Stevia harm. Stevioside benefit and harm Stevioside natural sugar substitute

Surely many of our readers are familiar with stevia. What's this? Someone will say that this is a high-quality vegetable sweetener, and they will be partly right. It is actually a medicinal herb. Today we will try to tell you more about this plant. With what diseases and how to take it, does it have contraindications?

Stevia: what is it?

Perennial plant, more precisely, small shrub with erect stems, sixty to eighty centimeters high from the Aster family, which includes about two hundred and sixty species . Stevia, benefits and harms which was known one and a half thousand years ago to the doctors of South America, has become known in the modern world only recently.

Thanks to the efforts of Professor Vavilov, stevia was brought to the territory of the former Soviet Union. What kind of plant this is, no one in our country knew yet. For a long time, products based on it were part of rations for astronauts and senior officials in the USSR. Stevia has also been studied in other countries. The benefits of this plant every year found more and more evidence. Scientists from all over the world talked about it.

Stevia is a herb whose stems die off every year, and new shoots take their place, on which small leaves are located. On one bush there can be from six hundred to twelve thousand sweet leaves. Based on numerous studies, modern scientists have identified the unique properties that this plant possesses.

Spreading

In the northeast of Paraguay and its neighboring part of Brazil, on a tributary of the Parana River, stevia is widely distributed. Even children here know that this sweet plant has medicinal properties. Over time, the whole world learned about this herb. Under natural conditions, it grows in the highlands, so stevia has adapted to rather sharp temperature changes. Now she is grown in almost all countries of Southeast Asia.

For industrial purposes, today it is grown in the Krasnodar Territory and in the Crimea stevia. The benefits and harms of this plant well studied, which allows it to be used in the food industry, cosmetology, but this herb is most in demand in medicine.

Compound

The leaves of the plant have the highest amount of nutrients. They include:

cellulose;
polysaccharides;
glycosides;
vegetable lipids;
vitamins C, A, P, E and trace elements;
pectin substances;
essential oils.

Glycosides - stevisiodes give the plant sweetness. They are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. But besides this, they are phytosteroids that are involved in the synthesis of hormones in our body.

natural sweetener

The taste of stevia is most pronounced when eating young leaves. The sweetest are the leaves grown in natural climatic conditions and with sufficient sunlight. The plant has a pleasant and slightly sweet aroma. The taste has hints of sweetness, accompanied by a bitter aftertaste.

Despite the increased sweetness that stevia has, it cannot harm the body, but the benefits of its use are obvious. More than twenty amino acids and vitamins contained in its leaves make it possible to combine excellent taste with healing properties. The plant has an antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect on the human body, thanks to which traditional healers successfully use it for colds and viral infections.

The taste qualities of the plant made it possible to call it the best natural sweetener in the world. Not every plant is distinguished by such rapid solubility, the complete absence of side effects, a huge number of medicinal properties and at the same time a pleasant taste. What else is attractive about stevia?

This plant does not cause insulin release and helps to normalize blood sugar levels.
Stevia, which has not been found to be harmful even with prolonged use, is resistant to high temperatures, which allows it to be used in baking and hot drinks.

Healing properties

Honey grass (stevia) has the following beneficial properties:

liquefies and removes mucus;
enhances gastric secretion;
has a slight diuretic effect;
prevents rheumatism;
relieves swelling;
reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol and blood sugar
strengthens blood vessels and normalizes blood pressure;
normalizes metabolism;
prevents diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, pancreatitis;
helps in the treatment of bronchitis.

Stevia has become a salvation for people suffering from diabetes and tired of the constant restrictions on sweets. Today, many manufacturers add it to special products for such patients - cookies, yogurt, chocolate. The natural sweetness does not harm diabetics, their body accepts this sweetener.

As you can see, a truly unique plant is stevia. Its benefits for the human body have been confirmed by numerous studies by Russian and foreign scientists.

Release forms

Many people are interested in stevia sweetener. The price for it depends on the form of release and volume. Today, stevia-based preparations are produced in various forms, but first it should be said about the indicators that are inherent in all types of these products: carbohydrates, fats and calories are absent. Zero glycemic index.

Sachets

The composition includes: stevia extract, which has a sweet pleasant taste, without foreign aftertastes; erythrol is a natural filler derived from starch and used for ease of dosing: 1 sachet corresponds to the level of sweetness two teaspoons of sugar. Packings come in 25, 50 and 100 sachets.

Price - from 100 rubles.

Powders

The price for 20 grams is 525 rubles.

Tablets

1 tablet corresponds to 1 teaspoon of sugar. Available in packs of 100, 150 and 200 pieces.

Price - from 140 rubles.

liquid extract

It tastes like strawberry, raspberry, chocolate, vanilla, mint, etc. Four to five drops are enough to sweeten a glass of drink. Stevia extract is packaged in thirty-gram plastic or glass bottles.

Price - from 295 rubles.

Are there any contraindications to the use of stevia?

Scientists have not yet identified the harmful properties of this plant. However, individual limitations still exist. First of all, this is stevia intolerance, which can be expressed in the form of allergic reactions. In this case, its use must be stopped.

