Are you a diabetic and have sweet tooth? Feeling the whole world is enjoying sweets except you? Your options other than sugar are - artificial sweeteners (chemical-based) available under different brand names in the market and natural sweeteners.
1. Artificial Sweeteners
There is a huge list of them available in the market made out of different chemical compounds, but major ones in India are aspartame (with brand names - Equal, NutraSweet, Sugar Free Gold), saccharin (brands - Sweet'N Low, Sugar Free Natura, Zero sugar), sucralose (brands - Splenda and Sugar Free Natura).
2. Natural Sweeteners
These are honey, agave extract, date sugar, maple syrup, stevia.
Of all these natural sweeteners, again, stevia is not just a sweetener but it can serve your body in a number of ways. Here are eight benefits of the wonder sweetener that you might not have known about.
Sold popularly as brand names Sweet Leaf, SteviaLife, BioSweet, BeStevia, Steviocal, packets of Stevia are usually colored Green. Stevia based sweeteners have been recognized as Safe to be used by everyone, though pregnant women should be cautious when using it as no studies confirm whether stevia is safe for the developing baby or not. Stevia is 250 to even 300 times sweeter than sugar, though it leaves a bitter after-taste in the mouth. It is free of calories and a healthy alternative to sugar.
Stevia tea is one of the best concoctions to keep one’s blood sugar under control. Just boil some stevia leaves in water for about ten minutes. Drink this tea either hot or cold two to three times a day. Also, home made stevia syrup can be prepared and stored for regular use in tea, coffee, milk, etc.
1. Lowers blood sugar levels and fights diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, stevia is a good substitute for sugar especially for diabetics. The leaf contains a compound called steviol glycoside (the sweetener) that is not absorbed by the body and cannot be broken down, and is flushed out directly. It is especially good for diabetics because it stabilizes a patient’s blood sugar by increasing insulin resistance, inhibits the absorption of glucose in the body and promotes the health of the pancreas.
***Warning: People with low blood sugar and hypoglycemia should avoid drinking stevia tea as it could lead to a drastic drop in blood sugar levels.
2. Anti hypertensive - controls high blood pressure
Many studies conducted on stevia state that it is an effective alternative in controlling the blood pressure levels in people prone to the disease. Having one cup of stevia tea on a daily basis can keep a patient suffering from hypertension and those prone to the disease safe.
3. Anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti inflammatory
Known for its anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti inflammatory properties, stevia is great to treat persistent acne and dandruff. It also has properties that repair dry and damaged hair. For dandruff free hair, just add a few drops of stevia extract into your shampoo and use regularly. In case of acne, either make a paste of the leaves or apply the extract directly to the pimple and leave overnight. The extract will dry out the pimple and more importantly will not leave a blemish. It is important to note that one must use it regularly to see the desired results.
4. Skin toner
Stevia contains a compound called retinoic acid that helps reverse wrinkles. It works by inhibiting the breakdown of cells especially collagen and elastin, reduces sebum production, and possibly even enhances the life span of cells. All one needs to do is mix stevia extract in their regular face cream and use it on a daily basis. Alternatively, one could use the extract on their face once every night and wash it off with cold water after half an hour.
5. Helps protect your teeth and gums
Since stevia has compounds that prevent the formation of dental cavities, plaque and bacteria in the mouth, it is great in fighting against inflammation of gums. The leaf contains various components like tannins, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, zinc and iron. All these compounds put together, prevent the colonization of bacteria in the mouth and around the gums. Since plaque is what predominantly contributes to the onset of gingivitis – by preventing its formation – stevia protects one’s gums from infection. All one has to do is add a few drops of stevia extract to their toothpaste or gargle regularly with stevia mouth wash. To make stevia mouth wash, add two to three drops of stevia extract to a small cup of warm water and gargle. Alternatively one could gargle with stevia tea. If available, you can chew upon a few fresh leaves of stevia regularly.
6. Reduces heartburn and indigestion
Stevia contains a specific plant glycosides that greatly help in treating indigestion and heartburn. Moreover the plant contains a lot of fiber, carbohydrate, protein, zinc and iron. All these compounds put together helps to beat indigestion. Moreover the zinc, iron, vitamin C and vitamin A help soothe an irritated stomach lining. In the case of indigestion drink warm stevia tea, and in case of heartburn drink the same tea after cooling it. It will make you feel much more comfortable.
7. Weight loss booster
Stevia is great for weight loss. It contains no calories, is a sweetener that can be used in any amount unlike other artificial sweeteners. The good thing about stevia is that it can be used in baked and cooked products as the glycosides present in it, do not break down when cooked. An added advantage of this leaf is that it has the capability of reducing one’s cravings for fatty foods and suppress hunger. In order to use stevia in everyday cooking, add the extract or the leaf to your daily diet to satiate your cravings.
8. Heals wounds faster
It is a great way to treat wounds and minor skin infections as stevia inhibits certain commonly growing organisms in wounds. Naturopaths believe that it has the capability to heal wounds faster, can reduce the pain associated with sores and even treat athlete’s foot ( a skin condition commonly seen between the toes, usually due to extremely humid conditions). To treat athlete’s foot, soak your feet in warm water with a few drops of stevia extract. After soaking them for about fifteen minutes, pat dry the area and apply a few drops of the extract. You will see results in about two weeks.
Stevia has had a few bad reviews over the years. It is known to have side effects like bloating in the abdomen, lowered blood sugar in people already suffering from hypoglycemia and lowered blood pressure in people suffering from hypotension. Please do consult your doctor before trying it.
