Stevia is a naturally occurring sweetener produced by an herb in the daisy flower family, according to SteviaInfo.com. This sweeter has been popular in Paraguay for hundreds of years, and is used in coffee, tea and other drinks. It is also popular in Japan. According to the Food and Drug Administration, this sweetener is safe for use in food and drink. It contains zero calories.
Sweetening
The primary effect of Stevia is to sweeten foods. Stevia.com points out that the substance can be 30 times more sweet than normal sugar. It is used throughout the world as a sugar substitute, in both homemade and pre-packaged foods.
Dieting
Because Stevia contains zero calories, it helps dieter's maintain his goals. According to Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, there 1 gram of sugar contains four calories. There are five grams of sugar in a teaspoon, which means that every spoon full of sugar has 20 calories. Three spoons of sugar adds 60 calories to your coffee, and that's if you only have one cup. By using Stevia, an individual can avoid the caloric intake that could thwart their weight loss plan.
Blood Sugar Maintenance
According to the American Diabetic Association, Stevia can be ingested by individuals who have to monitor their blood sugar levels. It has no effect on blood sugar, which makes it an attractive substitute for those who cannot ingest sugar. Diabetics typically have to monitor their blood sugar to prevent hyperglycemia, a condition in which the blood sugar rises to high levels. Smithson points out that sugar substitutes like Stevia are an answer for "cutting down your calories, lowering your blood sugar levels, and cutting back on simple sugars."
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