What is stevia and how is it useful. Stevia plant: indications and contraindications, properties and uses

The amazing stevia was used as a remedy for various diseases and just as a sweetener in South America back in the 17th century, when no one knew about ordinary sugar. Its unique healing properties became known much later, when scientists were able to study its composition. The plant is used for food modern world not so long ago, for example, in Japan - the last 50 years. Sweet grass in the diet is one of the reasons high rate Japanese life expectancy.

The amazing stevia has long been used as a remedy for various diseases.

Stevia belongs to the Compositae family and is a perennial plant. Flower white color, small. Grass is a distant relative of dandelion and chamomile. But, unlike them, it is very thermophilic and dies at temperatures below + 10ºС.

This plant is now very popular, as it is a natural substitute for regular white sugar, exceeding its sweetness by about 30 times. Makes it a leader among sugar substitutes low calorie and the ability to lower blood glucose levels. healing properties endowed with a variety of stevia rebaudiana. It is used as a natural sweetener.

The plant is used as food in the modern world not so long ago, for example, in Japan - the last 50 years

Stevia means "honey" in the Mayan language. From an ancient legend it is known that this is the name of a young girl who fearlessly sacrificed herself to save the people of her tribe. The gods generously endowed the girl for her devotion to her fellow tribesmen with amazing emerald grass with small white flowers, which bestows great strength and eternal youth.

This honey grass was brought to Europe quite recently, in the 20th century. And in the 17th century, the Spanish conquistadors, while in America, learned that the natives used it in the preparation of healing drinks. These drinks were used for various diseases, to relieve fatigue. Due to its sweet taste, this plant complements the composition of Paraguayan matcha tea.

For the first time, the scientist Antonio Bertoni wrote about him in 1887 from South America. After a detailed study of the properties of the plant received worldwide fame. This herb first came to the USSR in the 1970s. It was supposed to supplement the diet of astronauts, intelligence officers, and submarine crews.

It is not known for sure whether these plans were realized, but after studying, the positive effect of the sweet plant on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism was scientifically proven.

This honey grass was brought to Europe quite recently, in the 20th century.

In 1990, stevia was named the most important plant for the fight against diabetes. Its medicinal properties have a wide spectrum of action. Now this plant is grown not only in America and Brazil, but also in China, Japan, Korea and the Crimea. And not only in the summer in the ground, but also in the winter as indoor plant.

Gallery: stevia herb (25 photos)

Stevia: benefits and harms (video)

Medicinal qualities of sweet grass

The ability to replace ordinary sugar is not the only advantage of this plant.

Stevia does not increase blood glucose, but, on the contrary, helps to reduce this indicator. Therefore, it is recommended for people with diabetes. Grass at diabetes absolutely safe, unlike other sweeteners containing carcinogens.

Such a sugar substitute has a positive effect on performance blood pressure bringing them back to normal. Helps to eliminate "bad" cholesterol and prevents clogging of blood vessels. Positive impact on work thyroid gland and helps to eliminate toxins. The use of herbs in food tones the body, stopping the aging process. It has a rejuvenating effect on the skin, slows down the appearance of wrinkles. The plant has a positive effect on health oral cavity, protecting teeth from caries, and gums from periodontal disease.

Such a sugar substitute has a positive effect on blood pressure indicators, bringing them back to normal.

The herb has a wide range of activities. This is due to the amazing richness of its composition. It contains the following trace elements:

• magnesium;
• copper;
• calcium;
• potassium;
• selenium;
• silicon;
• phosphorus;
• zinc.

The use of the plant has a beneficial effect on the functions of the stomach and pancreas. When taking medications that Negative influence on the gastric mucosa, this herb reduces possible adverse reactions. This sugar substitute is rich in antioxidants, which allows you to cleanse the body of toxins. It has a calming effect on the skin, relieves inflammation. Its use is very effective for losing weight, normalizing the metabolic process and increasing immunity. This amazing tool is perfect for those people who:

• take care of their health;
• are sick with atherosclerosis;
• are overweight;
• have metabolic disorders;
• suffer from diabetes;
• need sugar substitutes.

The use of stevia instead of sugar reduces the manifestations of allergies in the human body, for example, unlike honey, which is a strong allergen. Compared to honey, this remedy is also less caloric, which is very important for people with a tendency to gain weight.

Contraindications for use

Stevia leaf extract is called stevioside. He makes honey grass sweeter than sugar. The substances that make up the stevioside are not broken down by the body due to the lack of the necessary enzymes. They pass through the digestive tract without digestion. Some glycosides that enter the intestines are processed by bacteria, as a result of which steviosides are transformed into steviols. In their structure, the latter are similar to steroid hormones. Scientists have concluded that this substance can affect hormonal background and suppress sexual activity. According to this assumption, studies have been carried out, after which it turned out that it is almost impossible to achieve such an effect. To do this, you need to use grass in unrealistically large quantities.

Contraindications for the use of stevia include pregnancy and lactation to avoid possible adverse reactions, as well as personal intolerance, so as not to cause allergies. You can not eat this herb with diathesis and gastroenteritis, it is undesirable for people with low blood pressure, as this can cause an even greater decrease in pressure. Do not combine it with milk - an upset stomach may occur.

Be sure to follow the expiration dates on the package, and store ready-made decoctions and infusions in a cool place for no more than 5 days. Contraindications to the use of the plant are insignificant, but it is still worth paying attention to these data so as not to harm health.

Use honey grass V moderate amounts will not harm your health. Active substances plants will strengthen the immune system, increase protective functions organism. But its use should be cyclical: periodically it is worth replacing with other organic sweeteners - honey or maple syrup.