At the very beginning of the intake, there may be other negative reactions of the body: digestive disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, dizziness. They usually pass very quickly.

It should not be forgotten that stevia significantly reduces blood sugar, therefore, while taking such a sweetener, it is necessary to control this indicator.

People with hypotension (low blood pressure) should take stevia with caution to avoid lowering blood pressure. When purchasing stevia in the form of a powder or tablets, pay attention to the composition. It should not contain methanol and ethanol, which are sometimes used to reduce the sweetness of the drug. Their toxicity can harm your body.

Stevia Reviews

This amazing natural sweetener has no strict contraindications. For many of our compatriots, stevia has become a discovery. What kind of plant, many did not know before. Acquaintance with him, judging by the reviews, occurs most often after the doctor fixes an increase in blood sugar levels. People who began to use this sweetener note that after a month of regular use, the rise in blood sugar levels slows down, and with longer use it decreases.

Leave reviews and patients with high blood pressure. They note that with regular use of stevia, pressure normalizes, there are no sharp jumps.

This weed was not disregarded by women who watch their figure. By cutting out sugar and switching to stevia, many brag about their weight loss achievements. Reviews about this plant are mostly positive, although someone did not like its taste with pronounced bitterness.

Stevioside is a plant-derived glycoside used as a sweetener. It contains zero calories and carbohydrates. In this regard, this substance is recommended for use by people with diabetes or those on a diet.

In addition to stevioside, there are many sugar substitutes on the market. However, due to the fact that it is completely plant-based, this sweetener has gained great popularity among consumers.

Stevia and stevioside. Main differences

Very often people do not see the difference between stevia and stevioside. Stevia is a plant native to America. Its leaves are sweet in taste. A few centuries ago, the indigenous people of the country prepared tea from the leaves of this plant. The locals called it "sweet grass", although in fact there is no sugar at all. The sweet taste is given to the plant by the glycoside contained in the leaves.

Stevioside is a derivative substance obtained from the leaves of stevia. It is widely used as a sweetener. Its main advantage is the absence of calories and carbohydrates. In addition, this substance does not affect blood sugar levels.

People who lead a healthy lifestyle and watch their figure prefer to completely replace sugar with this substance and include it in their daily diet.

Now in specialized stores and departments you can buy both natural stevia leaves and a natural sweetener obtained from them. The leaves of the plant are used to make tea. It is enough just to pour boiling water over the leaves and after a few minutes the leaves will give off their sweet taste.

The cost of stevia leaves is much lower than that of stevioside. This is due to the fact that the plants do not require any additional processing. It is enough to dry them and pack them in bags. This operation does not require the purchase of special equipment.

The cost of stevia leaves ranges from 200-400 rubles per 100 grams of raw materials. However, it may vary depending on several factors: the manufacturer, the individual margin. By purchasing leaves in a package of more than 1 kilogram at once, the buyer can save about 50%.

For connoisseurs of tea, there is an opportunity to purchase this drink with stevia leaves. There is no need to add sugar to this drink. In addition, teas are produced, which include various flavoring and aromatic additives.

Useful properties of stevioside

This sweetener has become more widely used than natural stevia leaves. The main reason for this was the ease of use. When cooking or baking, it is easier to use powder or tablets than to use a decoction of the leaves.

Basically, its leaves are used to make tea or other drinks. The resulting decoction of the leaves has a specific taste that not everyone likes, and the smell of grass is heard. Therefore, to avoid this smell in the dish, stevioside is used.

However, this sweetener has several negative properties compared to sugar. At the initial stage of the use of stevioside, it takes some time to determine its optimal dose for certain dishes.

It also has a special taste. It should be used in small doses, otherwise an increase in the amount leads to an increase in the sweetness of the dish and a specific taste.

The main purpose of the use of stevioside is the general improvement of the body. It is used as a sweetener for the following reasons:

diabetes disease;
healthy lifestyle;
dieting or maintaining a constant weight.

People with diabetes cannot incorporate sugar into their food, so they use stevioside or another sweetener to sweeten their meals. The benefit of this is to maintain stable blood glucose levels. So, a diabetic patient using a sweetener:

can normalize the level of sugar in the body;
reduce the risk of complications of the disease, for example, the risk of diabetic coma;
reduce the risk of late complications of diabetes.

Those who monitor their weight note the benefits of using stevioside. As its main advantage, the complete absence of calories is noted. And if a person who monitors his weight switches to this sweetener, then he:

reduces the amount of calories consumed during the day;
reduces the production of insulin, which converts glucose into fat stored under the skin;
confectionery and pastries with a sweetener take on a different taste and this contributes to their consumption in smaller quantities.

When consuming stevioside for a long time, a person can easily maintain a slim figure. If you are overweight, then replacing sugar with stevioside will help to cope with this problem. Not only excess weight will go away, but also the health problems that accompany it.

Experts call a number of useful properties of stevioside. However, at present they are either little studied or not proven. It is noted that this supplement strengthens the immune system, supplies a person with some essential trace elements, and even removes pinworms from the body.

