Overview
Stevia is a small South American shrub whose leaves are naturally, remarkably sweet thanks to compounds called steviol glycosides. As a green leaf powder it offers gentle sweetness with essentially no calories and no impact on blood sugar — a favourite for anyone reducing sugar.
Traditional uses
- Used as a natural sweetener in teas, porridge and drinks.
- Favoured by those managing sugar intake or blood-sugar balance.
- A traditional sweet herb chewed straight from the leaf.
Benefits
Sugar-free sweetness
Sweetens naturally without the calories or blood-sugar spike of sugar.
A little goes far
Intensely sweet — a pinch replaces spoonfuls of sugar.
Tooth-friendly
Unlike sugar, stevia does not feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
How to prepare & use
- 1Add a small pinch to tea, coffee, porridge or smoothies — adjust to taste.
- 2Use in baking as a natural sugar alternative.
- 3Dissolve in a little warm water to make a liquid sweetener.
Questions
Will it raise my blood sugar?
Stevia has virtually no effect on blood sugar, which is why it's popular with people watching their intake.
How much do I use?
Begin with a small pinch — it is far sweeter than sugar.
Caution. Natural and generally well tolerated. Start with a tiny amount — green leaf stevia is very concentrated. These notes are for general education and do not replace advice from a qualified health professional.