Stevia - benefits and harm, where to buy the herb and prices. Useful properties of stevia. Stevia sweetener: the role of honey herb in medicine and cooking

Hello, dear readers! Stevia has recently become more and more popular as a food product. Those people who know about it actively use it in their diet. But, as I was able to verify, when communicating with my friends, many people have a question: what is stevia and what benefits does it have for the body? Therefore, I decided to talk about this in my article.

What is stevia?

Stevia, or, as it is also called, honey herb, is a perennial herbaceous plant with white (or white-cream) small flowers collected in complex inflorescences (baskets), and paired leaves framed by jagged edges. Outwardly, it looks like a branched bush that can reach a height of up to eighty centimeters. South America is considered the birthplace of this herb.

But it is the leaves that attract attention, which are several tens of times sweeter than sugar. Centuries-old history indicates that people have been adding this part of the plant to tea since ancient times and serving the drink as a sweet treat.

In 1931, after research, French chemists and pharmacists M. Bridel and R. Lavey obtained crystalline substances (glycosides) from stevia leaves, which gave them an amazing sweet taste. Subsequently, these glycosides were called steviosides. They turned out to be much sweeter than sugar.

In 1934, returning from an expedition to Latin America, academician Vavilov N.I. brought stevia to the USSR. When studying this plant, they identified numerous properties beneficial to humans.

As you know, the Japanese pay special attention regarding their health and are very practical people. In 1954, they showed serious interest in honey grass, and this was due to the fact that in Japan they considered sugar to be the culprit of tooth decay, obesity and diabetes. Currently, this country is the leader in the consumption of food products with stevia.

Based on the results scientific research It has been established that stevia is a natural sweetener and has “zero” calories, despite the fact that its taste is three hundred times higher than sugar.

Composition of nutrients

Leaves of this unique plant are the owner of a fairly significant number of useful components.

• vitamins A, C, E and group B, which take an active part in the body’s metabolic processes;
• rutin (vitamin P), strengthens the walls blood vessels;
• glycosides (steviazid and rebaudioside), which turned out to be absolutely harmless to humans compared to synthetic sugar substitutes;
• quercetin (plant flavonoid), which has antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic effects;
• chlorophyll, which, in addition to having anti-inflammatory properties, improves immunity, strengthens the body's cells and helps protect them;
• kaempferol (flavonoid), which has antioxidant and antitumor activity.
• minerals: potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, silicon, copper, selenium, chromium, etc.;

Beneficial properties for the human body

Stevia is a natural sweetener with excellent therapeutic, preventive and health properties.

Considering the fact that honey grass contains virtually no calories, it is recommended for people suffering from overweight and diabetes. Stevia reduces blood glucose and promotes the production of insulin by the pancreas, and in addition, reduces hunger and makes it easier to follow an appropriate diet for these ailments.

This unique property It also allows you to reduce the concentration of harmful substances in the blood, which prevents the development of atherosclerosis and the formation of blood clots in blood vessels and thereby helps to avoid strokes and heart attacks.

The rich composition of vitamins, flavonoids, glycosides makes the walls of blood vessels elastic, elastic and less fragile, and this:

• reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases;
• prevents varicose veins veins;
• normalizes blood pressure.

Stevia has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, wound healing, antiviral, antimicrobial actions and that's why it's useful:

• for joint pathology, arthritis, osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis;
• to strengthen the immune system;
• for colds and viral diseases.

In addition, honey herb normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and promotes the healing of ulcers in the stomach and intestines.

As well as fresh leaves and herbal infusions used for local application, effective for skin diseases, cuts, burns.

The antimicrobial properties of the plant protect teeth from caries and relieve gum inflammation.

The presence of chlorophyll and antioxidants in stevia, incl. kaempferol, protect body cells from free radicals, preventing the formation of cancerous tumors.

The unique properties of the plant improve the functioning of the liver, kidneys, thyroid gland and spleen.