In practice, the property of stevioside to reduce blood pressure has been tested. The study included people with type 2 diabetes.

Negative effects on the body of stevioside

When consumed in moderation, stevioside has been proven to have a number of positive properties. However, with its uncontrolled consumption, a number of diseases and complications can occur, such as:

stevioside contributes to the development of cancer, as it contains substances with a carcinogenic effect;
can lead to a violation in the development of the fetus, so it is not recommended during pregnancy at any time;
has a mutagenic effect;
affects the liver and reduces its functions.

Also, some people noted that when using stevioside, they had bloating, they felt sick. In some cases, there were headaches and dizziness, all the muscles ached. You may also be allergic to this supplement.

However, there are a number of denials of the negative effects of stevioside on the body. It is noted that it does not affect the functioning of the liver and does not cause cancer.

Its use causes minimal harm to health and is therefore approved in many countries for long-term use. This is precisely the proof of its safety.

Where to buy stevioside

This sweetener is the most consumed among buyers. It is sold in pharmacies without a prescription. It can also be ordered online on specialized sites. The most popular sweeteners containing stevioside are:

Stevia Plus. This supplement is available in tablet form. The package contains 150 tablets. The cost of packing stevia plus is within 200 rubles. You can buy the supplement both in pharmacies and online stores. In addition, the supplement contains several vitamins.
Stevia extract. Sold in cans weighing 50 grams. There are two types of stevia extract produced in Paraguay. One of them has a degree of sweetness of 250 units, the second - 125 units. Hence the price difference. The first type costs about 1000 rubles per jar, with a lower degree of sweetness - 600 rubles. Mostly sold online.
Stevia extract in a dispenser. Sold in a pack containing 150 tablets. One tablet corresponds to a teaspoon of sugar. This dosage is convenient for use. However, the price of this supplement is slightly overpriced.

Stevioside Suite

This name of the sweetener is considered the leader among its purchases on the Internet. It is produced in the form of a powder and packaged in jars equipped with a dispenser, 40 grams each. The unit cost is 400 rubles. It has a high degree of sweetness and in terms of corresponds to 8 kilograms of sugar.

Suite is also available in other forms. It is possible to purchase a package weighing 1 kilogram with varying degrees of sweetness. The acquisition of such packaging will be beneficial for people with diabetes or dieting.

This pack will last a long time. The cost of 1 kg of Sweet stevioside will cost around 4.0-8.0 thousand rubles per pack, depending on the degree of sweetness.

Also, this sweetener is available in the form of sticks. The mass of each stick is 0.2 grams and in terms of equivalent to approximately 10 grams of sugar. The cost of a package of 100 sticks is within 500 rubles.

However, buying sticks is not profitable enough for the price. The only advantage of such packaging is its convenience. It fits easily in your purse or pocket, and you can take it with you to any event or to work.

Stevia is native to South and Central America. This plant is similar in appearance to mint. Its dimensions can reach one meter. Stevia grass is often called "honey" because it contains stevioside, a natural analogue of sugar. This substance is rich in a lot of useful properties, and its taste is much sweeter and more pleasant than traditional sugar.

Stevia is used in various industries - medicine, pharmaceuticals and cooking. It can be used as dry or fresh leaves, powder or tablets. Fresh shoots can be added to various dishes - salads, soups and drinks.

About how useful this plant is and how to use it at home, we will consider further.

What is stevia?

Stevia is a perennial herb from the Asteraceae family. More than 500 varieties of this flower are known. In the industrial industry, only one type is used - Stevia rebaudiana.

The beneficial properties of stevia have been known since ancient times. But the natural sugar substitute became widely popular only in the 50s. During this period, scientists became interested in the rich healing composition of this plant.

To date, stevia herb is recognized as the best natural sugar substitute. Its use does not lead to a set of extra pounds, which makes it especially popular among losing weight. calories of this healthy sweetener is only 20 calories per 100 grams of product.

Also, "honey" grass is a great option for those with a sweet tooth. stevia hundreds of times sweeter and tastier than regular sugar, and its use, unlike the latter, is absolutely safe for health.

What are the benefits of stevia herb?

As already mentioned, the stevia herb has a lot of healing properties. It contains a number of useful vitamins (A, D, F), ascorbic acid, as well as trace elements - potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron. The plant has a high content of fiber and essential oils.

The use of stevia leaves, dry or fresh, contributes to boost immunity, and also has a positive effect on work cardiovascular and endocrine system. Grass is consumed with hypertension, obesity and other diseases.

This natural sweetener does not cause allergies at all. This makes it especially useful to use.

What is the secret of such natural sweetness? The leaves of this plant contain two substances - stevioside and rebaudioside that give stevia sweet, honey taste. Due to this, the leaves of this plant are used to create various powders, tablets and herbal teas.

Stevioside has an anti-inflammatory effect, promotes lower cholesterol and lower blood sugar. Also, this natural antiseptic has a beneficial effect on blood circulation.

The leaves of this herb have a disinfectant and anti-inflammatory effect. Scientists have also shown anti-cancer properties stevia. Kaempferol, which is part of the herb, can slow down the growth and division of cancer cells.