The use of stevia for food purposes

You can use sweet grass in cooking wherever regular sugar is used. You can even bake sweets in the oven bakery products- grass tolerates heat treatment about +200ºС. Due to the low calorie content - 18 kcal per 100 g (for comparison: white sugar - 387 kcal per 100 g) - it can be used as food for people suffering from extra pounds.

Often the herb is used in the preparation of drinks. Its leaves, when infused in cool water, give off even more sweetness than in hot water. If a cool drink is allowed to brew, it will become even sweeter. The herb goes well with drinks and fruits that have sour taste: oranges, lemons, apples. Can be used with frozen foods - it will not lose its medicinal properties. It can also be used in alcoholic beverage production.

You can use sweet grass in cooking wherever regular sugar is used.

Stevia herb can be bought at a specialty store, pharmacy or supermarket. It comes in the form of dried leaves, ground as a powder, in the form of tablets or liquids (syrups, tinctures). The method of preparation of drinks or culinary dishes is usually indicated on the packaging. If the herb is purchased in the form of dried leaves, then you can make an infusion from it yourself. To do this, 20 g of the plant should be poured with 1 cup of boiling water. Bring this mixture to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Leave the decoction for about 10 hours. Filter - and you can use. The infusion is stored for 3 to 5 days in a cool place.

Sugar substitute (video)

Cultivation and care

You can grow honey grass outdoors or at home. This plant is from the tropics, so with the onset of cold weather it must be brought to a warm place, otherwise it will die. Important conditions are heat and a large number of Sveta. In low light or low temperatures, the growth of grass is greatly slowed down, and the accumulation of sweetness is reduced. In the house, it is better to place it on the south or southwest window.

Stevia propagates in two ways: seeds and cuttings. The pot needs a volume of at least 2 liters. It is necessary to provide drainage with a thickness of 2 cm. Optimum soil: about 50% peat soil, 25% ordinary garden soil and 25% coarse sand. First, the pot is half filled with soil, then the cuttings or seedlings are planted. As the plants grow, soil is sprinkled on top.

When the honey grass grows up to 20 cm, it is necessary to prune in the middle of the internode. Pruning stimulates active growth twigs and leaves, the plant will look like a bush. The cut top can be rooted. After pruning, you need to make a greenhouse for the plant by putting a plastic cap or bag on top of the pot, and remove it from a sunny place. If pruning is not done, then the plant will stretch strongly upwards and leaf growth will slow down.

Growing from seeds begins by sowing in plastic pots in mid-April. After 1.5-2 months, seedlings can be transplanted into a separate pot. The pots are taken out into the street not immediately after transplantation, but first for 2 hours a day for hardening. Then you can take it out for good or even dig it in the garden. It is possible to grow honey grass in open soil until about the beginning of September, it should be brought into the house when the temperature drops to + 10ºС.

You can grow honey grass outdoors or at home.

Caring for is easy. Regular watering and spraying is required. It is impossible to allow the drying of the earth or its waterlogging, otherwise the plant will die.

Overestimate the merits this plant very hard. Grass increases the bioenergetic abilities of the body. She is absolutely harmless and does not lose her medicinal qualities when heated. Contains a lot of various trace elements, amino acids, flavonoids, essential oils, antioxidants. This herb has so many advantages that the inclusion of stevia in your diet, replacing regular sugar with it, is correct solution And Right way to health, beauty and long youth.

Stevia - what is it, is there any benefit from the use of stevia for the body or is it another publicity stunt?

So, stevia is a honey herb, delicious and useful sweetener plant origin(see photo).

Everyone has a need for sweets. It is necessary in order to keep the body in good shape. Now, there are enough products that replace sugar, but not all of them are useful.

Those who are sweet are at risk of gaining extra pounds and exceeding the sugar content in the body. Therefore, it is so important to know. This article will talk about stevia - a sugar substitute that is able to control its content in the human body. And, of course, we will talk about the benefits and harms of stevia for human health.

Stevia honey - sweet herb

Stevia is not the only alternative to regular white. But, it can rightfully be called a leader among products that replace it. This is a grass of the chrysanthemum family, which looks like a small bush.

Brazil is considered the birthplace of stevia. Over time, it has adapted to other parts of the planet. Now the plant can be found even in the Crimea.

Useful properties of stevia

For the first time, the Indians learned about the properties of the plant.

• Its leaves contain steviosides. These are sweeteners that are 300 times sweeter than sugar. And these are not empty carbohydrates at all ... since the plant also contains essential oils, tannins, many vitamins (C, E, B, P) and trace elements (iron, zinc, potassium, chromium, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, etc.), so it turns out an excellent sweetener from stevia.

• Despite this, stevia has almost zero calorie level. 18 kcal, less than the record holders from the end in terms of caloric content - cabbage and. It is for this reason that honey grass is so loved by those who seek to throw off excess weight. Stevia gives a unique opportunity to lose weight and indulge in sweets.

• It does not contain glucose, which also increases its value compared to sugar.

• The leaves of this plant contain tannins, which positive influence on the mucous membrane.

Can stevia be used by diabetics?

Endocrinologists agree that with diabetes, drinking stevia is not only possible, but also necessary in moderation.

Daily addition of this product to tea or coffee has a positive effect on digestion, increases physical activity, stimulates mental work. Scientists in their latest research Stevia has been proven to help reduce cravings for alcoholic beverages.

Buy this product can be found in almost every pharmacy. It is sold as a white powder, which can successfully replace sugar.

