Are you looking for an artificial sweetener for adding to your tea, coffee or some sweet dish? You may as well take to Stevia. Artificial sweeteners have been around for quite a while now. Initially, we were made to believe that they were the best replacement for sugar, and in fact, a much healthier version of it. And eventually it had become a health statement to include fancy, colourful sachets of ‘branded’ artificial sweeteners in our everyday articles of consumption. Well, the fad is now starting to fade as the consumers realize that these ‘sugar-free’ items come at a cost, and they are in fact robbing us of good health as well. A compromise here, a cause of concern there – that’s what these synthetically manufactured artificial sweeteners are.
Artificial Sweetener is NOT Really Healthy
Let us understand that sugar-free is not a word that is always synonymous to healthy eating. Rather many of the artificial sweeteners are usually prepared using chemicals, and these do not always come calorie-free. The main ingredients that these artificial sweeteners contain such as Aspartame, Sucralose etc. affect our body in various ways and can be dangerously harmful if continued to be consumed more frequently and for longer durations. Some ingredients have an ability to remarkably raise our blood sugar levels, while others could lead us to serious health-issues such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, a raised blood pressure, and various cardiovascular diseases etc. These are also known to increase our appetite and make us hog on to ‘artificially-sweetened’ products all the more at the end of the day. Thus, these synthetic artificial sweeteners could be taking us straight on the road to weight gain and obesity.
Do You Want Help?
Artificial sweeteners as perceived that they are extracted from natural sugar source are a misconception. It is essentially processed and refined sugar, which has its own baggage of side effects. However, it is also recommended that only a certain dosage of sweetener that is safe for your health. If you seriously wish to decrease your sugar intake and find a healthier substitute to treat your sugar-pangs, we suggest that you turn to natural, healthier sweeteners instead. Natural sweeteners like date sugar, honey, brown rice syrup etc. are good options as they taste sweet, contain high fibre, provide way less calories and also keep the guilt at bay.
Stevia is the Best Natural Sweetener
One of the best natural sweeteners known however, is Stevia. It is obtained from a herb, and its ingredients contain a compound known as Steviol glycoside, which does not get absorbed by our body. Thus, it is perfectly safe to be used as it gets conveniently flushed out from our body. Besides, it’s delicious, less-caloric and has a magical range of health benefits to offer.
Unmatched Health Benefits
There are many remarkable health and wellness benefits of Stevia.
- Prevents raised blood pressure
- Controls blood glucose level, thus preventing the growth of type-2 diabetes
- Improves pancreatic health
- Prevents the emergence/growth of acne and dandruff, thanks to its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties.
- The presence of these anti-bacterial properties allows Stevia to take care of our teeth and gums and prevent cavities and plaque, thus beating various oral problems.
- By not getting absorbed in our body, Stevia also helps us to keep a check on our weight. Unlike other sweeteners, it does not cause an increased appetite. The issue of obesity thus gets addressed.
- Minor skin infections as well as wounds can be easily cured by consumption of Stevia, as its therapeutic properties prevent the growth of bacteria as well as inflammation.
- The presence of a compound called retinoic acid in Stevia inhibits the breakdown of skin cells, thus preventing wrinkles and fine lines.
Give it a Try!
Still looking for that one best sweetener which gives you a ‘health-friendly’ sugar-fix? Tired of that ‘artificial’ factor in those sugar-free products? Here’s another good reason to replace your sugar with Stevia. Studies suggest that Stevia, being increasingly used by diabetics across the world as a sugar substitute, is 200-300 times sweeter than the usual table sugar that we consume. Reason enough to give it a try, we do believe!
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About the Author:
Dr Sonica Krishan is Author and Speaker in the areas of Healthy and Joyous Living through Ayurveda, Meditation, Yoga and other Contemplative practices. She is a leading Ayurveda Professional in India. She is also Health Writer, Columnist, Editor, Ayurveda Consultant and Holistic Healing Coach. Dr Sonica is open for National as well as International Collaborations with interested people / institutions in fields of Ayurveda, Meditation and Yoga.