Application

As already mentioned, stevia leaves are widely used in industry. The modern market offers us products in the form of dry raw materials, powders, teas, extracts and aromatic oils.

The pharmacological properties of this plant made it possible to develop various drugs and natural supplements. Pharmaceutical companies produce tablets, pastes, various teas and powders based on it.

To date, the most popular are stevia-based sweetener tablets as well as drugs in the form of bads. You can buy them at any pharmacy. It is important to note that their use is beneficial and safe for health. Some worldwide organizations claim that consuming stevia is harmful to the body, but this is not true. The plant is rich in useful trace elements and vitamins, unlike simple sugar.

Application in traditional medicine

In folk medicine, stevia is used to treat sore throats (bronchitis, tonsillitis), allergic skin rashes, and diseases of the digestive system.

For example, effective treatment for bronchitis and dry cough will be such a recipe: dilute stevia extract in 200 ml of water. Drink three times a day.

With a stomach ulcer, this remedy is recommended: take 2 tablespoons of St. John's wort and mix them with 1 tsp. stevia powder. Boil in a water bath for 15-20 minutes. Then cool and strain. Drink a decoction of 1/3 cup three times a day (half an hour before meals). This recipe is also suitable for the treatment of 12 duodenal ulcers.

With gastritis, a remedy based on mint and stevia is useful: the ingredients must be mixed in a ratio of 2: 1, pour two glasses of boiling water. Leave for 20-30 minutes, then strain. Drink half a glass twice a day (30 minutes before meals). The course is 14 days.

Effective remedy for psoriasis. For this recipe, you will need to make special lotions: take 3 large, chopped cloves of garlic and 1 teaspoon of stevia. Stir and pour 250 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 8-10 hours. Apply to problem areas 1-2 times a day.

Recipe for eczema. For the treatment of eczema, special lotions are used. To prepare them, you need to take 5 chopped fresh blackberry leaves and mix them with 1 tbsp. l. Stevia powder, pour 200 ml of warm water. Let it brew for 2-3 minutes. After that, you need to apply warm lotions to the damaged areas of the skin for 20-30 minutes.

Folk remedy for bronchial asthma: take 2 tbsp. l. crushed strawberry leaves, mix with 2 tsp. stevia and pour it all with two glasses of boiling water. Let it brew for 4 hours, then strain well. Drink three times a day, 20 minutes before meals.

Recipe for hypertension: for cooking, you will need motherwort grass (2 tablespoons) and stevia grass (1 tablespoon). The ingredients are poured into 200 ml of boiling water and infused for 12 hours. The resulting infusion is consumed 50 ml three times a day, 40-50 minutes before meals.

In the treatment of atherosclerosis: you will need 1 spoon of sowing buckwheat and 2 liters. stevia. The ingredients must be brewed in 0.5 liters of boiling water in an enameled vessel, first covered with a lid. Insist 2-3 hours. Drink half a glass three times a day.

With caries and periodontal disease. This plant is known to inhibit the reproduction of bacteria and pathogenic organisms. traditional medicine recommends using it for rinsing the mouth, in order to avoid caries and other unpleasant diseases. To do this, you need to dilute one spoon of the plant extract in a glass of water. rinse the teeth with the resulting solution 3-4 times a day. It is also recommended to chew stevia leaves by rubbing them on the gums.

In cosmetology

Stevia leaves are also used in cosmetics. This plant is used to treat problem skin, burns and various inflammatory reactions. Also, various masks and shampoos are prepared from this miraculous herb.

At home, you can prepare excellent masks that allow you to rejuvenate and improve your skin.

Recipe for dry skin

Take fresh stevia leaves and grind them in a blender or mortar until a creamy mass is formed. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and 1 yolk to the resulting mixture. Mix and apply on the skin for 15 minutes. This mask based on stevia herb contains a lot of useful properties. It nourishes the skin, makes it taut and tender.

For oily skin, the components need to be changed: add protein and a spoonful of lemon juice to stevia. Mix thoroughly. Apply to the skin for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with cool water. The procedure is recommended to be applied 2 times a week.

The properties of stevia allow the herb to be used as a decoction to strengthen hair. For thin, weak and dull hair, a special recipe for daily use is suitable.

Recipe for thick and healthy hair

Take dry grass and insist it for three hours. The ratio is two tablespoons of decoction per liter of water. I pre-wash my head and then rinse it with a useful miracle infusion.

How to use stevia for diabetes?

The stevia plant is especially popular among diabetics. Leaves of this herb (as tablets, powder, or raw) recommended for use in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The use of stevia helps to reduce blood sugar levels, as well as the natural decrease in resistance (resistance) of diabetics to insulin.

The herb is especially beneficial for type 2 diabetes. This type of disease leads to obesity and high blood cholesterol. The use of stevia herb avoids the dangerous stage of the disease. Plant reduces the risk of gaining excess weight, as it does not allow fats to accumulate in the body, as well as removes excess cholesterol.

In the treatment of diabetes, Stevia herb is used in the form of:

teas and infusions;
powder and tablets;
liquid extract.

