Stevia Extract (200-300 x sweeter than sugar).

Stevia is processed from the “Stevia Rebaudiana” bush - a herb in the Chrysanthemum family which grows wild as a small shrub in parts of Paraguay and Brazil. The glycosides in its leaves, including up to 10% Stevioside, account for its incredible sweetness, making it unique among the nearly 300 species of stevia plants. When the stevia leaves are processed using pure and natural water the result is a snow-white powder called stevioside. It is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar and sweetens without raising blood sugar levels. It has no carbohydrates or calories and is safe for diabetics as well as persons who suffer from hypoglycemia. Unlike some other brands, this stevia extract has no additives whatsoever and is 100% natural in every sense of the word.

Conventional refined sugar is virtually devoid of nutritional benefits and, at best, represents empty calories in the diet. At worst, it has been implicated in numerous degenerative diseases. Stevia is much sweeter than sugar and has none of sugar's unhealthy drawbacks.

This stevia contains no carbs, calories or artificial ingredients. Minimum 95% Steviosides 60% Rebaudioside A (the active ingredients that make stevia taste so sweet).

There are indications that stevia has been used to sweeten the native beverage Mate since Pre-Columbian times. However, a Scientist named Antonio Bertoni first recorded its usage by native tribes in 1887.

Stevia has been approved by the FDA for sale in the United States as a dietary supplement only. Overseas, where stevia controls over 40% of the sweetener market, you will often find stevia on the kitchen or restaurant table just as you would.

Unlike the green stevia leaf powder, stevia extract has virtually no aftertaste and does not leave any residue. Some people dislike the taste of stevia leaf powder and those who do will love this extract. Now you can forget about using artificial sweeteners and use a completely natural product extracted from the plant in a completely natural way. The smallest pinch of stevia extract is more than enough to sweeten any cup of tea or coffee so if you choose to use it as a sweetener, only use very, very small amounts at first to asses the sweetness. A bitter aftertaste is often caused by low quality stevia or simply using too much. If you choose to use Stevia for baking/cooking, the Stevia Blend would work better. The sweetness is equal to sugar and therefore and be substituted easily. The Stevia Blend does brown, caramelise and crystallize just like sugar whereas the high stevioside extract does not. (See our other listings for Stevia Blend).

Natural therapists have been using stevia for many years to regulate blood sugar levels. According to a report on Australia's national broadcaster ABC (28 June 2002), the herb can be taken in droplet form with meals. Stevia leaf contains various vitamins and minerals including vitamins A and C, zinc, rutin, magnesium and iron. Stevia can also be used for skin care as it can be applied to enhance the skin's appearance or to heal acne and blemishes.

In Japan, stevia is used to sweeten soy sauce, pickles and soft drinks and it is being used by companies such as coca cola for their products. The Japanese during their evaluation of stevia as a possible sweetening agent performed elaborate safety tests. Few substances have ever yielded such consistently negative results in toxicity trials as have stevia. Almost every toxicity test imaginable has been performed on Stevioside at one time or another. The results are always negative. Brazil, and other South American countries. Korea and China also allow the use of stevia for its soft drinks market.

As a UK retailer of natural herbal products we are not allowed by EU law to provide further details of herbal remedies and their traditional uses. Therefore, we can only recommend that you undertake your own research on this product.

Disclaimer: Please note that the product details contained on this website are for information purposes only. While we hope our products will promote health and well-being, we make no claims in relation to them regarding the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Under EU and UK law only a qualified medical practitioner may give advice on medical issues and treat illness and disease.