The presence of chlorophyll can protect a person from the occurrence of urolithiasis by reducing the level of formation of calcium oxalate crystals found in urine. In addition, it actively cleanses the body of waste and toxins.

Currently, stevia is available in the form of tablets, dry powder, tea in filter bags, syrup, extract and packaged dry herb.

Steviosides are resistant to high temperatures, so stevia can be used as a sugar substitute for cooking dishes that require heat treatment.

Contraindications for use

In a number of studies of the properties of the plant, practically no contraindications to eating products based on it have been identified, with the exception of cases in which honey grass should be refused. This:

• for allergic reactions to plants from the Asteraceae family such as chamomile, dandelion, etc.;
• with individual intolerance;
• during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• use caution if you have low blood pressure.

Now you have learned what stevia is and what benefits it has for the body.

Good health to you!

For adherents healthy image life, diabetics, people counting calories, a sugar substitute is important part diet. Desserts are prepared with it, added to tea, cocoa or coffee. And if previously sweeteners were only of synthetic origin, now natural ones are very popular. But don't consume mindlessly this product, you must first study the benefits and harms of stevia.

History and purpose

The homeland of this grass is Southern and Central America. Since ancient times, Indians have brewed tea with it, called mate. Europeans began to use it much later, as they did not attach importance to the customs of the Indian tribes. Only from the beginning of the twentieth century did Europeans appreciate the plant and began to use stevia, the benefits and harms of which are being studied to this day.

For industrial needs, the plant is grown in Crimea and Krasnodar region. But for your own needs, it can be grown in any part Russian Federation. The seeds are publicly available and anyone can buy them. The only thing is that stevia will not grow in houses, since this plant needs a constant influx fresh air, fertile soil and high humidity. Only if all these conditions are met, the benefits and harms of stevia will be obvious. The plant itself looks like nettle, lemon balm or mint.

This herb has its sweetness due to the main glycoside - steviazid. A sweetener is extracted from a herbal extract and is used in industry as a food (E960) or dietary supplement.

Calorie content of stevia

When using dried leaves calorie content will not exceed 18 calories per 100 grams. In the case of a sweetener with stevioside extract in the form of tablets, syrup or powder, the calorie content is zero.

How many carbohydrates?

The amount of carbohydrates is much lower than the calorie content. There are 0.1 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams. There has long been debate as to whether the stevia substitute is beneficial or harmful for diabetes mellitus. And it has been shown to provide benefits and help avoid complications because its extract does not raise blood sugar levels. Stevioside does not affect lipid metabolism, does not cause an increase in LDL and triglycerides.

Proteins, fats and carbohydrates were distributed as follows:

• fats - 0 grams;
• carbohydrates - 0.1 grams;
• proteins - 0 grams.

Useful properties of stevia

Like any other product, it brings benefits and harm. Stevia has such medicinal properties:

1. Improves blood pressure. With constant use biologically active additives, which contain stevia, the upper pressure decreases by 10 units, and the lower - by six. In addition, the risk of hypertrophy of the left becomes less cardiac ventricle.
2. Reduces blood sugar. If we compare aspartame (a popular sweetener) and stevia extract, then diabetics taking stevia have more low level sugar than those who consume aspartame. Therefore, the benefits of stevia are invaluable for diabetics. There is practically no harm from it.
3. Reduces the amount bad cholesterol.
4. Glucose in the body returns to normal.
5. Has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
6. Suitable for those losing weight as it has no calories.
7. Normalizes blood quality and metabolism.
8. There is an improvement in skin quality.
9. The immune system becomes stronger.
10. Does not cause allergies.
11. Reanimates the pancreas.

It must be remembered that all tests were carried out on animals and the results are typical for them. The benefits and harms for animals are one, but for humans they are completely different.