Infusion recipe:

Take stevia powder (2 tablespoons) and 3 tablespoons. l. dried hypericum. Mix the ingredients and place in a container. Next, pour boiling water over everything, cover and wrap with a towel. Leave for at least two hours. Filter through a sieve. Drink 1/3 cup before meals three times a day.

Stevia in cooking: healthy recipes

Due to its low calorie content and its beneficial properties, the plant can be used as a substitute for sugar even during weight loss.

Honey grass is often used in baking. As an introduction, we bring to your attention a delicious and healthy pie recipe.

Stevia pies

Ingredients:

flour - 3 tbsp;
butter - 200 g;
eggs - 3 pcs;
stevia powder - 1.5 liters per 1 liter of water;
berries to taste (raspberries, currants) - 200 g.

Preparing shortbread dough:

Beat the eggs well. Add stevia powder to the resulting consistency and mix. Next, add flour to the resulting mass, mix well. Melt the butter in a water bath and mix it with the previously obtained mass. From the resulting consistency, knead the dough.
Roll it out and place it in a baking dish. Put the filling on top in the form of any fruit or berries. Then drizzle with stevia solution. The edges of the dough can be wrapped inside. Bake the cake at 180 degrees for 30 minutes.

Compote with stevia

For the preparation of compotes, any fruits and berries are suitable - pears, apples, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, etc. Stevia grass is added to compotes in the amount of:

1/3 tsp per glass (or 15 g of dry grass leaves) for apple compote;
60-70 g for strawberry;
40-50 g for raspberry.

In jelly, it is recommended to add 1.5 grams of stevia herb infusion per 1 cup.

Stevia syrup

Pour 20 grams of stevia leaves in a gauze bag with a glass of boiling water, and cook over low heat until thickened. The readiness indicator of the syrup is a viscous consistency that does not spread. This natural sweetener is an excellent substitute for sugar syrup.

Contraindications

The dangers of the stevia plant are said quite contradictory. Honey grass among the people is in special demand, as it has long been famous for its beneficial properties.

Studies have shown that this plant is absolutely safe for health. However, there are a number of contraindications that you should pay attention to.

individual intolerance to the substances that make up the herb;
hypotension (the plant helps to lower blood pressure);
pregnancy and lactation;
tendency to allergic reactions;
blood diseases;
hormonal disorders.

However, the myth about the dangers of stevia is ambiguous. In some countries, this plant is one of the main substitutes for sugar, while in others, such as the United States, it is banned due to its harmful effects.

The FDA has classified the herb stevia as a "Food of Undetermined Safety." With what it can be connected? One of the main "hidden" reasons is competition and financial factor.

In Russia and some European countries, various natural supplements are produced in the form of tablets and powders, the use of which is recommended by national health organizations.

In terms of its sweetness, the plant surpasses sugar by 15-20 times, shocking everyone with its low calorie content - 100 g of the product contains only 18 kcal. Such characteristics are not inherent in all types of plants. To replace sugar and for preventive purposes, honey stevia is used. The remaining subspecies growing in natural conditions are not so valuable, because they contain natural sweet substances in too small quantities.

Plant features

Stevia is a lover of heat and dry climate, therefore it grows in subtropical latitudes. The homeland of the plant is considered to be South and Central America (Brazil, Paraguay). It grows in semi-arid conditions, both in the highlands and on the plains. Stevia seeds have very poor germination, so it is propagated vegetatively.

Due to its excellent taste, as well as high antioxidant abilities, stevia is actively cultivated by eastern countries - Japan, China, Indonesia, and Thailand. Breeding and selection of new sweet species are carried out in Ukraine, Israel, and the USA.

It is also popular to grow stevia at home as a houseplant. After wintering, the grass is planted in open ground. Over the summer, a small bush grows beautifully, allowing you to collect an impressive crop of sweet leaves.

Botanical description

Stevia is a herbaceous perennial bush, formed as a result of active branching of the main stems. Its height can reach 120 cm. Under adverse climatic conditions, stevia does not branch and grows like a grass with a thick stem about 60 cm long.

root system. Long and even cord-like roots form a fibrous stevia rooting system, penetrating deep into the soil up to 40 cm.
stems. Lateral branches extend from the main stem. The shape is cylindrical. Active branching forms a voluminous bush of a trapezoid shape.
Leaves . 2-3 cm long, have an obovate shape and a slightly crenate edge. Dense in structure, the leaves do not have stipules, sit on a shortened petiole. The placement is cross-opposite.
Flowers. Stevia flowers are white, small, collected 5-7 pieces in small baskets.
Fruits. During the fruiting period, small boxes appear on the bushes, spindle-shaped seeds 1-2 mm long spill out of them.

When growing a plant in room conditions, to form a bush, it is necessary to regularly cut off the tops of the stems.

Procurement of raw materials

Stevia leaves are used as a medicinal raw material and natural sweetener. They are harvested before flowering, when buds appear on the shoots of the plant. It is at this time that the concentration of sweet substances in the leaves becomes maximum.

