Stevia: a sweetening plant
A millennial shrub, whose plants have been used for centuries by the Indians of South America to sweeten plant infusions, Stevia has long been renowned for its diuretic, hypotensive and hypoglycemic properties.
It was Japan that first launched its commercial use by authorizing Stevia extract as a food sweetener, following a ban in the 1970s on the use of artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or saccharin. From soy sauce to soft drinks, from rice cakes to pastries, Stevia is found in many food products in Asia and South America.
In the United States, it was not until the 1990s that Stevia was authorized for sale, but only as a dietary supplement; recently, 2 major brands of soft drinks obtained the right to use Stevia as a sweetener in drinks and to market them.
Stevia: a supply of minerals
But in France, Stevia is still considered a new food and must be subject to marketing authorization. Legislation does not yet authorize the use of Stevia in food products, but many people grow this plant and use it to sweeten their drinks and desserts!
The nutritional qualities of Stevia, which are the subject of no doubt in Asian countries, would be a significant contribution of minerals, vitamins and flavonoids very useful to our immune system.
With a sweetening power 100 to 300 times greater than that of sugar without the caloric effects of the latter, without forgetting its presupposed virtues on reducing blood pressure and lowering blood glucose levels, Stevia has something to seduce… but where can you find it?
Stevia: in what form?
In powder : This powder is made from dried stevia leaves. Its sweetening power is 10 to 15 times higher than that of sugar.
In standardized extract : it is a white powder soluble in water (but also available in liquid form). Its sweetening power is much higher than that of refined sugar (100 to 300 times), without any calories. It should therefore be used very sparingly.
Want to try? While waiting for the European administrative barriers to jump, it is possible to find some via Internet sites which trade in it.
Tip: choose a site that has a conversion table that allows you to properly dose the stevia.