Research

The catch is that they studied the extracts of this plant, and not the leaves in in kind. Steviositol and rebaudioside A are used as extracts. These are very sweet components. The benefits and harms of the stevia substitute are many times greater than those of sugar.

But stevioside is a tenth of stevia leaves, if you consume the leaves with food, then positive effect(like an extract) cannot be achieved. It is necessary to understand that visible healing effect achieved through the use of large doses of the extract. There will be no result if you use this sweetener only to sweeten food. That is, in this case, the pressure will not decrease, the glucose level will remain the same, and so will the blood sugar. For treatment you need to consult a doctor. Amateur performance will cause serious harm health.

It is unknown exactly how stevia extract works. But according to research data, it is clear that stevioside blocks calcium channels, acquiring the properties of an antihypertensive drug.

Stevioside also increases sensitivity to insulin and its level in the body.

Stevia extract has very strong biological activity, because of this it large doses This sugar substitute should not be taken, only for its intended purpose. Otherwise, the harm will exceed and the benefit will decrease.

Harmful properties of stevia

Any characteristic negative properties Stevia does not, but there are people for whom it is better to limit its consumption:

1. Pregnant women.
2. Women who are breastfeeding.
3. People suffering from hypotension.
4. In case of individual intolerance.
5. Stevia, due to its sweetness, can cause “metabolic confusion,” which is characterized by an increase in appetite and an insatiable craving for sweets.

How to use?

Whatever the form of stevioside (in powder, tablets or syrup), its sweet properties are 300 times greater than sugar. Using the table you can see the proportions of stevia and sugar.

There are several ways to consume:

• decoction from the plant;
• isolated extract in the form of powder, tablets or syrup.

The powder or tablets have a very sweet taste and must be used very carefully. Some people believe that one form of stevia is more harmful than another. This is not true, the benefits and harms of stevia in tablets are exactly the same as stevia in another form. In addition to the extract, they contain flavorings and synthetic sweeteners. The concentration of the powder is so high that it is more likely to be steviosite in pure form.

By boiling stevia leaves to a thick jam, syrup is obtained. There are still ready meals and drinks with stevia. For example, added chicory is added to homemade cakes, tea, coffee, cocoa, juices, cocktails, desserts. To add to the dough, it is recommended to buy this sweetener in powder form. For liquids, tablets or syrup are suitable.

Taste qualities

Despite the wonderful qualities of this plant, not everyone can use it. It's a matter of a specific taste, or more precisely, a bitterness. This bitterness appears or not, which depends on the method of purification of the raw materials and the raw materials themselves. Before you give up such a product, you should try a sugar substitute from several manufacturers or try making a homemade tincture.

Homemade tincture recipe

Since the herb stevia does not differ in benefits and harm from ready-made sweeteners, you can try making an infusion at home. Pour crushed stevia leaves (1 tablespoon) into a glass of water. Let it boil and leave on the fire for another 5 minutes. Pour the broth into a thermos and leave to infuse overnight. In the morning, pour the strained broth into a clean bottle. Pour half a glass of boiling water over the leaves remaining after straining and leave in the thermos for 6 hours. After time, mix the two strained infusions and put them in the refrigerator. Store for no more than 7 days. This infusion can be a good alternative to granulated sugar.

What does stevia consist of?

Experts have brought out a safe daily dose stevia is 2 mg per kilogram of weight. There's a lot in it useful substances, which distinguishes the plant from sugar. The leaves contain:

• calcium;
• fluorine;
• manganese;
• cobalt;
• phosphorus;
• chromium;
• selenium;
• aluminum;
• beta-carotene;
• ascorbic acid;
• vitamin K;
• nicotinic acid;
• riboflavin;
• camphor oil;
• arachidonic acid.

Stevia in children's diet

In the absence of allergies to plants of the Asteraceae family (chamomile, dandelion), stevia can be included in children's menu. In addition, it has been proven non-toxic.

