What are the pros and cons of switching to Stevia?

If your blood sugar levels are skyrocketing, you’re probably thinking about sacrificing sweet stuff in your diet — and everything that involves sugar, and worried about finding the best sugar reducer that would work for you. One of these sugar alternatives is Stevia. Stevia is a sweet herb widely known as nature’s zero-calorie sweetener.

But before you put Stevia in your cup of tea, let’s discuss the pros and cons of this natural sweetener:

THE PROS

Natural
Stevia products come from the leaves of the Stevia plant itself. It can be in dried and pulverized form. A long time ago, the Japanese first began to develop a non-caloric sweetener from Stevia, approved in 1970. Saccharin and other artificial sweeteners were banned, making Stevia the “holy grail of the food industry” in the era.

Zero carbohydrates, zero calories
Stevia is carb-free and calorie-free. People can very much enjoy every sip of leafy-sweet taste of their teas without worrying much about their diet.

No artificial ingredients
Look for stevia products in their purest form — dried leaf and pulverized. White Stevias have a sugar-like appearance and texture, which makes them unnatural and artificial because of the chemicals they used to achieve that form. Take note that the pure Stevia is green.

Better diabetes control
Stevia is 100% safe for diabetic people. It has no impact on blood sugar and insulin levels.

Helps manage cholesterol and weight
Sugar affects blood sugar levels. High levels can cause different complications like cholesterol abnormalities. Since Stevia doesn’t impact blood sugar and insulin levels, sweetening your food and beverages using this kind of sweetener may help you burn fat faster and manage your weight easier.

Cost-effective and easy to access
You don’t need to break your bank to get a pure, natural sweetener. Manufacturers of pure Stevia incur lesser cost than those with highly-processed Stevia products, thus the low price. You can get Stevia in different stores online. Note: Beware of the products that are marketed as “100% natural”. Always check the ingredients if it has fillers and additives.

These are some of the advantages of choosing Stevia as your alternative to sugar. But, what about the disadvantages?

THE CONS

It can taste bitter
Stevia can leave a bitter, licorice-like aftertaste if you put too much in your food or drink.

Unsafe varieties
The key to buying Stevia is to know what you are buying. Most of the Stevia brands in the market use fillers, additives, and chemicals to achieve the sugar-like color and remove the earthy taste of pure Stevia. Turn over any package of Stevia and check the ingredient list, and you’re likely to see more than just Stevia on it.

Now that you have a background with Stevia — decide if you’ll make the switch. To know more about this natural sweetener and making healthier food choices, go to: https://linaalta.com.ph/