Stevia a safe herb forbidden by FDA rules to be labeled as a sweetner yet has been used safely for hundreds of years and is 300 times sweeter than sugar cane

Stevia is a safe herb and is commonly used throughout the world as a sugar substitute that is 300 times sweeter than sugar cane.

Stevia is originally a native plant of Paraguay, but has shown incredible adaptability and can be grown nearly anywhere. It is calorie free making it a prime substance for use as a natural sugar substitute. However, in the United States the FDA and numerous other countries do not allow Stevia to be labeled as a sweetener. Their claim is that high levels of Stevia sweetener may be toxic. Supporters of Stevia extract use Japan as an example to support their claims that it is safe. The Japanese have been using this natural sweetner for 30 years. However, the FDA claims that the Japanese use very little on a daily basis, whereas the American public would likely use three to four times as much Stevia extract as the Japanese. In true FDA fashion many of their claims, including this one have never been scientifically proven.

Dangers of stevia include reproductive problems, increased cancer risk and metabolism problems if the sweetener is consumed in large amounts. Experts say that having stevia sweetener once or twice a day such as in stevia tea, has very little risk.

Diabetes and stevia use is a popular question. The sugar substitute most likely will not increase blood glucose levels, and is considered a very low carb sweetener so there seems to be no down side for those suffering from diabetes. However, it may not work well as a sugar substitute in baking. As previously mentioned the dangers of stevia for long-term use or in high amounts is not definitively known.

Although it can not be sold with natural sweeteners or labeled as a sugar substitute in the United States, it can be sold as a dietary supplement and also be bought in herbal stores in the form of a dried leaf, powder or as a liquid.

Learn more about health supplements and the benefits they may have on your health.