Stevioside and diseases

The list of contraindications for using stevia is very small. It can be used for food oncological diseases, pyelonephritis, biliary tract diseases, chronic pancreatitis.

Diabetes mellitus and steviositis

Most sweeteners are synthetic in nature and are not suitable for all people with diabetes. Therefore, scientists and doctors were looking for the most natural sugar substitute. And stevia was perfect for this role. The harm and benefits for diabetes and other diseases are discussed above. The most important property of this plant for diabetics is that it adds sweetness to food and does not increase insulin levels in the body. But you shouldn’t abuse it either, otherwise stevia in diabetes mellitus will begin to bring not benefit, but harm.

Important! Before purchasing, you should carefully read the ingredients. If it does not contain fructose and sucrose, then you can buy it.

Use of stevia for diabetes

Mix St. John's wort (leaves) in the amount of three tablespoons and stevia (2 tablespoons), chop, pour a glass of boiling water. Pour into a thermos and leave for an hour. The decoction is taken 60 grams before meals three times a day. The decoction is drunk in courses (a month), followed by a week break and everything is repeated.

Weight loss and steviositis

If anyone thinks that as soon as they replace sugar with stevia, they will immediately lose weight, they will be deeply disappointed. Stevia is not a fat-burning agent and cannot in any way activate subcutaneous fat; for this reason, it will not result in direct weight loss. Necessary proper nutrition And physical exercise. At the same time, food comes first here, although without motor activity can't get by.

The essence of all sugar substitutes is that by eliminating sugar and sweets from the diet, a person begins to lose weight due to a calorie deficit. Due to the fact that insulin is not released into the blood in huge quantities, the body switches to correct work and begins to lose fat without stress.

Where to look for stevia?

Natural sweetener produced all over the world. This is due to the unpretentiousness of this plant. Of course, drugs from different companies differ, because much depends on the place of harvest and processing, production technology, composition, and release form.

It is difficult to imagine a plant with leaves that are sweeter than sugar itself. Don't be surprised, it's true. It is noteworthy that flower growers manage to grow it at home. At one time, stevia (or honey herb) was known only to the Indians of Paraguay. The herb is often popularly called stevia honey.

Let's find out why stevia is so famous, what its benefits are and how to use the leaves correctly. You may want to grow grass at home or on your property. After all, this rare case, when sweets will be beneficial.

Stevia leaves are used as a natural sweetener. What is the reason for the amazing sweetness of the leaves?

It's all about stevioside - a complex substance containing steviol, sucrose, glucose and other compounds. If we compare the sweetness of sugar and stevia, the second is three hundred times greater. At the same time, stevioside, due to its low calorie content, does not harm people with extra pounds, cardiovascular diseases, as well as diabetics.

Stevia is rich in vitamins. Its mineral part is represented by chromium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, iodine, selenium, zinc, potassium, and calcium. It should be noted large number essential oils, nicotinic acid, amino acids and pectins.

Stevia honey can grow in the countryside

The beneficial properties of the herb we are considering are numerous. Let's highlight the most significant for us:

1. Glycosides normalize metabolism and remove toxins.
2. The herb effectively cleanses blood vessels of cholesterol, brings blood pressure to normal, and reduces the percentage of sugar in the blood.
3. The plant has a diuretic effect, rids the body of excess liquid and swelling.
4. The herb has a rejuvenating effect on the skin.
5. Stevia honey helps cope with dizziness, fatigue, apathy and drowsiness. Increases immunity.
6. Using stevia instead of sugar reduces caloric intake, which, in turn, promotes weight loss.

Honey grass is not difficult to obtain. In pharmacies it can be purchased in the form of bagged tea, crushed dry raw materials, syrup, extract or tablets. Or you can grow it yourself from seeds.

How to use stevia

Most often, powdered stevia is used instead of sugar: added to tea, compotes and confectionery.

Stevia extract is sold in pharmacies in the form white powder, in which almost 95% is stevioside. A quarter teaspoon of powder is equivalent to a cup of sugar.

