The Truth About Stevia

Stevia has received some harsh press over the last few years and this is rightfully so. The rise in refined Stevia products, mostly anything that is white and powdery, has caused many to question the safety of Stevia. However, it may not be the Stevia Plant that is the problem, but the way in which they process it…

In the production of white powdered Stevia, the plant is harshly stripped and refined and chemicals such as Hexane, Chloroform and Aqueous Ethanol are used. Leaving harsh residue that has the potential to get lodged in the vital organs of the body, which can lead to health issues.

BUT WAIT!

So YES, these refined, brand name products are incredibly questionable to your health BUT are you aware of all of the benefits of natural, raw Green Stevia Leaf?!

The plant itself has been used for centuries in its native land of South America as a therapeutic aid for hypoglycemia in diabetics. It also has the ability to help many other ailments and can be a very useful, alkaline, plant sweetener for your kitchen! Here are some of the benefits of Green Stevia Leaf:

1. Can help Regulate Blood Sugar

2. High in Antioxidants

3. Beneficial for Fighting Cavities and Gingivitis

4. Alkaline Forming

5. Can be very Helpful in Weight Loss

6. May help Kill Lyme Disease according to New Haven University

7. High in Vitamins and Minerals

8. May help Lower Blood Pressure

9. May help Kill Pathogens in the Body

10. May be helpful in the Prevention of Cancer

We use Green Stevia Leaf lightly in our Catie’s Organics products, not just to offer sweetness, but for the other health benefits it provides!

Let’s Elaborate on the benefits again…

The Green Stevia Leaf is a zero calorie herb that is one hundred times sweeter than sugar! It is also the only natural and unnatural sweetener that is “alkaline forming” in the body and it will not spike blood sugar levels.

Green Stevia Leaf also inhibits the growth of oral bacteria, so much so, that you could even brew it as a tea and use it as a mouthwash!

The last, and probably most intriguing potential benefit of Stevia,

is in the information below…

Fascinating information surfaced after a study done at New Haven University found that alcohol extracted stevia may be one of the most powerful fighters against B. burgdorferi, the pathogen responsible for Lyme Disease. It drastically outperformed the leading drugs used to treat Lyme (doxycycline, cefoperazone, daptomycin, and their combinations). 

In unfavorable environments, the pathogen produces a biofilm around itself and then goes dormant. This can often be due to the presence of antibiotics or improper pH or temperature for survival. In the antibiotic groups,  a week after treatment, viable B. burgdorferi started to surface again. This did not happen in the stevia group, however, which appeared to be a complete kill off after seven days.
 
According to the University, they say we are not at a stage where we can prescribe whole leaf, alcohol extracted liquid stevia to treat Lyme Disease and more tests need to be done. That’s not to say you have to avoid it in your diet as there are many other health benefits!



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