Benefits of stevia for the body

So what is the benefit of stevia? Not only the stevia herb is just a sugar substitute…

This valuable product is able to have a therapeutic effect on the human body.

• For example, with its help you can, the level of cholesterol.

• The herb's anti-inflammatory qualities make it the go-to remedy during cold seasons to strengthen protective equipment organism, disease prevention. Stevia destroys the beginnings of inflammation in the respiratory system, normalizes digestive processes.

• Being a storehouse of vitamins, stevia eliminates beriberi, which can occur as a result of malnutrition. It is useful in winter, when people have a need to saturate the body with useful substances and vitamins.

• It is believed that the constituent plants do not like it, it interferes with their reproduction and prosperity.

• Grass regulates metabolic processes, promotes weight loss, increased appetite as such, there is a mild diuretic effect.

• With regular use of stevia disappear skin irritations, rash. Noticeable regenerative effect.

• The herb is used for oncoprophylaxis, it is favorable in the treatment of the thyroid gland, liver, joint diseases.

• Now big number people suffer from depression. Stevia will provide good mood during the day. With great mental stress, it can also be drunk as an infusion.

How to use stevia

The traditional way to use stevia sweetener is to add it to tea, compote or coffee instead of sugar. Herbal teas, syrup, tablets and stevia powders are produced by the industry. Many grow a plant in their backyards, it is not too capricious.

From its leaves, an infusion is prepared, which is used as a sweetener in drinks or homemade cakes. This infusion is put in a cool place where it is stored for a whole week.

Stevia does more than just sweeten drinks and foods. It gives a pleasant aroma to coffee, tea or culinary products. With it, food becomes healthy and pleasant to the taste.

Health benefits of stevia

There are several uses for stevia. For example, you can make an infusion from it, which can be diluted with drinks or herbal decoctions.

Preparation of the infusion

For the infusion, you need a glass of dried stevia leaves, which should be wrapped in gauze, put in a liter jar, and pour boiling water over it. The liquid is infused for a day, after which it is boiled for 60 minutes.

Stevia tincture

You can make stevia tincture:
20 grams of dry leaves of this plant should be poured into a glass pure alcohol. After a day, the infusion should be filtered and added to the tea 40 drops each. This remedy is also useful to drink during a flu epidemic and when a cold begins.

Stevia decoction

To have healthy hair fresh face, you can pour two tablespoons of dry leaves into 250 g of boiling water and cook over very low heat for half an hour. After that, the liquid can be drained into another container, and again pour 0.5 cups of boiling water over the napkin with grass. The resulting liquid should be allowed to stand for an hour. After that, the decoction should be combined with the infusion and drunk before meals.

External use of stevia in cosmetology

Stevia is used as a cosmetic.

A decoction of it is wiped on the face, rubbed into the scalp. This tool helps, makes the skin supple. After rubbing the infusion, the hair becomes obedient and shiny.

Stevia in cooking

You can make winter preparations from stevia, in useful properties which many housewives have already seen.

For example, to prepare raspberry compote, you can take a liter jar, pour berries into it. The syrup with which compote is poured is done as follows: fifty grams of stevia sweetener are added to a glass of water. It is poured into jars with raspberries and pasteurized for several minutes.

You can also make compote from other fruits or berries - strawberries, peaches, apples,.

The use of stevia has a positive effect on the figure. Its constant use will be an excellent way out for people who are prone to fullness.

Possible harm of stevia

• Stevia-based infusions and decoctions should be stored in a cold place for about a week. When using the powder, you need to pay attention to the expiration date.

• Of its few contraindications, there may be diathesis, allergic reactions and gastroenteritis.

• If you combine the intake of stevia with milk, diarrhea can easily begin.

• Patients with low blood pressure should be on their guard with stevia, an even greater decrease in indicators is possible.

• Pregnant women should also be careful to avoid unforeseen effects.

In moderation, use in small portions this tool not only harmless, but also useful. This is especially true for people with diabetes.

In terms of its sweetness, the plant surpasses sugar by 15-20 times, shocking everyone with its low calorie content - 100 g of the product contains only 18 kcal. Such characteristics are not inherent in all types of plants. To replace sugar and for preventive purposes, honey stevia is used. Other subspecies growing in natural conditions, are not so valuable, because they contain natural sweet substances in too small quantities.

Plant features

Stevia is a lover of heat and dry climate, therefore it grows in subtropical latitudes. The homeland of the plant is considered to be South and Central America (Brazil, Paraguay). It grows in semi-arid conditions, both in the highlands and on the plains. Stevia seeds have very poor germination, so it is propagated vegetatively.

Due to its excellent taste, as well as high antioxidant abilities, stevia is actively cultivated. Eastern countries- Japan, China, Indonesia, Thailand. Breeding and selection of new sweet species are carried out in Ukraine, Israel, and the USA.

It is also popular to grow stevia at home as a houseplant. After wintering, the grass is planted in open ground. Over the summer, a small bush grows beautifully, allowing you to collect an impressive crop of sweet leaves.

Botanical description

Stevia is a herbaceous perennial bush, formed as a result of active branching of the main stems. Its height can reach 120 cm. climatic conditions stevia does not branch and grows like a herb with a thick stem about 60 cm long.

• root system. Long and even cord-like roots form a fibrous stevia rooting system, penetrating deep into the soil up to 40 cm.
• stems. Lateral branches extend from the main stem. The shape is cylindrical. Active branching forms a voluminous bush of a trapezoid shape.
• Leaves . 2-3 cm long, have an obovate shape and a slightly crenate edge. Dense in structure, the leaves do not have stipules, sit on a shortened petiole. The placement is cross-opposite.
• Flowers. Stevia flowers are white, small, collected 5-7 pieces in small baskets.
• Fruits. During the fruiting period, small boxes appear on the bushes, spindle-shaped seeds 1-2 mm long spill out of them.