Stevia is 300 times sweeter than sugar

You can prepare almost the same extract yourself: crushed leaves (20 g) + alcohol (1 tbsp.). The product matures within 24 hours, after which it is filtered. If desired, the product can be brought to the consistency of syrup.

Stevia is recognized in folk medicine. The plant is recommended for diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, some pathologies affecting the liver and pancreas.

Stevia for healthy skin and hair

2 tbsp. spoons of dry raw materials are wrapped in gauze, poured with a glass of water and boiled for half an hour. The decoction is collected in a jar. The gauze bag with the herb is again filled with 1/2 cup of boiling water. Infusion time is half an hour. The decoction is mixed with the infusion. Storage location: refrigerator.

Rub the sweet liquid onto your face. The procedure makes the skin more elastic, eliminates age spots. Rubbing the product into the scalp will help get rid of dandruff.

Stevia for weight loss

Sweet grass will help you quickly bring your weight back to normal. Women usually drink sweet tea to lose weight.

Dry leaves (1 tsp) + boiling water (1 tbsp). Infusion lasts about ten minutes. Multiplicity daily consumption- twice.

If you don’t like the peculiar taste of grass, you can add a slice of lemon to the product. Orange will also help in this regard.

If you can’t stand the taste at all, you can use a pharmaceutical powder product. In principle, pills will help. Powders are usually packaged in gram sachets.

The sachet is dissolved in a glass of warm water. Drink three sachets a day. As for the tablets, they are taken a couple of times twice daily. The tablets are washed down warm water or pre-dissolve them. Maximum dose– 6 pieces per day.

Stevia tablets

When buying a sweetener based on stevia honey, be sure to pay attention to the composition. If in addition to the herbal extract (it is labeled as food additive E960) tablets contain fructose or regular sugar, it is better to refuse such a purchase. Otherwise, your efforts will be in vain. When purchasing dry raw materials, pay attention to its color. When dried, stevia does not have a brown tint and remains green.

Possible harm

Stevia has no contraindications. But allergic reactions maybe, so you need to start little by little. Basic rules safe use stevia:

• Start taking it with small portions and watch the body’s reaction.
• If allergic reactions occur (rash, redness, itching), you should stop taking stevia.
• Stevia mixed with milk can cause diarrhea.
• This herb reduces sugar, but too much can be harmful.
• People with low blood pressure do not need to get carried away with stevia - it lowers blood pressure.
• You should consult your doctor before taking stevia if you have digestive, mental, or hormonal disorders or blood diseases.

Video about stevia

A couple of stevia leaves or a little homemade syrup - and drinks and dishes will become sweet. With all this, there is no need to count calories and worry about the health risks of sugar! Stevia will make your life sweet in the truest sense of the word!

Stevia is a plant that is increasingly being used as a natural substitute sugar, the herb extract is about 25 times sweeter than refined sugar. The sweetener is named the most popular and in demand all over the world; the undoubted advantage of the product is safety and zero calorie content.

Stevia extract is recommended for use by patients with disorders carbohydrate metabolism, with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity varying degrees gravity. Additionally, the herb stevia helps improve the functioning of the gallbladder and organs. digestive system, liver, eliminate inflammatory processes.

Stevia helps get rid of pathogenic microflora, helps eliminate the symptoms of dysbiosis. The plant contains minerals, vitamins, pectins and amino acids. The plant increases bioenergetic abilities human body without providing negative impact. The herb does not lose its beneficial properties when frozen or heated.

Medicinal properties of stevia

The plant leads to normal blood sugar levels, blood pressure, reduces low-density cholesterol, perfectly strengthens the walls of blood vessels. It is possible to improve the functioning of the thyroid gland, remove toxins and toxic substances, the herb will in many ways compete with well-known synthetic sugar substitutes.