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1. Artificial Sweeteners
There is a huge list of them available in the market made out of different chemical compounds, but major ones in India are aspartame (with brand names - Equal, NutraSweet, Sugar Free Gold), saccharin (brands - Sweet'N Low, Sugar Free Natura, Zero sugar), sucralose (brands - Splenda and Sugar Free Natura). 2. Natural Sweeteners
These are honey, agave extract, date sugar, maple syrup, stevia.
Of all these natural sweeteners, again, stevia is not just a sweetener but it can serve your body in a number of ways. Here are eight benefits of the wonder sweetener that you might not have known about.
Sold popularly as brand names Sweet Leaf, SteviaLife, BioSweet, BeStevia, Steviocal, packets of Stevia are usually colored Green. Stevia based sweeteners have been recognized as Safe to be used by everyone, though pregnant women should be cautious when using it as no studies confirm whether stevia is safe for the developing baby or not. Stevia is 250 to even 300 times sweeter than sugar, though it leaves a bitter after-taste in the mouth. It is free of calories and a healthy alternative to sugar.
Stevia tea is one of the best concoctions to keep one’s blood sugar under control. Just boil some stevia leaves in water for about ten minutes. Drink this tea either hot or cold two to three times a day. Also, home made stevia syrup can be prepared and stored for regular use in tea, coffee, milk, etc.
1. Lowers blood sugar levels and fights diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, stevia is a good substitute for sugar especially for diabetics. The leaf contains a compound called steviol glycoside (the sweetener) that is not absorbed by the body and cannot be broken down, and is flushed out directly. It is especially good for diabetics because it stabilizes a patient’s blood sugar by increasing insulin resistance, inhibits the absorption of glucose in the body and promotes the health of the pancreas.
***Warning: People with low blood sugar and hypoglycemia should avoid drinking stevia tea as it could lead to a drastic drop in blood sugar levels.
2. Anti hypertensive - controls high blood pressure
Many studies conducted on stevia state that it is an effective alternative in controlling the blood pressure levels in people prone to the disease. Having one cup of stevia tea on a daily basis can keep a patient suffering from hypertension and those prone to the disease safe.
3. Anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti inflammatory
Known for its anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti inflammatory properties, stevia is great to treat persistent acne and dandruff. It also has properties that repair dry and damaged hair. For dandruff free hair, just add a few drops of stevia extract into your shampoo and use regularly. In case of acne, either make a paste of the leaves or apply the extract directly to the pimple and leave overnight. The extract will dry out the pimple and more importantly will not leave a blemish. It is important to note that one must use it regularly to see the desired results.
4. Skin toner
Stevia contains a compound called retinoic acid that helps reverse wrinkles. It works by inhibiting the breakdown of cells especially collagen and elastin, reduces sebum production, and possibly even enhances the life span of cells. All one needs to do is mix stevia extract in their regular face cream and use it on a daily basis. Alternatively, one could use the extract on their face once every night and wash it off with cold water after half an hour.
5. Helps protect your teeth and gums
Since stevia has compounds that prevent the formation of dental cavities, plaque and bacteria in the mouth, it is great in fighting against inflammation of gums. The leaf contains various components like tannins, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, zinc and iron. All these compounds put together, prevent the colonization of bacteria in the mouth and around the gums. Since plaque is what predominantly contributes to the onset of gingivitis – by preventing its formation – stevia protects one’s gums from infection. All one has to do is add a few drops of stevia extract to their toothpaste or gargle regularly with stevia mouth wash. To make stevia mouth wash, add two to three drops of stevia extract to a small cup of warm water and gargle. Alternatively one could gargle with stevia tea. If available, you can chew upon a few fresh leaves of stevia regularly.
6. Reduces heartburn and indigestion
Stevia contains a specific plant glycosides that greatly help in treating indigestion and heartburn. Moreover the plant contains a lot of fiber, carbohydrate, protein, zinc and iron. All these compounds put together helps to beat indigestion. Moreover the zinc, iron, vitamin C and vitamin A help soothe an irritated stomach lining. In the case of indigestion drink warm stevia tea, and in case of heartburn drink the same tea after cooling it. It will make you feel much more comfortable.
7. Weight loss booster
Stevia is great for weight loss. It contains no calories, is a sweetener that can be used in any amount unlike other artificial sweeteners. The good thing about stevia is that it can be used in baked and cooked products as the glycosides present in it, do not break down when cooked. An added advantage of this leaf is that it has the capability of reducing one’s cravings for fatty foods and suppress hunger. In order to use stevia in everyday cooking, add the extract or the leaf to your daily diet to satiate your cravings.
8. Heals wounds faster
It is a great way to treat wounds and minor skin infections as stevia inhibits certain commonly growing organisms in wounds. Naturopaths believe that it has the capability to heal wounds faster, can reduce the pain associated with sores and even treat athlete’s foot ( a skin condition commonly seen between the toes, usually due to extremely humid conditions). To treat athlete’s foot, soak your feet in warm water with a few drops of stevia extract. After soaking them for about fifteen minutes, pat dry the area and apply a few drops of the extract. You will see results in about two weeks.
Stevia has had a few bad reviews over the years. It is known to have side effects like bloating in the abdomen, lowered blood sugar in people already suffering from hypoglycemia and lowered blood pressure in people suffering from hypotension. Please do consult your doctor before trying it.