To harvest the leaves, the stems of the plant are cut off, retreating 10 cm from the ground. After cutting, the lower leaves are torn off, and the stems are laid out on a cotton fabric in a thin layer or hung tied up in small panicles.

Stevia should be dried in the shade, with good ventilation. In hot weather, the stems dry out completely in 10 hours, which ensures the high quality of plant materials. To maintain the maximum concentration of steviol glycosides, it is recommended to harvest the plant using dryers.

The quality of dried leaves and their sweetness depend on the drying time. At high humidity and low temperature conditions, this leads to the loss of 1/3 of the total amount of steviols in 3 days.

After complete drying, the leaves are removed from the stems, packed in paper or plastic bags. Low humidity and good ventilation allow raw materials to be stored for 2 years.

At the time of discovery, stevia became not only the leader in the content of sweet substances, but also the plant with the greatest antioxidant effect. The complex chemical composition will help preserve youth, neutralize the influence of negative exogenous factors, and restore the functioning of damaged cells. The plant contains a variety of biologically active substances.

The chemical composition of the plant allows it to be used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, as a remedy with versatile pharmacological properties:

it is a source of vitamins and microelements;
blood pressure stabilizer;
immunomodulatory agent;
plant with antitoxic properties;
hypoglycemic agent;
plant with antimicrobial effect.

The high concentration of glycosides allows the plant to be used as a sweetener and industrially processed to produce sweeteners. Small doses of stevia give foods a sweet taste, rich infusions and decoctions have a bitter aftertaste due to the increased concentration of steviol glycosides.

The benefits of stevia for different body systems

The beneficial properties of stevia are actively used by traditional and folk medicine, for the treatment and prevention of many diseases.

Cardiovascular

Stevia is able to regulate blood pressure. Small doses help to reduce it. High doses, on the contrary, stimulate an increase in pressure. The mild, gradual action of the plant is completely safe for hypo- and hypertensive patients. Also, the property of stevia has been proven to normalize the heart rate and the strength of heart contractions. A positive effect on the vessels allows you to eliminate congestion, spasm, and normalize the tone of the venous walls. The herb reduces the concentration of bad cholesterol in the blood, helps to eliminate the plaques formed on the walls of the arteries. The plant can be regularly consumed internally for the treatment and prevention of:

vegetovascular dystonia;
ischemic heart disease;
hypertension;
myocardial infarction;
atherosclerosis;
varicose veins.

With fluctuations in blood pressure and its sharp jumps, dose selection should be very careful. The focus is on the well-being of the patient.

Endocrine

The most common use of stevia leaves is to normalize blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus. The effect is due to inhibition of glucose absorption. Against the background of the use of stevia, diabetics note an improvement in well-being, as well as a decrease in the need for insulin from outside. With the constant use of the plant, the dosage of the hormone is gradually reduced.

The herb is able to restore the work of pancreatic cells. In some cases of type 2 diabetes, there is a complete recovery after the use of stevia.

The plant improves the production of thyroid hormones, normalizes the level of sex hormones. Macro- and microelements necessary for hormonal synthesis, normal functioning of the endocrine system are contained in the leaves of the plant.

immune

Vitamins and macronutrients that are part of stevia activate the body's defenses. This is useful when immunity is reduced due to previous diseases, during the cold season. The ability of stevia to eliminate the reactive response of the immune system to allergens entering the body is known. This effect is necessary for allergic reactions such as urticaria and dermatitis, as well as for the treatment and prevention of the following autoimmune skin diseases:

psoriasis;
eczema;
idiopathic dermatitis;
seborrhea.

The antitumor effect of stevia is based on the ability of the plant to neutralize and eliminate free radicals. The same mechanism underlies the slowing down of the aging process by grass. The antimicrobial and antifungal properties of stevia help in the treatment of wounds, including weeping, purulent, trophic ulcers, and fungal skin lesions.

digestive

Stevia has a beneficial effect on all digestive organs. The plant normalizes the secretion of digestive juices and acidity in the stomach, improving the absorption of food. Enveloping properties are useful for gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.

The use of stevia is recommended for weight loss. In the fight against obesity, not only the ability of the plant to replace sugar, reducing the calorie content of food consumed, but also to prevent the occurrence of insulin surges, the cause of sudden and severe bouts of hunger, is appropriate.

nervous

Stevia restores the functioning of nerve fibers, normalizes the conduction of impulses through them. The plant helps fight migraine attacks. Stevia is also known to have a sedative effect. The use of drugs helps to cope with the following conditions:

eliminates anxiety attacks;
fights insomnia;
promotes concentration;
neutralizes nervous tension;
helps fight chronic fatigue;
treats depression and blues;
activates the internal potential of the body;
has adaptogenic properties;
increases endurance.

Daily moderate use of stevia is recommended for athletes, as well as with an increase in psychological and physical stress, as an anti-stress and light tonic.

Non-medical use of raw materials

Stevia is recommended as a safe sweetener for diabetics. Tablets are used, the active substance of which is stevioside - an extract from a plant. Arnebia's natural stevia sugar substitute is packaged in convenient automatic dispensers, similar to Milford's, but contains a better and safer alternative to its analogue aspartame.

