Stevia Leaf (90% Steviosides)

History and Uses:
Stevia is a safe, all-natural alternative to artificial sweeteners and refined sugar in the diet. It has been used for centuries by native Indians in Paraguay, and consumed safely in massive quantities for the past twenty years. The Japanese use it in sugar-free chewing gums and diet sodas. It has undergone dozens of tests world-wide and was found to be free of toxins. Stevia has many uses aside from its traditional use as a sweetener. It has also been used as a medicine, a cosmetic ingredient, a pickling agent and as a dentifrice. As a "flavor enhancer," Stevia helps to bring out the flavors in cereals, breads, juices, berries, sherbets, candies, yogurt, ice cream, chewing gum, pickles, toothpaste and mouthwash. Stevia has also been used for alleviating bleeding gums, sore throats and cold sores due to its mild antibacterial functions. It has also been shown to inhibit the development of plaque and aid in the prevention of cavities. There have also been some claims that Stevia functions as an antidiabetic agent. Since Stevia does not break down when it is heated, it can be used in foods that are baked or cooked; however, because it does not caramelize, brown or crystallize like sugar does, meringues and caramel may be difficult to make. The refined Stevia extracts are considered to be calorie-free and do not raise blood sugar levels. Whereas the raw herbal form of Stevia contains nearly one hundred identified phytonutrients and volatile oils, Stevia extracts contain negligible nutritive benefits.