| We are all aware that sugar is not our friend. | | | | Vitamin A & C, Phosphorus, Potassium, |
| Sugar increases insulin levels and may lead to a | | | | Riboflavin, Fiber, Protein, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, |
| myriad of diseases such as high blood pressure, | | | | Calcium |
| heart disease, obesity, inflammation, premature | | | | Because the human body does not metabolize |
| aging and so on. | | | | the sweet compound in Stevia, called glycoside, |
| Artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame | | | | (causing the body to pass it through normal |
| (NutraSweet, Equal) and Splenda come with their | | | | channels without raising blood sugar) it is an |
| own set of debilitating and damaging effects. | | | | excellent sugar substitute for those wishing to |
| These chemical substitutes are not the answer | | | | lose weight. |
| for good health or for caloric restriction. | | | | Research carried out in Japan and South America, |
| Aspartame for example has been linked to brain | | | | clearly demonstrates the beneficial effects of |
| cancer, emotional disorders, seizures, and birth | | | | Stevia in regulating blood sugar levels and |
| defects. More than 75% of all non-drug complaints | | | | supporting the pancreas, reducing the symptoms |
| to the FDA are about Aspartame. These side | | | | of diabetes and hypoglycemia. Other traditional |
| effects are but a small sampling of the 100's of | | | | uses of Stevia are to lower elevated blood |
| adverse reactions caused by Aspartame. | | | | pressure (hypertension), as a digestive aid, to |
| Animal research has linked Splenda (succulous) | | | | reduces gas and stomach acidity, and inhibit the |
| with enlarged liver and kidneys, shrunken thymus | | | | growth and reproduction of bacteria that cause |
| glands, reduced growth rate and aborted | | | | gum disease and tooth decay. |
| pregnancies. Available only since 1999, the reports | | | | Stevia is widely used all over the world, from |
| of adverse effects on humans is beginning to | | | | Japan (claiming 41% of the sweetener market, |
| evolve, but understand that people having | | | | including sugar), China, Germany, Israel, South |
| adverse reactions may not make the connection. | | | | Korea and so on. And we repeat, with no reports |
| Reducing or quitting sugar altogether is beneficial | | | | of toxicity. In the US, the FDA banned this natural |
| to good health. Yet, we all know how very hard | | | | non-caloric alternative to sugar and artificial |
| this is to do. In our house, we have consciously | | | | sweeteners in 1991. But, since the passage of the |
| reduced sugar to almost nothing. We do however, | | | | Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act |
| need a bit of sweetener on occasion, for example | | | | (DSHEA), Stevia can be sold legally in the United |
| to sweeten lemon aid, ice tea, coffee, whole grain | | | | States, but only as a "dietary supplement." |
| cereal, oatmeal etc. We therefore recommend | | | | Why?...Well, money talks and pockets and |
| choosing Stevia over sugar or artificial | | | | influence run deep. |
| sweeteners. | | | | Many companies today are using this as a |
| What is Stevia? | | | | sweetener (whoops! dietary supplement) in |
| Stevia is a non caloric sweetener, an herb, native | | | | nutrition bars, meal replacement drinks, protein |
| to Paraguay. It has been used as a sweetener for | | | | powders, etc. And generally, you don't have to go |
| centuries in Paraguay and decades in Japan | | | | to the health food store to find it. Most grocery |
| without a single complaint regarding harmful | | | | stores are now stocking it. If yours does not, just |
| effects. This small green plant bears leaves which | | | | ask. I'm sure they won't mind stocking it. Ours |
| have a delicious and refreshing taste that is 10-15 | | | | didn't. |
| times sweeter than table sugar. This extracts | | | | If you give Stevia a try, be patient, it may not |
| called steviosides, claim as much as 200-300 times | | | | suit you the first few times you try it but believe |
| the sweetness of table sugar. | | | | me, soon you'll wonder why you ever used |
| This is a natural dietary supplement which studies | | | | anything else. Stevia is actually good for your |
| have shown offers a bounty of health benefits. | | | | health! It's a no-brainer! Do yourself and your |
| Here are just some of the nutrients found in the | | | | family a big favor and try Stevia like our family |
| leaf. | | | | has. It just may be a health changing experience. |