When growing a plant in room conditions, to form a bush, it is necessary to regularly cut off the tops of the stems.

Procurement of raw materials

Stevia leaves are used as a medicinal raw material and natural sweetener. They are harvested before flowering, when buds appear on the shoots of the plant. It is at this time that the concentration of sweet substances in the leaves becomes maximum.

To harvest the leaves, the stems of the plant are cut off, retreating 10 cm from the ground. After cutting, the lower leaves are torn off, and the stems are laid out on a cotton fabric in a thin layer or hung tied up in small panicles.

Stevia should be dried in the shade, with good ventilation. In hot weather, the stems dry out completely in 10 hours, which ensures the high quality of plant materials. To maintain the maximum concentration of steviol glycosides, it is recommended to harvest the plant using dryers.

Quality dried leaves and their sweetness depends on the drying time. At high humidity and low temperature conditions, this leads to the loss of 1/3 of the total amount of steviols in 3 days.

After complete drying, the leaves are removed from the stems, packed in paper or plastic bags. Low humidity and good ventilation allow raw materials to be stored for 2 years.

At the time of discovery, stevia became not only the leader in the content of sweet substances, but also the plant with the greatest antioxidant effect. Complex chemical composition will help preserve youth, neutralize the influence of negative exogenous factors, as well as restore the functioning of damaged cells. The plant contains a variety of biologically active substances.

The chemical composition of the plant allows it to be used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, as a remedy with versatile pharmacological properties:

• it is a source of vitamins and microelements;
• blood pressure stabilizer;
• immunomodulatory agent;
• plant with antitoxic properties;
• hypoglycemic agent;
• plant with antimicrobial effect.

The high concentration of glycosides allows the plant to be used as a sweetener and industrially processed to produce sweeteners. Small doses of stevia give foods a sweet taste, rich infusions and decoctions have a bitter aftertaste due to the increased concentration of steviol glycosides.

The benefits of stevia for different body systems

The beneficial properties of stevia are actively used by traditional and folk medicine, for the treatment and prevention of many diseases.

Cardiovascular

Stevia is able to regulate blood pressure. Small doses help to reduce it. High doses on the contrary, they stimulate an increase in pressure. The mild, gradual action of the plant is completely safe for hypo- and hypertensive patients. Also, the property of stevia has been proven to normalize heartbeat and force of heart contractions. positive impact on the vessels allows you to eliminate congestion, spasm, normalize the tone of the venous walls. Grass reduces the concentration in the blood bad cholesterol, promotes elimination of the formed plaques on walls of arteries. The plant can be regularly consumed internally for the treatment and prevention of:

• vegetovascular dystonia;
• ischemic heart disease;
• hypertension;
• myocardial infarction;
• atherosclerosis;
• varicose veins.

With fluctuations in blood pressure and its sharp jumps, dose selection should be very careful. The focus is on the well-being of the patient.

Endocrine

The most common use of stevia leaves is to normalize blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus. The effect is due to inhibition of glucose absorption. Against the background of the use of stevia, diabetics note an improvement in well-being, as well as a decrease in the need for insulin from outside. At constant use plants, the dosage of the hormone is gradually reduced.

The herb is able to restore the work of pancreatic cells. In some cases of type 2 diabetes, there is a complete recovery after the use of stevia.

The plant improves the production of thyroid hormones, normalizes the level of sex hormones. Macro- and microelements necessary for hormonal synthesis, normal operation endocrine system are contained in the leaves of the plant.

immune

Vitamins and macronutrients that are part of stevia activate the body's defenses. This is useful when immunity is reduced due to previous diseases, during the cold season. Known ability of stevia to eliminate the reactive response immune system for allergens to enter the body. This effect is necessary for allergic reactions such as urticaria and dermatitis, as well as for the treatment and prevention of the following autoimmune skin diseases:

• psoriasis;
• eczema;
• idiopathic dermatitis;
• seborrhea.

The antitumor effect of stevia is based on the ability of the plant to neutralize and eliminate free radicals. The same mechanism underlies the slowing down of the aging process by grass. The antimicrobial and antifungal properties of stevia help in the treatment of wounds, including weeping, purulent, trophic ulcers, and fungal skin lesions.

digestive

Stevia renders beneficial effect to all digestive organs. The plant normalizes the secretion of digestive juices and acidity in the stomach, improving the absorption of food. Enveloping properties are useful for gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.

The use of stevia is recommended for weight loss. In the fight against obesity, it is appropriate not only the ability of the plant to replace sugar, reducing the calorie content of food consumed, but also to prevent the occurrence of insulin surges - the causes of sudden and severe attacks hunger.

nervous

Stevia restores the functioning of nerve fibers, normalizes the conduction of impulses through them. The plant helps fight migraine attacks. Also known about sedative effect stevia. The use of drugs helps to cope with the following conditions:

• eliminates anxiety attacks;
• fights insomnia;
• promotes concentration;
• neutralizes nervous tension;
• helps fight chronic fatigue;
• treats depression and blues;
• activates the internal potential of the body;
• has adaptogenic properties;
• increases endurance.

Daily moderate use of stevia is recommended for athletes, as well as with an increase in psychological and physical stress, as an anti-stress and light tonic.

