Проблема борьбы с лишним весом беспокоит многих people around the world and moving from the category of aesthetic defect to a serious illness requiring medical intervention. One of the means to combat the ill-fated kilograms is the use of the drug "Stevia" instead of regular sugar.
What is harmful sugar and how can it be replaced?
Scientists agree on the fact that sugarable to destroy the human body and causes many dangerous diseases, including diabetes, metabolic disorders and, as a result, obesity. The average daily consumption of sugar per person is not more than 50 grams, taking into account all sources - tea, juice, sweets, baking, chocolate and the like. Unfortunately, people are so addicted to sweets that they violate this norm several times. In Russia, the average consumption of this product per person exceeds 90 grams, and in the USA - over 150 grams. As a result of sugar exposure, the functions of the insular apparatus of the pancreas occur. In addition, sucrose destroys connective tissues, bones, teeth, blood vessels in the human body, which leads to the emergence of diseases such as caries, heart attack, hypertension, stroke, hyperglycemia. Since this substance is a carbohydrate, when decomposed it turns into fat, and when it is in excess, subcutaneous deposits are formed. The peculiarity of this product is that it becomes a kind of drug for people, because when it is consumed, hormones of joy are produced - endorphins, and I want sweets again and again. That is why people began to look for a way out of the situation and develop substances that would replace this product. Including was developed and sweetener based on stevia.
What is stevia?
"Stevia" (sweetener) is anatural sweetener, which is extracted from honey grass. This plant was originally found in Paraguay, but today it is grown already in many countries around the world. "Stevia" is much sweeter than regular sugar, but has a virtually zero calorie content, therefore it is actively used as a means to combat obesity. The advantage of this product is that it is very tasty, unlike other sweeteners. Today, "Stevia" has already become an integral part of the diet for diabetics, as it helps to normalize blood sugar levels, normalize body weight and promotes insulin production. This sweetener is considered one of the best in the world, as it is good for health and is made only from natural ingredients. Thanks to the ubiquitous distribution of this product, no one arises where to buy the stevia sweetener, as it is commercially available in almost any retail store.
Structure of the preparation
"Стевия" (сахарозаменитель) изготавливается из a perennial herb that has been known for more than 1.5 thousand years. Honey grass grows bushes, with each of which collect up to 1,200 leaves. It is the leaves that are of particular value. Stevia grows naturally in the north-eastern part of Paraguay, but after discovering its unique properties, it was grown on an industrial scale in many countries of the world with a favorable climate (China, Korea, Japan, USA, Ukraine, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel) on special plantations. The largest exporter of this herb is China. Stevia is 10-15 times sweeter than sucrose. This is due to its extraordinary composition, which includes diterpene glycosides, including stevioside, rebuadioside. These substances have a persistent sweet taste that lasts much longer than sucrose. In addition, they have an antibacterial effect. The sweetener is extracted from the leaves of honey grass by an extraction method, the result is usable in the form of Stevia powder (sweetener). Photos allow you to see what the plant looks like before and after processing.
Therapeutic effect
"Stevia" (sweetener) has in its compositionsaponins, which cause a light foaming effect and have an increased surface activity, are therefore widely used as an expectorant for treating diseases of the lungs and bronchi. This drug improves digestion, as it enhances the secretion of glands. It is used as a diuretic. Stevia improves the condition of the skin surface, increasing its elasticity, therefore it is widely used to treat skin diseases. The tool helps to relieve swelling, has anti-inflammatory effect, improves the process of absorption of substances in the body. Due to the flavonoids contained in the composition of honey grass, which are strong antioxidants, immunity is activated. In addition, "Stevia" strengthens the walls of blood vessels, capillaries, normalizes the level of cholesterol in the blood, splits fatty plaques and blood clots. The drug contains more than 53 different essential oils that suppress viruses, pathogens, have anti-inflammatory effect, tone up the work of the gall bladder, stomach, liver, intestines.
Beneficial features
"Stevia" (sweetener) has the following unique properties that distinguish this drug from the total mass of other sweeteners:
- 150-300 times sweeter than regular sugar;
- has zero calories;
- is not a favorable environment (unlike traditional sugar) for the development of bacteria, but, on the contrary, causes an antibacterial effect;
- normalizes blood glucose levels;
- it is well dissolved in water;
- a small dosage is necessary due to the high level of sweetness;
- widely used in cooking, as it is not exposed to high temperatures, acids and alkalis;
- sweetener is safe for human health. This fact tested the Guarani tribe over a 1000-year history of plant use;
- is an exclusively natural product.