The stevia sweetener is actively used to create a line of diet food from the Leovit trademark. This sweetener is used in cereals and desserts. For diabetics, there are even stevia-based chocolates and vanilla extract for homemade confectionery.

Stevia infusions are also used for cosmetic purposes - to eliminate age spots, lighten the skin and rejuvenate it. Known ability of the plant to normalize the condition of the scalp, eliminate dandruff, including seborrheic origin. The use of dietary supplements with stevia has a positive effect on the appearance of the skin.

homemade recipes

Dry extract of stevia is manufactured industrially, contains sweet substances from the plant, is called "Stevioside". At the same time, the manufacturer does not aim to preserve the entire chemical composition of the herb in the extract. It is for this reason that for a comprehensive recovery of the body, for the purpose of losing weight, preventing and treating diseases, the use of stevia in the form of dried or fresh leaves is recommended.

Dosage forms prepared according to special recipes can be used externally, used in cooking to improve the taste of dishes, tea, coffee. Stevia syrup is prepared separately, which is used instead of sugar. A recipe for herbal tea is popular, which is drunk as an independent drink or added to another drink.

Infusion

20 g of crushed leaves fall asleep in a thermos.
Pour in a glass of boiling water.
Leave to infuse throughout the day.
Filter, pour the cake with half a glass of boiling water.
Strain to the first infusion after eight hours.

Syrup

Prepare an infusion of the plant according to the previous recipe.
Place it in a heavy bottomed saucepan.
Evaporate over low heat until thick, characteristic of syrup.
Readiness is checked by dropping the product on a saucer - the drop should not spread.

Decoction

Two tablespoons of leaves pour a glass of boiling water.
Bring to a boil, cook over low heat for 30 minutes.
The water is drained, the leaves are poured with half a glass of boiling water.
The mixture is insisted for 30 minutes, after which it is filtered to the first broth.

Extract

20 g of leaves are poured with a glass of alcohol or vodka.
Heat over low heat or in a water bath for 30 minutes, avoiding boiling.
After a short cooling, the mixture is filtered.

herbal tea

One tablespoon without a slide of whole or chopped stevia leaves is poured with a glass of boiling water.
After 20 minutes of infusion, tea can be consumed.

If stevia is taken for prevention, it is enough to replace it with sugar consumed daily. For the treatment of diseases, obtaining a tonic effect, it is recommended to drink herbal tea from the leaves.

In pharmacies, you can buy a ready-made extract from the plant - a white free-flowing powder in jars or sachets. They cook pastries, compotes, cereals with it. For brewing tea, it is better to purchase stevia leaf powder or filter bags with crushed raw materials.

Of the dietary supplements, the Stevia Plus sugar substitute in tablets is popular. In addition to stevioside, this preparation contains chicory, as well as licorice extract and vitamin C. This composition allows the use of a sweetener as an additional source of inulin, flavonoids, and amino acids.

It is also known about the practice of using fresh stevia. Crushed leaves are applied to wounds, burns, trophic ulcers. This is a way to relieve pain, burning, accelerate healing. For internal use, brew two or three leaves of stevia in a glass of boiling water. According to reviews, it is better to use Crimean stevia fresh.

Security Information

The herb honey stevia is considered the safest and most low-allergenic natural sweetener, which allows it to be used even for children. The age limit is three years. Until this age, the chemical composition of stevia leaves can have an unpredictable effect on the child's body.

Stevia preparations are not recommended for pregnant women, although it has been proven that small doses of the plant do not have teratogenic and embryotoxic effects. But due to the complexity of dosing and different taste preferences, it is better to minimize the use of stevia leaves when carrying a child. Stevia is best avoided while breastfeeding due to its unproven safety for babies.

The plant has no side effects. Among the direct contraindications - only individual intolerance, which occurs extremely rarely.

Comparing the medicinal properties and contraindications of stevia, we can conclude that this plant is a way to improve the functioning of the whole organism, to ensure beauty and youth for many years. Reviews of the stevia herb extract confirm the excellent taste and ability of the plant to completely eliminate sugar from the human diet.

Stevia is made from the medicinal plant of the same name, which has numerous beneficial properties and is considered the sweetest plant in the world. It contains a unique molecular component called stevioside, which gives the plant an extraordinary sweetness.

Stevia is also popularly known as honey grass. All this time, the medicinal herb has been used to normalize human blood glucose and prevent diabetes. Today, stevia has gained not only popularity, but also widespread use in the food industry.

Features of the Stevia sweetener

Stevia is fifteen times sweeter than regular refined sugar, and the extract itself, which contains stevioside, can be 100-300 times the level of sweetness. This feature is used by science in order to create a natural sweetener.

However, not only this makes the natural sweetener an ideal option for diabetics. Most sweeteners made from natural and synthetic ingredients have significant drawbacks.

The main disadvantage of many sweeteners is the high calorie content of the product, which is harmful to health. Stevia, having stevioside in its composition, is considered a non-caloric sweetener.
Many low-calorie synthetic sweeteners have a nasty side effect. By changing the metabolism of sugar in the blood, there is a significant increase in body weight. The natural Stevia substitute does not have such disadvantages, unlike analogues. Studies have shown that stevioside does not affect glucose metabolism, and even, on the contrary, reduces blood sugar levels in humans.

