- Certified Organic
- Zero Calorie Sweetener
- Natural
- Gluten Free
- Delicious, Clean Sweet Taste
- Sugar-Free
The use of Stevia dates back to 16th century South America, a time when the Guarani Indians of Paraguay referred to Stevia as kaa-he-he. Stevia leaves were first used to curb the bitterness of medicinal concoctions and a tea-like tribal drink known as maté.
Natives also enjoyed chewing the leaves of the Stevia plant on account of their natural sweetness. These primitive uses were first documented in 1887 by South American scientist, Antonio Bertoni. Twenty five years later, the primary constituents in Stevia were identified by two French scientists while studying the plant. NOW Stevia Extract is based on this very research.
Today, Stevia is cultivated all over the world and continually attracts new users and markets. NOW Stevia Extract is derived from Organically Grown Stevia rebaudiana, the most potent and effective species according to ongoing studies. As one of the industry's foremost providers of Stevia products, NOW Foods takes the quality of our Stevia very seriously.
NOW Stevia is tested for quality, and to ensure safety and purity, we us only USDA Certified Organic Stevia. NOW Certified Organic Stevia Extract is a dietary supplement with no bitter aftertaste and zero calories. It also contains Organic Inulin, a naturally-occurring dietary fiber and fructooligosaccharide that helps promote the growth of friendly intestinal flora. Organic inulin also has a low glycemic index (GI) rating making it suitable for the person on certain types of restricted diets.
For dieters, stevia is carbohydrate free, and contains no calories. This makes it possible for dieters to satisfy sweet cravings and used as much stevia as they enjoy, without ruining their eating plans. Some studies have shown that stevia can lower blood pressure.
One double-blind, placebo controlled study demonstrated that stevia taken at doses of 250 mg, three times a day for one year resulted in significant and lasting decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with moderate hypertension. For people with high blood sugar levels, stevia does a great job of lowering blood sugar levels. This makes it a wonderful sugar substitute for anyone with blood sugar and/or insulin problems, including diabetics. It is advisable for diabetics to continue to monitor their blood sugar levels and insulin levels after using Stevia, just to be safe.
Stevia stabilizes blood sugar levels, helps insulin resistance, may even promote insulin production by promoting the pancreas health, discourage glucose absorption in the blood, and inhibit candidiasis, a yeast infection that flourishes when fed sugar. It has also been shown to inhibit the craving for sweet and oily or fatty foods.
Other studies have shown that the antibacterial properties of Stevia may help with gingivitis, cavities, tooth decay and mouth sores, and suppresses the development of infectious organisms in the gums and teeth. Stevia also inhibits the growth of plaque and improves overall oral health. People who have used Stevia as a mouthwash has reported significant decrease in gingivitis, bad breath, bleeding gums, and other mouth infections.
|