Non-medical use of raw materials

Stevia is recommended as a safe sweetener for diabetics. Tablets are used, the active substance of which is stevioside - an extract from a plant. Arnebia's natural stevia sugar substitute is packaged in convenient automatic dispensers, similar to Milford's, but contains a better and safer alternative to its analogue aspartame.

Stevia sweetener is actively used to create a line diet food from the brand "Leovit". This sweetener is used in cereals and desserts. For diabetics, there are even stevia-based chocolates and vanilla extract for homemade confectionery.

Stevia infusions are also used in cosmetic purposes- for elimination age spots, skin lightening and rejuvenation. Known ability of the plant to normalize the condition of the scalp, eliminate dandruff, including seborrheic origin. The use of dietary supplements with stevia has a positive effect on appearance skin.

homemade recipes

Dry extract of stevia is made industrial way, contains sweet substances from the plant, is called "Stevioside". At the same time, the manufacturer does not aim to preserve the entire chemical composition of the herb in the extract. It is for this reason that for a comprehensive recovery of the body, for the purpose of losing weight, preventing and treating diseases, the use of stevia in the form of dried or fresh leaves is recommended.

Dosage forms prepared according to special recipes can be used externally, used in cooking to improve the taste of dishes, tea, coffee. Stevia syrup is prepared separately, which is used instead of sugar. A recipe for herbal tea is popular, which is drunk as an independent drink or added to another drink.

Infusion

1. 20 g of crushed leaves fall asleep in a thermos.
2. Pour in a glass of boiling water.
3. Leave to infuse throughout the day.
4. Filter, pour the cake with half a glass of boiling water.
5. Strain to the first infusion after eight hours.

Syrup

1. Prepare an infusion of the plant according to the previous recipe.
2. Place it in a heavy bottomed saucepan.
3. Evaporate over low heat until thick, characteristic of syrup.
4. Readiness is checked by dropping the product on a saucer - the drop should not spread.

Decoction

1. Two tablespoons of leaves pour a glass of boiling water.
2. Bring to a boil, cook over low heat for 30 minutes.
3. The water is drained, the leaves are poured with half a glass of boiling water.
4. The mixture is insisted for 30 minutes, after which it is filtered to the first broth.

Extract

1. 20 g of leaves are poured with a glass of alcohol or vodka.
2. Heat over low heat or in a water bath for 30 minutes, avoiding boiling.
3. After a short cooling, the mixture is filtered.

herbal tea

1. One tablespoon without a slide of whole or chopped stevia leaves is poured with a glass of boiling water.
2. After 20 minutes of infusion, tea can be consumed.

If stevia is taken for prevention, it is enough to replace it with sugar consumed daily. For the treatment of diseases, obtaining a tonic effect, it is recommended to drink herbal tea from the leaves.

In pharmacies, you can buy a ready-made extract from the plant - a white free-flowing powder in jars or sachets. They cook pastries, compotes, cereals with it. For brewing tea, it is better to purchase stevia leaf powder or filter bags with crushed raw materials.

Of the dietary supplements, the Stevia Plus sugar substitute in tablets is popular. In addition to stevioside, this preparation contains chicory, as well as licorice extract and vitamin C. This composition allows the use of a sweetener as an additional source of inulin, flavonoids, and amino acids.

It is also known about the practice of using fresh stevia. Crushed leaves are applied to wounds, burns, trophic ulcers. This is a way to relieve pain, burning, accelerate healing. For internal use brew two or three leaves of stevia in a glass of boiling water. According to reviews, it is better to use Crimean stevia fresh.

Security Information

The herb honey stevia is considered the safest and most low-allergenic natural sweetener, which allows it to be used even for children. Age limit- three years. Until this age, the chemical composition of stevia leaves can have an unpredictable effect on the child's body.

Stevia preparations are not recommended for pregnant women, although it has been proven that small doses of the plant do not have teratogenic and embryotoxic effects. But due to dosing difficulties and different taste preferences the use of stevia leaves when carrying a child is best minimized. During breastfeeding it is better to refuse stevia because of its unproven safety for babies.

The plant does not have side effects. Among the direct contraindications - only individual intolerance, which occurs extremely rarely.

Comparing medicinal properties and contraindications of stevia, we can conclude that this plant is a way to improve the functioning of the whole organism, provide beauty and youth for long years. Reviews of the stevia herb extract confirm the excellent taste and ability of the plant to completely eliminate sugar from the human diet.

For healthy lifestyle adherents, diabetics, people who count calories, sugar substitute is an important part of the diet. Desserts are prepared with it, added to tea, cocoa or coffee. And if earlier sweeteners were only of synthetic origin, now natural ones are very popular. But you do not need to mindlessly consume this product, you must first study the benefits and harms of stevia.

History and purpose

This herb is native to South and Central America. Indians from ancient times brewed tea with it, which is called mate. Europeans began to use it much later, as they did not attach importance to the customs of the Indian tribes. Only from the beginning of the twentieth century did the inhabitants of Europe appreciate the plant and began to use stevia, the benefits and harms of which are being studied to this day.

For industrial needs, the plant is grown in the Crimea and the Krasnodar Territory. But for your own need, it can be grown in any part Russian Federation. Seeds are publicly available and anyone can buy them. The only thing is that stevia will not grow in houses, since this plant needs a constant supply of fresh air, fertile soil and high humidity. Only if all these conditions are met, the benefits and harms of stevia will be obvious. The plant itself looks like nettle, lemon balm or mint.

This herb has sweetness due to the main glycoside - steviaside. The sweetener is extracted from grass extract and used in industry as a food (E960) or biologically active additive.

stevia calories

When using dried leaves, the calorie content will not exceed 18 calories per 100 grams. In the case of a sweetener with stevioside extract in the form of tablets, syrup or powder, the calorie content is zero.