The sweetener in some cases has a pronounced taste of leaching grass. However, today there are sweeteners that use stevioside extract.

Stevioside has no aftertaste, is widely used in the food industry, is available as a food additive and is referred to as E960. In the pharmacy, a similar sweetener can be purchased in the form of small brown tablets.

Benefits and harms of Stevia sweetener

The natural Stevia substitute is widely used today in most countries and has excellent reviews. The sweetener has become especially popular in Japan, where Stevia has been used for over thirty years, and during all this time, side effects have not been identified. Scientists from a sunny country have proven that the sweetener does not harm human health. At the same time, Stevia is used here not only as a food supplement, but is also added instead of sugar to diet drinks.

Meanwhile, in such countries, the US, Canada and the EU do not officially recognize the sweetener as a sweetener. Here Stevia is sold in the form of dietary supplements. In the food industry, the sweetener is not used, despite the fact that it does not harm human health. The main reason for this is the lack of research that confirms the safety of Stevia as a natural sweetener. At the same time, these countries are primarily interested in the sale of synthetic low-calorie substitutes, around which, despite the proven harm of these products, a lot of money is spinning.

The Japanese, in turn, proved by their research that Stevia does not harm human health. Experts say that today there are few sweeteners with such low levels of toxicity. Stevioside extract has been tested numerous times for toxicity, and all studies have shown no adverse effects on the body. As the reviews show, the drug does not harm the digestive system, does not increase body weight, does not change cells and chromosomes.

Stevioside has antibacterial functions, so it can be used in the treatment of small wounds in the form of burns, scratches and bruises. It contributes to the rapid healing of wounds, rapid blood clotting and getting rid of infection. Often, stevioside extract is used in the treatment of acne, fungal infections. Stevioside helps babies get rid of pain when their first teeth erupt, which is confirmed by numerous reviews.

Stevia is used to prevent colds, strengthens the immune system, and is an excellent tool in the treatment of diseased teeth. Stevioside extract is used to prepare Stevia tincture, which is mixed with an antiseptic decoction of calendula and horseradish tincture in a 1 to 1 ratio. Rinse your mouth with the resulting drug to relieve pain and possible suppuration.

Also Stevia, in addition to the stevioside extract, contains useful minerals, antioxidants, vitamins A, E and C, essential oils.

With prolonged use of dietary supplements, vitamin complexes, significant consumption of fruits and vegetables, hypervitaminosis or an excess of vitamins in the body can be observed. If a rash has formed on the skin, peeling has begun, you should seek the advice of a doctor.

Sometimes Stevia may not be tolerated by some people due to the individual characteristics of the organism. Including the sweetener is not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. And yet, there is simply the most real and natural, which is considered the best sugar substitute.

Healthy people do not need to use Stevia as their primary food supplement. Due to the abundance of sweets in the body, insulin is released. If you maintain this state constantly, the sensitivity to an increase in sugar in the body may decrease. The main thing in this case is to adhere to the norm and not overdo it with a sweetener.

Use of Stevia in food

Natural sweetener has positive reviews and is widely used in the preparation of drinks and fruit salads, where you want to sweeten the taste. Stevia is added to jams instead of sugar, and is used in baked goods when baking.

In some cases, stevioside may be bitter. This reason is primarily associated with an excess of Stevia, which was added to the product. To get rid of the bitter taste, you need to use less sweetener when cooking. Some types of stevia plants also have a bitter taste.

To reduce body weight, drinks with the addition of stevioside extract are used, which are drunk on the eve of lunch and dinner in order to reduce appetite and eat less food. Also, drinks with a sweetener can be consumed after a meal, half an hour after a meal.

With weight loss, many use the following recipe. In the morning, you need to drink a portion of mate tea with the addition of Stevia on an empty stomach, after which you can not eat for about four hours. During lunch and dinner, you must eat only wholesome and natural food without flavorings, preservatives and white flour.

Stevia and diabetes

Ten years ago, the Stevia sweetener was declared safe for human health and public health approved the use of the sweetener in food. Stevioside extract has also been recommended as a sugar substitute for people with type 2 diabetes. Including a sweetener is very useful for hypertensive patients.

Studies have shown that Stevia improves the effects of insulin, affects the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates. In this regard, the sweetener is an excellent sugar replacement option for diabetics, like.

When using Stevia, it is important to make sure that the product you purchase does not contain sugar or fructose. It is necessary to use bread units to accurately calculate the required dose of sweets. It must be remembered that even a natural sugar substitute, with an excess and improper use, can harm human health and increase blood glucose.

Purchase of a sweetener

You can buy a natural Stevia substitute today at any pharmacy or online store. The sweetener is sold as a stevioside extract in powder, liquid, or dried leaves of a medicinal plant.

White powder is added to tea and other liquids. However, some disadvantage is the long dissolution in water, so you need to constantly stir the drink.