At regular use plants stop the development of neoplasms, the body quickly comes into tone, slows down pathological processes and aging. Medicinal plant protects teeth from caries, prevents the occurrence of periodontal disease, minimizes the symptoms of allergic reactions, and promotes weight loss.

The use of the herb is recommended for diabetes mellitus, vascular atherosclerosis, disorders metabolic processes, overweight body, for people who simply monitor their health and figure. Stevia herb is an excellent preventative against diseases of the pancreas and heart muscle.

The use of stevia becomes more effective than the use of natural honey. Moreover, bee product is:

1. powerful allergen;
2. irritant to mucous membranes;
3. high-calorie product.

You can buy stevia in the form of filter bags; the preparation method is described in detail on the label of the sugar substitute. The plant is also sold in the form of dried herb, in which case infusions are prepared based on the plant, then added to culinary dishes or drinks.

You need to take 20 grams of stevia, pour it into a glass boiled water. Place the liquid over medium heat, bring to a boil, reduce the flame and simmer for 5 minutes. Then the product is infused for another 10 minutes, filtered, poured into a thermos, previously scalded with boiling water.

The stevia herb tincture is kept in a thermos for 10 hours, shaken, and consumed within 3-5 days. Leftover grass:

• you can add boiling water again;
• reduce its quantity to one hundred grams;
• leave for no more than 6 hours.

The finished product is stored in a cool place.

Some patients prefer to grow a bush of the plant on their windowsill or in a flower bed. Fresh leaves herbs are used as needed, it is very convenient.

The calorie content of the plant in its natural form is only 18 kilocalories for every hundred grams, it contains neither protein nor fat, the amount of carbohydrates is 0.1 gram.

Sugar to Stevia Ratio

One gram of pharmaceutical stevia powder has the same taste as the sweetness of 10 g of refined sugar, 25 g of sugar in a tablespoon, and 200 g in a standard glass.

A teaspoon of sugar can be equivalent to a quarter teaspoon of crushed dry herb; if it is stevia powder, then this amount is equal to the amount of product on the tip of a knife (this is about 0.7 g), or it is 2-6 drops of aqueous herb extract.

A tablespoon of sugar is replaced by a third small spoon of dried herb, 10 drops of liquid water extract, 2.5 g of stevia powder.

A glass of sugar contains the sweetness of 1-2 teaspoons of ground grass, 20 g of stevia powder, 1-2 small spoons of water extract.

The dosage of the sugar substitute can be reduced or increased depending on the taste preferences of the diabetic. This is always indicated in the instructions for the drug.

Contraindications for use

Diabetics should use stevia only after consultation with an endocrinologist, since with reduced blood pressure the sweetener lowers it even more. It should also be taken into account that active substances can greatly reduce glycemic levels, which is fraught with unpleasant consequences.

Any metabolic disorders and cardiovascular system become a significant reason to exercise caution when consuming stevia-based sugar substitutes. It can cause a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) or slow heart rate heart rate(bradycardia).

It is forbidden to use the herb stevia if you have an individual intolerance to the substance; no beneficial properties of the plant can justify the danger adverse reactions for treatment.

Grass is also prohibited in the following cases:

1. pregnancy;
2. lactation;
3. children under 3 years of age.

The herb can be harmful if there are digestive problems, hormonal disorders, blood diseases and all kinds of mental disorders.

Growing stevia at home

Warm-loving grass also grows in our climate, but always in sandy, light soil. You can easily grow a stevia bush at home; for this you take one part of humus, two parts of sand, and vermicompost. You can purchase ready-made soil that contains sand, turf and humus.

Before planting, the seeds are soaked in warm water for about half an hour, then lightly air dry. Seeds germinate well and quickly if the soil is covered with glass or transparent film, put in a warm place. The sprouts should be sprayed with water from time to time.

