Benefit of Stevia

by Nirmala Kotak Self employed

Origin of Stevia Rebaudiana is in central Paraguay where it grows near the ponds and streams in wild conditions. Native Paraguayans have been consuming this herb in large quantities for many centuries. It was only during early fifties that Japanese stumbled upon this unique herb and took it to Japan where they have developed many varieties of this wonderful herb for large scale cultivation The leaves of this plant are 30 times sweeter than sugar , with zero calories. Where as pure extract is 300 times sweeter than sugar.

Our life styles have changed so much over last 100 years that sweeteners [either natural high calorie such as sugar or high potency and low calorie sweeteners such as Aspartame (sugar free, equal etc)] have become integral part of our natural daily diet.

Due to sedentary life styles that we all tend to lead these days the incidence of obesity and diabetic conditions is constantly on increase. In India number of diabetic people in the age group of 25-45 is about 15% and is increasing at an alarming pace.

India being largest consumer of cane sugar along with largest diabetic population in the world, Stevia is ideally poised to make significant contribution in satisfying the Indian demand of natural low calorie sweetener.

Today Stevia Rebaudiana extract accounts for 40% of the sweetener market in Eastern Block countries such as Japan Korea and Malaysia. In India Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni was introduced in Maharashtra

Apart from uses as sweetener this wonderful herb has other medicinal virtues such as per WHO findings