How many carbs?

The amount of carbohydrates is much lower than the calorie content. There are 0.1 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams. It has long been debated whether stevia substitutes are good or bad for diabetes. And it has been shown to provide benefits and avoid complications because its extract does not raise blood sugar levels. Stevioside does not affect lipid metabolism, does not cause an increase in LDL and triglycerides.

Proteins, fats and carbohydrates were distributed as follows:

• fats - 0 grams;
• carbohydrates - 0.1 grams;
• proteins - 0 grams.

Useful properties of stevia

Like any other product, it brings benefits and harms. Stevia has such medicinal properties:

1. Regulates blood pressure. With the constant use of dietary supplements that contain stevia, top pressure decreases by 10 units, and the lower one - by six. In addition, there is less risk of left ventricular hypertrophy.
2. Reduces blood sugar. When comparing aspartame (a popular sweetener) and stevia extract, diabetics taking stevia have more low level sugar than those who consume aspartame. Therefore, for diabetics, the benefits of stevia are invaluable. There is practically no harm from it.
3. Reduces the amount bad cholesterol.
4. Glucose in the body returns to normal.
5. Has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
6. Suitable for losing weight, as it has no calories.
7. Normalizes blood quality and metabolism.
8. There is an improvement in the quality of the skin.
9. The immune system gets stronger.
10. Does not cause allergies.
11. Revitalizes the pancreas.

It must be remembered that all tests were conducted on animals and the results are typical for them. The benefits and harms for animals are one, but for humans they are completely different.

Research

The catch is that the extracts of this plant were investigated, and not the leaves in in kind. Steviosite and rebaudioside A are used as extracts. These are very sweet components. The benefits and harms of a stevia substitute are many times greater than those of sugar.

But stevioside is a tenth of stevia leaves, if you eat the leaves, then positive effect(similar to extract) cannot be achieved. It must be understood that visible healing effect achieved through the use large doses extract. There will be no result if you use this sweetener only to sweeten food. That is, in this case, the pressure will not decrease, the glucose level will remain in place and blood sugar, too. For treatment, you need to consult a doctor. Self-activity will cause serious harm to health.

It is not known exactly how stevia extract works. But according to research data, it is clear that stevioside blocks calcium channels, acquiring the properties of an antihypertensive drug.

Stevioside also increases insulin sensitivity and its level in the body.

Stevia extract has a very strong biological activity, because of this, this sugar substitute cannot be taken in large doses, only for its intended purpose. Otherwise, the harm will be exceeded, and the benefit will decrease.

Harmful properties of stevia

Stevia does not have any characteristic negative properties, but there are people who are better off limiting its consumption:

1. Pregnant women.
2. Women who are breastfeeding.
3. People suffering from hypotension.
4. With individual intolerance.
5. Stevia, due to its sweetness, can cause "metabolic confusion", which is characterized by an increase in appetite and irrepressible cravings for sweets.

How to apply?

Whatever form stevioside has (in powder, tablets or syrup), its sweet properties are 300 times greater than sugar. According to the table, you can see the proportions of stevia and sugar.

There are several ways to consume:

• decoction from a plant;
• isolated extract in the form of powder, tablets or syrup.

The powder or tablets have a very sweet taste and must be used with great care. Someone believes that one form of stevia release is more harmful than another. This is not so, the benefits and harms of stevia in tablets are exactly the same as stevia in another form. In addition to the extract, they contain flavors and synthetic sweeteners. The concentration of the powder is so high that it is rather pure steviosite.

By boiling stevia leaves to a state of thick jam, syrup is obtained. There are also prepared meals and drinks with stevia. For example, chicory with the addition is added to homemade cakes, tea, coffee, cocoa, juices, cocktails, and desserts. To add to the dough, it is recommended to buy this sweetener in powder form. For liquids, tablets or syrup are suitable.

Taste qualities

Despite the wonderful qualities of this plant, not everyone can use it. The point is a specific taste, more precisely - in bitterness. This bitterness appears or not, which depends on the method of cleaning the raw materials and the raw materials themselves. Before giving up such a product, it is worth trying a sugar substitute from several manufacturers or trying to make a homemade tincture.

homemade tincture recipe

Since the stevia herb does not differ in benefits and harms from ready-made sweeteners, you can try to prepare an infusion at home. Pour chopped stevia leaves (1 tablespoon) with a glass of water. Let it boil and leave on fire for another 5 minutes. Pour the broth into a thermos and leave to infuse overnight. In the morning, pour the strained broth into a clean bottle. Leaves remaining after filtering, again pour half a glass of boiling water and leave in a thermos for 6 hours. After the lapse of time, mix the two strained infusions and put in the refrigerator. Store no more than 7 days. This infusion can be a good alternative to granulated sugar.

What is stevia made of

Experts brought out a safe daily dose stevia is 2 mg per kilogram of body weight. It has a lot useful substances, which distinguishes the plant from sugar. The leaves contain:

• calcium;
• fluorine;
• manganese;
• cobalt;
• phosphorus;
• chromium;
• selenium;
• aluminum;
• beta carotene;
• ascorbic acid;
• vitamin K;
• a nicotinic acid;
• riboflavin;
• camphor oil;
• arachidonic acid.

Stevia in children's diet

In the absence of allergies to plants of the Compositae family (chamomile, dandelion), stevia can be included in children's menu. In addition, it has been proven non-toxic.

