Is Stevia safe?
It has a history of safe usage dating back 1500 years. Over a 150 medical studies confirm that it is completely non-toxic & non-carcinogenic (do not cause cancer). Regulatory approvals for the use of Stevia as a food additive has been received in Canada, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, & Latin America. Stevia is permitted for sale in US as a dietary supplement vide US FDA # IA 45-06. Stevia has been recognized by WHO & FAO as a safe food additve. In India Stevia products are sold as dietary suppliments.
How safe is Stevia for diabetics?
Stevia is carbohydrate free. As per the trials & research conducted, Stevia does not participate in the body metabolism process, thus it has no effects on the blood sugar levels, making it safe for diabetics & hyperglycemics. For detailed safety studies on stevia, please visit our Stevia Studies section.
How can Stevia be used?
Stevia can used as a substitute of sugar & artificial sweeteners in mithais', carbonated drinks, fruit juices, health & sports drinks, desserts, jams & jellies, snacks, candies & confectioneries, chocolates, pastries, cookies, noodles, ketchup, beer, soya sauces, pickled vegetables, chewing gum, chawanprash, toothpaste, diabetic food, ayurvedic & pharma products etc.
Stevia superiority over artificial sweeteners?
Artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose are reported to contribute to certain forms of cancer, cause headaches, suppress body immune system etc. Enough information & research studies are available over internet, to support the above claims. Health conscious Japan now uses Stevia rather than aspartame which was banned because of its health risks. Learn more about the alarming health risks of using artificial sweeteners in Stevia Studies section.
How sweet are your Stevia leaf extracts?
Our Stevia leaf extracts are approximately 150 & 300 times sweeter than sugar, i.e to substitute 1 kg of sugar; you need approximately 6.66 or 3.33 gms respectively, of our Stevia leaf extract or you can say 1 kg of Stevia leaf extract is equal to 150 or 300 kg respectively, of sugar. Being a high potency sweetener, they cannot be used & sold in the retail market in its prue form. However, for tabletop purposes or home & office use or cook & bake purposes, ready-to-use, Biosweet is also available. (1 gm of Biosweet = 2 tsp sugar)
Are there any negative aspects linked with Stevia?
Being a high potency sweetener & concentrated in nature, Stevia leaf extract cannot add bulkiness & texture to the product like sugar. It cannot caramelize, brown or crystallize or act as binding agent as cane sugar does. A little R & D in recipe can help overcome this. However, for tabletop purposes or home & office use or cook & bake purposes, ready-to-use, Biosweet is also available (1 gm of Biosweet = 2 tsp sugar)
Does Stevia have any medicinal & therapeutic properties / uses?
Stevia leaves are also known for their excellent skin tightening properties, in addition to their use as an anti-oral bacterial, reduction in hypertension, digestive properties & cardio-tonic properties. Studies have also indicated that Stevia tends to lower elevated blood pressure but does not seem to affect normal blood pressure. It also inhibits the growth and reproduction of some bacteria and other infectious organisms, including the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Stevia is an exceptional aid in weight loss and weight management because it contains no calories and reduces one's craving for sweets and fatty foods. When applied as a facial mask it effectively softens and tightens the skin, smoothes out wrinkles and helps to heal various skin blemishes including acne. Stevia is also effective when used on seborrhea dermatitis and eczema.
