200 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar, which can mean that 1g of stevia is equal to approximately 285g of table sugar.
Since a lot less stevia is required for sweetening a dish than actual sugar, it consequently requires far less land and water for its production and is therefore considered to be more sustainable than table sugar.
Stevia tastes mostly sweet but sometimes has a mild licorice-like taste that’s slightly bitter with an aftertaste. They are generally available in liquid, granule, and powder forms.
This 0 calorie, the non-nutritive sweetener is widely popular among fitness lovers and those in diabetes and weight management program.
Nutrition Facts
The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for 1 teaspoon (0.5 grams) of stevia
- Calories: 0
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
(Nutritional information source –https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/917968/nutrients )
It should also be kept in mind that there are some potential side effects of stevia consumption and to avert health problems, it is recommended to consult a doctor before starting its use.
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