Stevia, Low Sweetened Sugar Substitute Calorie
The taste is sweeter and contains no calories, making Stevia start to be glimpsed as a substitute for ordinary sugar. Stevia can be used for patients with certain diseases who are advised to limit the consumption of sugar in the daily diet.
An instant lifestyle makes many people choose fast food and drinks without realizing the sugar content in them. Though excess sugar intake is related to various diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, toothache, and heart disease. It is important to know, the limit of sugar intake for men is 37 grams or 9 teaspoons per day. While for women as much as 25 grams or 6 teaspoons per day.
Replacing Granulated Sugar with Stevia
Stevia is a sweetener and substitute sugar extracted from the leaves of the plant Stevia rebaudiana . Stevia is sweet thanks to the content of steviol glycosides inside it. The compound makes stevia feel 250-300 times sweeter than sucrose or ordinary sugar.
Because the taste is much sweeter, stevia doesn't need to be used in too much amount as a sweetener in food or drink. For example, if you are accustomed to adding 2 teaspoons of sugar as a sweetener in coffee or tea, with stevia you can simply use 1 teaspoon to get sweetness.
Even though it is much sweeter if compared to ordinary sugar, stevia contains no calories. Even if there is, it usually comes from other food ingredients mixed in it. For comparison, in one teaspoon of regular sugar (about 40 grams) there are 16 calories and 4 grams of carbohydrates, whereas in 1 teaspoon of stevia there are 0 calories and only 1 gram of carbohydrates.
Health Benefits of Stevia
Here are some possible benefits of stevia that we can take:
- Good for diabetes
Aside from not containing carbohydrates and calories, stevia also can improve body performance in processing glucose (blood sugar) by increasing insulin production .
Research shows that blood sugar levels after eating in diabetics are reported to be reduced when consuming stevia. Several other studies state that the possibility of replacing ordinary sugar with stevia can reduce the risk of developing diabetes. - Helps reduce weight
Because stevia does not contain calories, total daily calorie intake will decrease if you replace sugar intake with stevia. This method can help you maintain or reduce weight, provided you do not overeat. - Lower blood pressure
Substances in stevia extract can lower blood pressure, if consumed routine. However, research to prove this benefit has not shown consistent results. - Preventing the risk of kidney disease
The habit of eating foods that are too sweet can increase the risk of diabetes and blood pressure high. Both of these diseases can lead to kidney disease.
Based on a study, stevia is thought to be effective in reducing the risk of kidney disease because it can help prevent diabetes and high blood pressure. Even this research states that stevia is a better sweetener alternative for people with kidney failure.
Until now, stevia has been proven safe for consumption. However, you must keep an eye on daily food and beverage intake, so that the amount of sugar and calories consumed is not excessive.
Keep in mind, eating sugar-free foods does not mean you free of calories. Calories can be obtained from other ingredients in these foods or drinks. Besides that, it's not enough to just rely on stevia, without living a healthy lifestyle.
Label : Healthy living
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