The seedlings are transplanted after the appearance of the first pair of leaves, regularly watered and fed mineral fertilizers. If you plan to grow stevia at home, it is immediately planted in a permanent pot. The container should be shallow, but wide, as the root system grows in width.

A two-liter pot is enough for a bush of grass; at the bottom you need to make 2 centimeters of drainage; for this purpose, broken shards are used. At first:

• the pot is filled halfway with soil;
• plant seedlings or cuttings;
• Add soil as needed.

At home, stevia herb grows well on southwest and south windows. If the plant grows in a pot, ensure normal humidity; if it is over-watered, the root system will rot and the bush will disappear.

If each shoot is shortened from time to time, stevia will perennial plant. At least three leaves should remain; new shoots will grow from dormant buds. Provided that the grass grows on the sunny side, even in winter its leaves will always be sweet.

The first to be harvested are the leaves whose tips curl up. After 3 months, the leaves become too fragile and brittle. They are collected without leaving them on the bush and used in fresh or store in the refrigerator.

Raw materials best quality obtained by drying as quickly as possible, when the leaves are crushed and long time do not dry out, the quality of the raw material rapidly deteriorates, oxidative processes occur in them, and about a third of stevioside is lost.

How to use the herb

Dry leaves are used as a sweetener; they can be crushed using a coffee grinder or mortar. The resulting green powder is about ten times sweeter than white sugar; two tablespoons is enough to replace a glass of sugar. The powder can be added to any dishes that are not prohibited for diabetics, drinks, where sugar is traditionally poured.

There is a recipe delicious tea from stevia, take a glass of boiling water, add a small spoon of dried stevia to it, leave for a couple of minutes. You can add a slice of lemon, lime, mint or lemon balm.

A diabetic can prepare alcohol or aqueous extract herbs. For an alcoholic extract, take whole leaves or ready-made powder and pour medical alcohol, high-quality vodka without additives so that the raw material is completely covered with liquid. After which the product is infused for 24 hours, filtered and used as directed.

It is not much more difficult to prepare an aqueous extract:

1. take 40 g of plant leaves;
2. a glass of boiling water;
3. insist for a day.

The resulting product is filtered through several layers of gauze and placed on water bath and boil until thickened. Store the product in a cool place, take a quarter teaspoon before meals. The tincture cannot be used in its pure form; it must first be diluted with warm water at room temperature. So simple and accessible remedy When used systematically, it perfectly reduces sugar and prevents it from rising in the future.

Nutritionists advise if you have diabetes, try making syrup from dried stevia leaves and shoots. An arbitrary amount of raw material is poured hot water, boil for 40 minutes, filter, continue to simmer over low heat. The readiness of the syrup is checked in this way: if you drop a little of the product onto a glass or porcelain saucer, it should not spread.

The product is added instead of sugar to desserts and drinks.

Before adding the herb to complex dishes or baked goods, it is better to try brewing a stevia leaf in tea. Since the herb is very specific, not every patient will like it, and the dish will be hopelessly spoiled.

Sometimes, in order to overcome a specific taste, mint, lemon or cinnamon are added to food; it all depends on the individual preferences of the diabetic. As reviews show, after some time you can get used to the taste of the plant; the patient practically does not notice it.

Tablets and other plant-based preparations sold at pharmacies also have a bitter taste, which you will need to put up with or switch to other sugar substitutes. However, stevia is the most popular and sought-after sweetener that does not cause unwanted reactions in the body.

Today average rate Sugar consumption in our country is 90 g per day, with a norm of 50 g per adult. This causes the development of many diseases, the consequences of which are difficult to combat. That is why new sources of sweets are being actively sought. Artificial sweeteners have been invented, which have a number of disadvantages. An alternative has become the honey herb stevia - a natural sugar substitute that gradually displaces it from the diet. more people.

What is stevia

This is a perennial herbaceous shrub with straight stems 60-100 cm high. The leaves are valuable, of which there can be about 1 thousand on one bush. More than 250 varieties of this crop are known, which grow in South and North America.

