Stevia Extract Benefits

The sweet-tasting leaves of the stevia plant have been valued for centuries because of their pleasant taste and medicinal properties. In Western markets, this hardy plant is gaining popularity as a sugar substitute and medicinal herb. While many of the benefits of stevia remain unproven, others have been validated by modern scientific studies. The World Health Organization regards stevia as safe and nontoxic, with few known side effects or contraindications.

Low-Calorie Sweetener

Extracts of stevia are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar but contain no calories. Stevia is an appealing sugar alternative because it lacks the bitter aftertaste of artificial sweeteners. Stevia's sweetness lingers for a longer period of time than sugar, so it can provide a more satisfying flavor experience than conventional sweeteners. Stevia extract may enable weight loss by providing a safe, natural alternative to high-calorie food ingredients.

Digestive Health

According to a report by the Pakistani Agricultural Research Council, the Guarani Indians of Paraguay traditionally used stevia to treat indigestion and heartburn. Stevia may help to reduce symptoms of gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD), but no studies have evaluated its efficacy.

Blood Sugar Support

Unlike most sweeteners, which cause an abrupt increase in blood-glucose levels, stevia extract will not significantly alter blood sugar levels. A study at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark found that stevia actually increases insulin production in mice. Because of this important benefit, stevia is regarded as an ideal sweetener for people suffering from diabetes and reactive hypoglycemia.

Blood Pressure Support

Traditionally, healers have recommended stevia to people suffering from hypertension and tachycardia, but these uses have only recently become the subject of scientific investigation. In April 2010, scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital conducted a systematic review to determine stevia's efficacy as a medicinal herb. The authors of the review determined that stevia may be an effective long-term treatment for hypertension, but concede that more studies will be needed to demonstrate this use. Because stevia may reduce blood pressure, those with hypotension should use it with caution.