Indications
"Stevia" is recommended to use as a sweetener:
- patients with diabetes mellitus;
- people suffering from overweight and obesity;
- people with high blood sugar levels;
- for the treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including, with ulcers, gastritis, reducing the production of enzymes;
- for the treatment of viral and infectious diseases;
- with a high level of cholesterol in the blood;
- to activate the immune forces of the body;
- in allergic reactions, dermatitis and other skin diseases;
- in diseases of the kidneys, thyroid and pancreas.
Those who are interested in where to buysugar substitute "Stevia", it is important to know that the drug today can be found in many places. So, it is sold in retail stores, pharmacies, retail chains of goods for health, dietary supplements, vitamins.
Sweetener "Stevia": contraindications
Stevia, like any other sweetener, has a number of contraindications. Therefore, the following information should be kept in mind:
- Before using the drug, you should consult with your doctor about the presence of individual intolerance to its individual components;
- since Stevia lowers blood pressure whenexcessive doses may experience strong jumps. Therefore, the use of sweetener is better to give to people suffering from cardiovascular diseases and problems with blood pressure;
- with low blood glucose levels and excessive consumption of “Stevia”, a hypoglycemic state may be observed.
To avoid harm to health, it is important to adhere to a strict dosage.
Stevia for weight loss
Millions of people around the world are sufferingthe weight caused by unhealthy and unhealthy food is the abuse of too sweet, fatty and heavy foods. Therefore, this problem takes a global scale. The stevia sweetener in tablets is used by those people who thus seek to stop using sugar, which leads to the accumulation of fatty deposits. When using sweeteners, people do not feel strangled in sweets, but at the same time the calorie content of dishes is significantly reduced, since Stevia contains almost 0 kcal. The peculiarity of the product is that the substances contained in its composition are much sweeter than sugar, therefore a small dosage is necessary, moreover, they are not absorbed in the intestine, which only benefits the figure. However, it is worth noting that the side effects of "Stevia" are not yet fully understood, so you should not be too carried away with the use and exceed the dosage to avoid unintended consequences. Sweetener can not only be added to tea or coffee, but also used in cooking.
Use for diabetics
According to the study of Moscowlaboratory, natural sweetener "Stevia" with constant use reduces the level of glucose, cholesterol in the blood. In addition, this product improves the functioning of the liver, pancreas and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. The drug can be used in the treatment of diseases of the joints, in which you want to eliminate the use of sugar. Honey grass is a means of preventing the development of hypoglycemic conditions that occur in diabetes mellitus. It can be used in diseases of the heart, skin, teeth, disorders of the digestive tract, atherosclerosis. The sweetener stimulates the adrenal medulla and with regular use increases the quality and standard of living. According to research results, Paraguayans who used stevia instead of sugar do not have such diseases as overweight and diabetes. According to statistics, each Paraguayan eats about ten kilograms of honey grass per year.
How to take "Stevia" and what is the dosage?
Sweetener with stevia is sold in variousspecies - dry leaves, tablets, liquid, tea bags. Dry leaves are brewed in tea. The dosage is 0.5 grams per 1 kilogram of body weight. 0.015 grams of stevia in liquid form replace one cube of sugar. When using stevia in pill form, it is enough to dissolve one piece in 1 glass of drink.
Side effects
Studies have allowed to establishthat when taking a natural sweetener "Stevia" no side effects and negative effects on the human body are observed, provided the dosage is observed even with prolonged use, unlike synthetic sugar substitutes. In case of violation of the dosage may occur hypertensive crisis, as well as heart palpitations. It is not recommended to use a sweetener for diabetics in conjunction with additional drugs to reduce sugar levels.
Sweetener "Stevia": harm or benefit?
There are many disputes in the world community.about replacing stevia with conventional sweets. Opponents of "Stevia" claim that for the stevioside, which is part of the sweetener, the human body does not have enzymes for cleavage, so it removes the substance in an unchanged form. In the intestine, this element breaks down into steviol and glucose. Steviol is considered to be similar in its properties to steroid hormones, therefore it can cause hormonal disturbances and reduce sexual activity. However, studies conducted on chickens, which, instead of water, were given a solution of stevia with a concentration of 5 grams per 100 milliliters, showed that the sugar substitute does not cause a violation of the reproductive function. And also those consumers who have already tried the stevia sugar substitute agree. Reviews about him confirm that violations in the sexual sphere is not observed.
Customer's opinion
Those who have already consumed stevia sweetenerreviews leave ambiguous. So, some buyers say that the drug has a pleasant taste. Others argue that it can be slightly bitter, which is not customary after eating regular sugar. Consumers use "Stevia" not only as an additive to drinks, but also used in homemade preparations for the winter, in baked goods, they make jam. However, there are difficulties with the correct dosage, you have to use the table for a more accurate calculation.
