The problem of combating overweight worries many people around the world and is moving from the category of aesthetic defect to a serious disease that requires medical intervention. One of the means of dealing with unfortunate kilograms is the use of the drug "Stevia" instead of regular sugar.
What is sugar harmful to and how can it be replaced?
Scientists agree that sugar can destroy the human body and causes many dangerous diseases, including diabetes, metabolic disorders and, as a result, obesity. The average daily sugar intake per person is not more than 50 grams, taking into account all sources - tea, juices, sweets, muffins, chocolate and the like. Unfortunately, people are so addicted to sweets that they violate this norm several times. In Russia, the average consumption of this product per person exceeds 90 grams, and in the USA - over 150 grams. As a result of exposure to sugar, there is a violation of the functions of the insular apparatus of the pancreas. In addition, sucrose destroys connective tissues, bones, teeth, blood vessels in the human body, which leads to the appearance of diseases such as caries, heart attack, hypertension, stroke, hyperglycemia. Since this substance belongs to carbohydrates, when broken down, it turns into fat, and when it is excess, subcutaneous deposits are formed. The peculiarity of this product is that it becomes a kind of drug for people, since when it is used, hormones of joy - endorphins are produced, and you want sweets again and again. That is why people began to look for a way out of the situation and develop substances that would replace this product. In particular, a sugar substitute based on stevia was developed.
What is Stevia?
"Stevia" (sweetener) is a natural sweetener that is extracted from honey grass. This plant was originally discovered in Paraguay, but today it is already grown in many countries of the world. "Stevia" is much sweeter than regular sugar, but has almost zero calorie content, so it is actively used as a means to combat overweight. The advantage of this product is that it tastes very good unlike other sweeteners. Today, "Stevia" has already become an integral part of the diet for diabetics, as it allows you to normalize blood sugar levels, normalize body weight and promotes the production of insulin. This sweetener is considered one of the best in the whole world, as it is good for health and is made only from natural ingredients. Thanks to the ubiquity of this product, no one has a question where to buy the Stevia sweetener, as it is commercially available in almost any retail store.
The composition of the drug
"Stevia" (sweetener) is made from a perennial herb that has been known for more than 1.5 thousand years. Honey grass grows in bushes, from each of which up to 1200 leaves are collected. It is the leaves that are of particular value. Stevia grows naturally in the northeastern part of Paraguay, but after discovering its unique properties, it began to be grown on an industrial scale in many countries of the world with a favorable climate (China, Korea, Japan, USA, Ukraine, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel) on special plantations. The largest exporter of this herb is China. Stevia is 10-15 times sweeter than sucrose. This is due to its unusual composition, which includes diterpenic glycosides, including stevioside, rebuadiosides. These substances have a steady sweet taste, which lasts much longer than sucrose. In addition, they have an antibacterial effect. The sweetener is extracted from the leaves of honey grass by the extraction method, as a result, it turns out to be suitable for use in the form of "Stevia" powder (sweetener). Photos allow you to see how the plant looks before and after processing.
Therapeutic effect
"Stevia" (sweetener) incorporates saponins, which cause a slight foaming effect and have increased surface activity, therefore it is widely used as an expectorant for the treatment of diseases of the lungs and bronchi. This drug improves digestion, as it enhances the secretion of glands. It is used as a diuretic. Stevia improves the surface condition of the skin, increasing its elasticity, therefore it is widely used to treat skin diseases. The tool helps to relieve swelling, has an anti-inflammatory effect, improves the absorption of substances in the body. Due to the flavonoids contained in the composition of honey grass, which are strong antioxidants, immunity is activated. In addition, "Stevia" strengthens the walls of blood vessels, capillaries, normalizes blood cholesterol, breaks down fatty plaques and blood clots. The drug contains more than 53 different essential oils that suppress viruses, pathogens, have an anti-inflammatory effect, tone up the work of the gall bladder, stomach, liver, intestines.
Beneficial features
"Stevia" (sweetener) has the following unique properties that distinguish this drug from the total mass of other sweeteners:
- 150-300 times sweeter than regular sugar;
- has zero calorie content;
- It is not a favorable environment (unlike traditional sugar) for the development of bacteria, but, on the contrary, causes an antibacterial effect;
- normalizes blood glucose;
- well soluble in water;
- a small dosage is necessary due to the high level of sweetness;
- widely used in cooking, as it is not exposed to high temperatures, acids and alkalis;
- sweetener is safe for human health. This fact was tested by the Guarani tribe during the 1000-year history of the use of the plant;
- is an exclusively natural product.