The leaves are most sweet right before they bloom. Sucrose has 15 times less sweetness. The fact is that stevia contains substances that are contained only in it. They provide a unique sweetness. These are diterpene glycosides.

There are several techniques to extract valuable substances from leaves. The result is a low-calorie stevizoid powder that is 300 times sweeter than sugar. Unlike sucrose, stevia's sweet taste develops more slowly but lasts longer. It is not a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microflora.

Useful properties of stevia

When to take the product:

• for diabetes mellitus;
• to combat high weight and obesity;
• at elevated level blood sugar or cholesterol;
• with atherosclerosis;
• in case of disruption of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, ulcers, decreased enzyme production);
• for skin diseases (dermatitis, eczema, allergic reactions);
• for pathologies of gums and teeth;
• in case of disease of the thyroid gland, kidneys;
• to activate the immune system.

It is useful to take the herb stevia as a sugar substitute not only if you have certain health problems, but also as a preventive measure. Stevizoid helps preserve normal level glucose in the blood, produces a slight antibacterial effect.

Contraindications and harm

If the substance is taken in large doses, it can be toxic to the body. Before taking stevia, you should consult a doctor.

When not to use the product:

• In case of individual intolerance to the components of the product.
• If you have problems with blood pressure. The product is capable of lowering it, and strong jumps are not safe and can lead to undesirable consequences.
• If you do not follow the dosage, then overuse stevia can cause hypoglycemia (with reduced level glucose).
• Use with caution in pregnant women and young children.

Cost and forms of stevia release

You can purchase the product in every pharmacy or order online on specialized websites. Today, many manufacturers offer the product in different forms and in packages of different sizes, with and without additives.

Stevia can be purchased in tablets, powders, liquid form or dry leaves. Filter bags of 1g are also sold. A pack of this tea of ​​20 bags costs on average 50-70 rubles. The price may vary for each manufacturer. In tablet form, the product can be bought for 160-200 rubles, 150 tablets per package.

How to use stevia as a sweetener

The daily safe dose for an adult is 4 ml per 1 kg of body. If you brew dry leaves, then for 1 kg body goes no more than 0.5 g. If you take stevia in tablets, then 1 piece dissolved in a glass of water or other drink (tea, juice, compote) is enough for a day.

Stevia is acid and stress resistant high temperatures. Therefore, it can be combined with sour drinks or fruits. Its properties are preserved when baked, so it can be used in cooking.

To speed up the sweetening process of the drink, you need to heat it. The stevia herb releases its sweetness slowly into the cold liquid. Do not violate the dosage. People with diabetes should not take stevia along with blood sugar-lowering medications.

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Doctors' opinion about stevia

In 2004, stevia was approved as a dietary supplement. But there is a lot of debate among medical experts about whether it is worth replacing regular sweets with glucosides.

Any nutritionist will tell you that there is no need to focus on stevia during a diet. You cannot consume more than the prescribed norm. If you want to lose weight, it is better to avoid sugar altogether. If you want something sweet, you can eat honey and dates in moderation Tatyana Borisovna, nutritionist

Today, stevia can be bought at a pharmacy or ordered online. But I haven’t yet come across an extract without flavorings or any other additives. Therefore, as a doctor, I would recommend buying dry leaves of this plant. This is a clean and safe product." Nikolay Babenko, therapist

If weight is normalized in obese people, blood pressure decreases. In this regard, the use of stevia can help. But it cannot be perceived as a means for losing weight. It only works in combination with diet and physical activity. Quitting sugar is good for your health. But its substitutes are not a panacea for diseases." Nadezhda Romanova, gastroenterologist

If it is very difficult to give up sweets, you can replace sugar natural remedy– stevia. Eating this plant will not add extra calories. But we should remember that everything is good in moderation. An overdose can have undesirable consequences for the body. That's why useful product remains as long as it is used correctly.

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