Stevia Makes Sweet Progress with FDA Approval

I love tea. And I love a little something sweet in it. Yet I have learned that it’s better to avoid too much sugar. Not so much for the fear of gaining weight (not exactly my problem) but because sugar tends to feed the wrong kind of processes in our body. So I was happy that, quite a few years ago, I found stevia. Stevia is a plant from the Amazone with very sweet leaves. Stevia is much sweeter than sugar, yet it has no calories or any of the other bad effects that sugar has. Stevia is available in drops and as a powder. You can get it in natural food stores as a supplement. Yes, stevia is not supposed to be an alternative for sugar. It can only be sold as a supplement. At least that was the case until the Food and Drug Administration approved stevia for use as an alternative sweetener in food just a few days ago.

This is a very important breakthrough. Lots of people use “light” versions of all kinds of food products. These products are sweetened with artificial sweeteners like aspartame. These artificial sweeteners have been suspect. Some studies seem to indicate that they are carcinogenic. Others suggest that they support rather than fight obesity. Although science may not have given the final verdict on these artificial sweeteners yet, there are good reasons to avoid these as much as possible.

All major food companies are familiar with the possibilities of stevia. However until the recent FDA decision the manufacturers of artificial sweeteners have been successful in blocking the entry of stevia to the sweetener market. They have used a lot of money and bad science to prevent the entry of stevia, which–as a plant–contrary to the artificial sweeteners cannot be patented.

So the new year begins with some sweet progress. Look at the label of your light soft drink in the months ahead. And, in the mean time, do buy some drops to sweeten your tea. Highly recommended.

Jurriaan Kamp is the founder and editor of Ode Magazine, the magazine for intelligent optimists.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Carole R.

3:49PM PDT on Apr 6, 2012

Good information.

send a green star

Sheri L.

2:41AM PST on Jan 10, 2012

I'm gonna grow my own this year

Past Member .

7:20PM PST on Jan 9, 2012

We've had it in our supermarkets (Australia) for over a year. Good luck with the FDA, America. T

Summerannie M.

5:27PM PST on Jan 9, 2012

They ARE sweet..thats why they use the leaves. It is far cheaper to buy a plant than to buy a container of tablets. you can nip off a tiny amount of the leaf or half of the leaf or use the entire leaf. Your choice. There are ZIP side effects other than its too sweet. If this is the problem then its all about trial and error in finding the right balance. So your going out for a coffee...now what to do? Easy go and get your leaves put them in a tissue or a tiny plastic storage bag for food..I guess and leave it in your bag. Dried out STEVIA you can cook with and add to your beverages too. By doing this you might very well opt out of using Stevia or any sugar after a while. Seriously I have tasted Stevia the plant and its 300 TIMES sweeter than REAL SUGAR..but the good news is its healthy for you and without side effects ..NO SPIKES in diabetes.
If you use a teaspoon of sugar or a pillule then nip the top of a leaf and keep adding it and sipping till you know how far and how sweet you want it to be. Once you have done that, you've got it licked and youre right. I dont add any to my beverages b/c I was on artificial sweeteners decades ago and got very sick and now a diabetic thanks to artificial sweeteners and the pack of lies in advertising so now its my job to try and convert those people hooked on artificial sweeteners for something healthier. I have succeeded with hundreds so far..and diet coke, zero , low cal drinkers too...these products are loaded with artificial sweete

Brenda T.

8:01AM PST on Jan 9, 2012

It comes in pill form too, but they are too big. I need to cut them in half , they are so sweet.

jerry c.

3:47AM PST on Jan 9, 2012

thanks

3:44AM PST on Jan 9, 2012

Thank you so much I needed to know that

KS G.

4:53AM PDT on Jun 22, 2011

Thanks for the article.

1:20AM PDT on Jun 3, 2011

In Melb Australia at a Market, I tracked down a Stevia plant...just too see what it's like and to taste it. No good spieling on about how good it is, naturally and the herbal plant without having it. So I bought it for a mere $2.50. Mind you it was a smallish plant but it stands even now at around 10 inches high. I didnt think it was a bad deal, so I bought it.
The seller said 'go on, put the leaf in your mouth and taste it and tell me what you think.' I did and the sweetness of the leaf melted in my mouth very quickly.

TO GERALD and others who want to try it. Just nip a leaf. ONE LEAF and drop it into your tea of coffee and let the leaf swirl around and your beverage will be very sweet as your health will be too. DONT WASH THE LEAF! or the sweetness will disappear. I keep my plant indoors as Stevia doesnt like frost it likes warmth.

you can apparently cook with it too with the crushed leaves but I havent tried that. I dont use STEVIA leaves in my tea or coffee b/c I never add it but its there for anyone who wants to imbibe and use this marvellously healthy herb.
Track it down and get healthy!

Gerald M.

11:51AM PDT on Jun 2, 2011

Thank you for this invaluable information.
It's now on my shopping list.