Indications
"Stevia" is recommended to use as a sweetener:
- patients with diabetes;
- people who are overweight and obese;
- people with high blood sugar;
- for the treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including ulcers, gastritis, decreased levels of enzyme production;
- for the treatment of viral and infectious diseases;
- with high cholesterol in the blood;
- to activate the body's immune forces;
- with allergic reactions, dermatitis and other skin diseases;
- with diseases of the kidneys, thyroid and pancreas.
Those who are interested in where to buy the Stevia sweetener, it is important to know that today the drug can be found in many places. So, it is sold in retail stores, pharmacies, retail chains of health products, dietary supplements, vitamins.
Stevia sweetener: contraindications
"Stevia", like any other sweetener, has a number of contraindications. Therefore, the following information should be kept in mind:
- Before using the drug, it is necessary to consult a doctor about the presence of individual intolerance to its individual components;
- since "Stevia" lowers blood pressure, strong surges can be observed at excessive doses. Therefore, it is better to refuse the use of a sweetener to people suffering from cardiovascular diseases and problems with blood pressure;
- with low blood glucose with excessive use of "Stevia" hypoglycemic state may be observed.
To avoid harm to health, it is important to adhere to a strict dosage.
Stevia for weight loss
Millions of people around the world are overweight, caused by unhealthy and unhealthy diets - the abuse of too sweet, fatty and heavy foods. Therefore, this problem takes on a global scale. The Stevia sweetener in tablets is used by those people who thus seek to stop eating sugar, which leads to the accumulation of body fat. When using sweeteners, people do not feel restrained in sweets, but at the same time, the calorie content of dishes is significantly reduced, since "Stevia" contains almost 0 kcal. The peculiarity of the product lies in the fact that the substances contained in its composition are much sweeter than sugar, therefore a small dosage is necessary, in addition, they are not absorbed in the intestine, which only benefits the figure. However, it is worth noting that the side effects of "Stevia" are not yet fully understood, so you should not get too carried away with consumption and exceed the dosage in order to avoid unforeseen consequences. The sweetener can not only be added to tea or coffee, but also used in cooking.
Diabetes patients
According to a Moscow laboratory study, the Stevia natural sweetener, with regular use, lowers blood glucose and cholesterol levels. In addition, this product improves the functioning of the liver, pancreas and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. The drug can be used in the treatment of diseases of the joints, in which it is necessary to exclude the use of sugar. Honey grass is a means of preventing the development of hypoglycemic conditions that occur in diabetes mellitus. It can be used for diseases of the heart, skin, teeth, with violations of the digestive tract, atherosclerosis. Sweetener stimulates the adrenal medulla and, with regular use, increases the quality and standard of living. According to research, Paraguayans who used stevia instead of sugar do not have diseases such as being overweight and diabetes. According to statistics, each Paraguayan eats about ten kilograms of honey grass per year.
How to take "Stevia" and what is the dosage?
Stevia sweeteners are sold in various forms - dry leaves, tablets, liquid, tea bags. Dry leaves are brewed into tea. The dosage is 0.5 grams per 1 kilogram of body weight. 0.015 grams of stevia in liquid form replace one cube of sugar. When using stevia in tablet form, it is enough to dissolve one thing in 1 cup of the drink.
Side effects
Studies have shown that when taking the Stevia natural sweetener, there are no side effects and negative effects on the human body, provided that the dosage is observed even with prolonged use, unlike synthetic sweeteners. With a dosage violation, a hypertensive crisis may occur , as well as a rapid heartbeat. It is not recommended to use the sweetener for diabetics in conjunction with additional drugs to reduce sugar levels.
Stevia sweetener: harm or benefit?
There is a lot of debate in the world community over the replacement of regular sweets with stevia. Opponents of "Stevia" argue that for the stevioside that is part of the sweetener, the human body does not have enzymes to break down, so it removes the substance unchanged. In the intestine, this element breaks down into steviol and glucose. It is believed that steviol in its properties is similar to steroid hormones, therefore , it can cause hormonal imbalance, reduce sexual activity. However, studies conducted on chickens, which instead of water were given a solution of Stevia with a concentration of 5 grams per 100 milliliters, showed that the replacement of sugar does not cause a violation of the reproductive function. And also those consumers who have already tried the Stevia sweetener agree with this. Reviews of him confirm that there are no violations in the sexual sphere.
Customer opinion
Those who have already used the Stevia sweetener leave mixed reviews . So, some customers say that the drug has a pleasant taste. Others argue that it can be slightly bitter, which is not usual after consuming regular sugar. Consumers use Stevia not only as an additive to drinks, but also use it in homemade preparations for the winter, in baked goods, and make jam. However, difficulties arise with the correct dosage, you have to use the table for a more accurate calculation.