Did you know that the global market for stevia is estimated to be a 1/2 BILLION dollar market? The US leads the world in sugar consumption (individuals consume 150-180lbs per person per year) and Americans are beginning to look to this green leaf as a healthier option for sweetness.
What’s the problem with white sugar (and hidden sugar) intake? Sugar wreaks havoc on the human body, causing everything from obesity and heart disease to stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer and suppressed immunity. Chances are you know you need to avoid processed white sugar, but are you one of the ones using the yellow, pink, blue or even brown packets hoping they are safe?
Artificial sweeteners still contribute to obesity and diabetes, even cancer and suppressed immunity-sometimes at a rate even higher than traditional sugar. Several studies even show that artificial sweeteners will create brain tumors, bladder cancer and damage to your central nerve system!
One might argue that sugar is natural-therefore what’s all the fuss. I’ll argue that there is nothing natural about a 12-step chemical process to produce a bleached highly refined granular powder that comes from sugar beets (typically GMO today to produce more sugar) and/or sugar cane (again GMO).
If you want to consume sugar the natural way eat beets and consider chewing on a stalk of sugar cane(which by the way requires some serious skill to open!
Stevia As A Healthy Alternative
If you are beginning to reduce your sugar intake and you want to avoid the dangers of artificial sweeteners, then stevia is by far the best alternative. Unlike honey (which is mostly fructose), agave(fructose) and maple syrup (sucrose) stevia does not actually contain any sugar, yet it tastes sweet.
Stevia rebaudianaor stevia, is an herb that grows in North and South America. Its white crystalline compound, called a stevioside, has zero calories and is about 100–300 times sweeter than table sugar. A systematic literature review found stevia superior to other high-potency sweeteners, especially benefiting people with Type 2 diabetes, those interested in decreasing caloric intake, and children.
Among its benefits, studies show steviol and isosteviol–the metabolic components of stevioside–offer anti-hyperglycemic (lowers blood sugar), anti-hypertensive (lowers blood pressure), anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diarrheal, diuretic, decreases LDL cholesterol, and immune-boosting benefits.
Interestingly enough, stevia is considered an “unsafe food additive” which is why you will almost NEVER see it in an ingredient list for commercially available foods. Stevia itself is only allowed to be sold as a dietary supplement. Trivial Note: Rebaudioside A (a derivative of the stevia plant) is not actually stevia, but a highly purified product of the stevia plant. It is the only FDA approved food additive available for commercial products. While all of this can sound confusing, the stevia market is quite easy to navigate-with a little help(remember the key to finding a great stevia is to check the ingredients-you want to see nothing but stevia! If you opt for stevia, your best option becomes a 100 percent pure, organic stevia with noadditives. Read labels very carefully: Many commercial and even better brands add dextrose (sugar),lactose (dairy), maltodextrin (corn), and other bulking agents. You don’t want those in your stevia. (The last two on the list below are the best in my opinion)
- Stevia In The Raw: Dextrose + Stevia Leaf Extract
- Stevita: Erythritol + Stevia Leaf Extract
- Trivia: Erythritol + Stevia Leaf Extract + Natural Flavors
- Now Stevia: Maltodextrin +Stevia Leaf Extract + Silica
- NuNaturals Stevia: Maltodextrin + Stevia Leaf Extract + Natural Flavors
- Kal Pure Stevia (Liquid): Stevia Extract + Vegetable Glycerin + Maltodextrin
- Nutramedix Stevia (Liquid): Stevia leaf extract + Ethanol
- Trader Joes (Powder): Stevia Leaf Extract + Lactose
- Trader Joes (Liquid): Stevia Leaf Extract + Organic Alcohol
- Sweet Leaf Stevia: Inulin Soluble Fiber + Stevia Leaf Extract
- Stevia Clear (Liquid): Stevia Leaf Extract + Water + Natural Flavors
Other natural sweeteners include Monk fruit, used in China for thousands of years to alleviate various conditions including sore throats and phlegm build-up, provides an antioxidant-rich sweetener that, like stevia, offers potential blood sugar-balancing and other health benefits.
Erythritol, another sugar alcohol that’s about 75–80 percent as sweet as sucrose, can also help prevent dental caries. Researchers conclude erythritol is non-toxic and well tolerated. Be aware excess amounts of these and other sugar alcohols like xylitol can create a laxative–AKA “I’ve got to run to the bathroom right now!”–effect, so proceed accordingly.
It’s worth noting that manufacturers often combine monk fruit with sugar alcohols. Just be aware that, like stevia, they sometimes add undesirable bulking agents, so read your labels carefully and only buy reputable brands.