Top 7 Benefits of Stevia That Might Surprise You . When it comes to most sweeteners, the name usually gives away their bad reputation. But, when it comes to the sweetener that is called stevia, you might be pleasantly surprised at some of its benefits and uses.
Stevia is a plant, and it has been used for centuries in South America for adding sweetness to foods without adding calories. When you use stevia, you get the benefits of sweet without any of the negatives.
In fact, it’s often called the “natural sweetener.” That’s because stevia doesn’t have any of the negative side effects of other sweeteners, like sugar and artificial sweeteners. It’s safe to use, even in large amounts. Let’s explore the top 7 benefits of stevia you might be surprised to learn about.
1. Stevia Is Non-GMO
One of the benefits of stevia is that it’s non-GMO. Non-GMO foods are becoming popular because they’re healthier, and more environmentally friendly.
They’re also a good choice for those who have certain dietary restrictions on genetically modified foods. Stevia is often used as an alternative sweetener for those with diabetes, or for those who need to lower their sugar intake in order to manage their weight and health.
2. Stevia Is a Great Source of Rebaudioside
One of the benefits of stevia is that it can help you manage your blood sugar levels. It does this because it is a great source of rebaudioside, which has been found to boost insulin sensitivity and lower fasting blood glucose levels.
Some research even indicates that rebaudioside might be able to restore the pancreas cells in people with type 2 diabetes. That’s because it helps increase insulin production while also making sure it’s more effective in the body.
You may be surprised to learn that stevia also offers protection against osteoporosis and tooth decay, as well as alleviating symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and menopause symptoms.
3. Stevia Has Zero Glycemic Index
You’ve probably heard of glycemic index (GI) before, that’s the measurement of how much a food raises your blood sugar. The higher the GI, the more sugar and carbohydrates are in that food.
On the other hand, foods with low GI have a minimal impact on your blood sugar levels. Stevia has a glycemic index of zero, which can make it a great option for those who are watching their blood sugar levels or have diabetes.
That’s because stevia doesn’t raise your blood sugar and is safe to use even if you’re diabetic. This might be one of the top 7 benefits you didn’t know about stevia!
4. Stevia Can Help Fight Against Weight Gain
Stevia has been shown to help promote weight loss by regulating blood sugar levels. In one study, participants who received stevia were able to control their appetite better than those who did not receive the sweetener.
They also had better insulin sensitivity and lower triglyceride levels than those who did not receive the sweetener. 5. Stevia is a Natural Antioxidant In addition to helping regulate blood sugar levels, stevia can also help fight against oxidative stress in our bodies.
It contains properties that act as antioxidants and protect cells from free radicals, which can lead to cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses. 6. Stevia is Non-GMO Not only is stevia a natural sweetener, but it’s also non-GMO! These two factors make it an especially safe choice for those who are more conscious about what they put into their bodies.
The likelihood of stevia being contaminated with pesticides is much lower because it’s grown on farms where the use of chemicals like pesticides are restricted or prohibited altogether.
7. There Are No Known Side Effects The benefits of stevia go beyond weight loss as well as strengthening your immune system and fighting against oxidative stress; there are no known side effects associated with this natural sweetener that most people would need to worry about!
5. Stevia Contains Antioxidants
One of the benefits you might not know about with stevia is that it contains antioxidants. While this benefit may not be surprising to some, for those who don’t know about the health benefits of antioxidants, it might be a surprising thing to learn.
Antioxidants are known for fighting free radicals and protecting from cellular damage. 6. Stevia Can Help You Lose Weight If you’ve been looking for a way to lose weight without sacrificing your sweet tooth, then you’ll be happy to hear that stevia can help you out! Stevia is calorie-free and doesn’t have any carbohydrates or sugar, so it can help you cut back on your caloric intake.
It’s also a natural appetite suppressant because it has been shown in studies to increase serotonin levels in the body. Serotonin is associated with feelings of happiness, which helps curb cravings and promote weight loss.
By using this natural sweetener in place of other unhealthy sugars, you’ll be able to not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also lose weight – all at the same time!
6. Stevia Can Help Balance Taste buds
It’s hard to believe, but stevia can actually help balance your taste buds. When you eat foods that are high in sugar, the taste buds get desensitized.
This means that when you stop eating those sugary foods, they won’t taste as sweet and you may end up eating more of them to feel satisfied.
Stevia can help solve this problem by restoring your sense of taste and keeping you from craving sweets. This benefit is especially important for people who have type 2 diabetes or weight management issues.
It will help keep your blood glucose levels in check, which is important for diabetics and people trying to maintain a healthy weight.
7. Stevia Is an Incredible Cooking Ingredient
One of the best benefits of stevia is that it has no calories. That means you can use it in your baking or cooking with no worries about any extra calories.
It’s a great replacement for sugar and artificial sweeteners, which have been linked to weight gain and health problems. If you’re looking for a new way to add sweetness to your food without adding calories, try using stevia!
Final Words
Hopefully you found these stevia facts to be as helpful as I did in trying to make sense of this unique sweetener. I’m curious, have you ever tried using stevia? What do you think about it? Let me know in the comments below!