Do you dump spoonfuls of sugar into your coffee every morning? Or crave cookies and cake in the afternoon? Many people are dependent on sugar for a satisfying treat, pick-me-up or flavor enhancer.
As we all know, however, this sweet additive can have many harmful effects, including its role in rapid fluctuations of blood sugar levels and its tendency to promote the storage of fat.
If you just can’t give up that sweet treat, there is another option. Stevia, a plant species native to South and Central America, has recently been gaining national attention as an all-natural way to sweeten your food and beverages. Stevia has been widely popular in Japan since the 1970s, where it is used in food products and soft drinks.
Stevia extract is said to be 300 times sweeter than sugar, while the leaves of the plant are approximately 30 times sweeter than sugar. Unlike sugar, stevia has no effect on blood glucose levels, which means it does not lead to spikes and crashes that can make you wired, then tired. Stevia also has no calories and does not promote fat storage within the body, making it a smart way to get sweet.