Stevioside and disease

The list of contraindications for the use of stevia is very small. It can be used as food for oncological diseases, pyelonephritis, diseases of the biliary tract, chronic pancreatitis.

Diabetes mellitus and steviositis

Most sweeteners are synthetic in nature and are not suitable for all people with diabetes. Therefore, scientists and doctors were looking for the most natural sugar substitute. And stevia is perfect for this role. The harm and benefit in diabetes mellitus and other diseases have been discussed above. The most important property of this plant for diabetics is that it gives sweetness to food and does not increase the level of insulin in the body. But it is also impossible to abuse it, otherwise stevia in diabetes will begin to bring not benefit, but harm.

Important! Read the ingredients carefully before buying. If it lacks fructose and sucrose, then you can buy.

Using Stevia for Diabetes

Mix St. John's wort (leaves) in the amount of three tablespoons and stevia (2 tablespoons), chop, pour a glass of boiling water. Pour into a thermos and leave for an hour. The decoction is taken 60 grams before meals three times a day. The decoction is drunk in courses (month), followed by week break and everything repeats.

weight loss and steviositis

If someone thinks that as soon as he replaces sugar with stevia, he will immediately lose weight, he will be deeply disappointed. Stevia is not a fat-burning agent and cannot activate subcutaneous fat in any way, for this reason there will be no direct weight loss from it. Necessary proper nutrition And physical exercise. At the same time, food is in the first place here, although without motor activity not enough.

The essence of all sweeteners is that, excluding sugar and sweets from the diet, a person begins to lose weight due to a calorie deficit. Due to the fact that insulin is not thrown into the blood in large quantities, the body switches to correct work and begins to give away fat without stress.

Where to find stevia?

natural sweetener are produced all over the world. This is due to the unpretentiousness of this plant. Of course, the preparations of different companies differ, because a lot depends on the place of harvest and processing of the crop, production technology, composition, and form of release.

More than 100 years ago, the botanist Antonio Bertoni, while on an expedition to Paraguay, found a sweet plant called stevia.

Previously, this herb was used by the indigenous people of Brazil and Paraguay. There are over 200 species of this plant, but only three have a natural sweetness.

Grass refers to perennial herbaceous plants. Its homeland is considered South America. Translated from the Mayan language "honey". According to the ancient legend of the Indian tribes, God gave her to people to receive devotion, eternal beauty, divine love, strength.

The benefits of stevia

It is 30 times sweeter than sugar, and the glycosides included in the composition exceed the sweetness by 300 times. And the peculiarity of all this is the absence of calories. It is because of this that the grass is a unique natural calorie-free sweetener. That's all for this large quantity people use stevia as a sweetener. After all, most women and men monitor their health.

Scientists have also shown that even with long-term use this herb is completely harmless.

The composition includes: essential oils, pectins, mineral compounds, amino acids, vitamins. The substances that make up the composition serve as particles for the production of hormones.

Stevia properties:

• Strengthening blood vessels
• Protecting the body from the harmful effects of the environment
• Normalization of blood glucose levels
• Restoration of metabolic processes in the body
• Slowing down the aging process
• Slowing down the growth of neoplasms
• Normalization of blood pressure

Medicinal properties and contraindications

The number of medicinal properties of stevia is very large. Its effect on the human body is very individual.

1. Stevioside particles help to improve the work of the pancreas, which leads to the normalization of its functioning.
2. When using small doses, a decrease in blood pressure is noted, and at large doses, vice versa. That is why the dosage should be strictly individual. There can be many indications for the use of various tinctures, decoctions, extracts, but before you start taking it, you should consult your doctor.
3. The same salient feature noted when taking small and large doses with a downed heart rhythm. At low doses it increases, at high doses it slows down.
4. It can slow down reproduction and growth pathogenic microorganisms. It is thanks to this that our teeth are less susceptible to caries, and the gums to periodontal disease. Indeed, with diabetes, it is he who causes tooth loss. It is very common to meet abroad chewing gums and toothpastes with honey grass.

Information for reading: Elecampane herb medicinal properties and contraindications

The benefit of the plant lies in its bactericidal properties:

• reduce pain from insect bites and burns
• effective for flu and colds
• heal wounds
• make the skin soft
• with eczema, seborrhea, dermatitis
• smooth wrinkles

You can take it both separately and with other drinks (tea, cocoa, coffee, compote, milk) - this will help normalize the functioning of the liver and kidneys, as well as improve digestion.

In cooking, the leaves are used to give dishes original flavors. It is ideal for making drinks. It can also be used to make jams and jams. In terms of taste, there will be no difference from dishes with sugar. She will give a special taste to baking.

Several types of honey grass can be bitter. Although this property can manifest itself in case of an overdose. Better to put less than more.

The plant helps to overcome the need for alcohol and tobacco.

This herb is used in the treatment of certain diseases, for example:

• eczema
• hypertension
• seborrhea
• periodontal disease
• diabetes
• hypotension
• dermatitis

There are no contraindications for use, but it is recommended to carefully monitor the body. There may be individual allergic reactions or intolerance.

Herb and its uses

Often it is used in cosmetology. Thanks to their useful qualities it helps to slow down the aging process, make the skin velvety, supple and elastic, relieve irritation and skin inflammation.

Due to its medicinal properties, it is often used in folk medicine.

Since the grass has a sickly sweet taste and at the same time has no calories at all, the leaves are used for food even when losing weight. These people can also afford this sweetener, because it helps to normalize metabolism, stimulates intestinal motility, and strengthens the body.

How to use stevia

Methods of application can be varied. It all depends on the problem that needs to be solved with its help.

It can be used for diabetes, hypertension, liver disease, atherosclerosis, pancreatic problems.

For this you need:

• Pour 20 g of grass in a thermos with a glass of boiling water and let stand for a day.
• Then strain this infusion into a sterilized dish, and again pour the grass in a thermos, but this time add half a glass of water.
• Insist 8 hours.
• Then strain and mix both infusions.
• Use instead of sugar.

To strengthen the cardiovascular system, normalize cholesterol and blood sugar, increase immunity, you can take an infusion.

• Mix 200 ml of water with 20 g of herbs.
• Boil and cook for 5 minutes.
• Cover with a lid and let stand 10 minutes.
• Drain into a thermos and leave for a day.
• Strain, and pour the grass again with 100 ml of water.
• Let it brew for 8 hours.
• Strain and mix both infusions.

Instructions for making tea:

• Pour a tablespoon with a glass of boiling water.
• Cover with a lid and let stand for half an hour.
• Drink herbal tea 1 cup twice a day hot.
• The beneficial properties of tea will help to cope with hypertension, obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Benefits and harms in diabetes

Regular consumption of stevia by people with diabetes will lower blood glucose levels. This increases the elasticity of blood vessels in risk areas. In diabetes, the herb stevia stimulates the production of insulin by the pancreas.

Every woman, at least once in her life, had candidiasis. This is very unpleasant disease, which can bring a lot harmful effects. In addition, it can manifest itself in the body at the slightest weakening of the immune system. Scientists have proven that the virus of this disease feeds on sugars, and releases acids. That is why doctors recommend taking stevia, as it can kill the fungus. But it is advisable to take it then if you cannot live without sweets.

For coffee lovers, you can use a "healthy" drink. It contains honey grass and chicory. Due to the presence of sweetness and the absence of calories, you can be calm about your weight. And the healing properties of chicory will also have a fruitful effect on the body.

The benefits and harms of stevia herbs should be studied as much as possible before you start taking them. Self-medication can harm the body. You should always listen to your reaction to certain changes.

On this moment You can buy this sweetener anywhere. It can be sold in the form of leaves, powder, liquid. The main task before buying is to find exactly the product, which will include only honey grass.

Good luck to you!

perekis-i-soda.ru

The benefits and harms of stevia, medicinal properties and contraindications of honey grass

Somehow, in a circle of friends, I first heard that there is a herb, tea from which, when brewed, becomes sweet without adding sugar to it. And I'm not exactly surprised, I didn't even believe it right away. “They are playing me in any way,” I thought then and immediately asked Google a question (this is what I always do when I doubt something or don’t know something). To my pleasant surprise, this turned out to be true. Thus I learned what is in the world sweet grass stevia. This article will tell you about the benefits and harms of stevia, as well as its medicinal properties.

I try to lead healthy eating and therefore minimize the amount of sugar consumed by the body. Stevia in this regard has become a kind of lifesaver for me, because I like to drink sweet tea more than not sweet.

Stevia: the benefits and harms of honey grass

Stevia is a sweet herb that grows in a small bush from 60 cm to 1 m high. The sweetness of stevia is in its leaves. The natural habitat of this plant is South America (Paraguay, Brazil).

When the world learned about the benefits of stevia, it began to be grown commercially on other continents. So this grass has grown all over the world.

The benefits of stevia

For one adult, the norm of sugar consumption per day is 50 g. And this is taking into account the entire “sugar world”: sweets, chocolate, cookies and other sweets.

If you believe the statistics, in fact, the inhabitants of Europe daily eat, on average, about 100 g of sugar per day, the Americans - about 160 g. Do you know what this means? The risk of developing diseases in these people is very high.

Poor vessels and pancreas suffer the most. Further, it climbs sideways in the form of strokes, heart attacks, diabetes and hypertension. In addition, there is a risk of being left without teeth, starting to get fat in a big way and aging prematurely.

Why do people love sweets so much? There are two reasons for this:

1. When a person eats sweets, the rapid production of joy hormones called endorphins begins in his body.
2. The more and the longer man tramples on sweets, the more he gets used to it. Sugar is a drug that is built into the body and requires a repeated dose of sugar.

In order to protect themselves from the harm of sugar, people have come up with sweeteners, the healthiest and most useful of which is stevia - a sweet honey herb, the sweetness of which is 15 times greater than that of ordinary sugar.

But at the same time, stevia has almost zero calories. If you don't believe me, here's the proof: 100 g of sugar = 388 kcal; 100 g dry herb stevia = 17.5 kcal (generally zilch, compared to sucrose).

Useful substances in the composition of the herb stevia

1. Vitamins A, C, D, E, K, P.

2. Essential oil.

3. Minerals: chromium, iodine, selenium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, magnesium.

4. Amino acids.

5. Pectins.

6. Rebaudiazid.

7. Stevioside.

Stevioside is a powder that is extracted from stevia. He is 101% natural product and has the following benefits:

• valiantly fights fungi and microbes, whose food is sugar;
• calorie content - almost zero;
• mega-sweet (300 times sweeter than regular sugar);
• not sensitive to high temperatures and therefore suitable for use in cooking;
• absolutely harmless;
• dissolves well in water;
• suitable for diabetics, as it does not have a carbohydrate nature and does not cause insulin release, normalizing the level of glucose in the blood.

Stevioside contains substances that help in expectoration of sputum. They are called saponins (lat. sapo - soap). With their presence in the body, the secretion of the stomach and all glands increases, the condition of the skin improves, swelling disappears sooner. In addition, they help a lot with inflammatory processes and improve metabolism.

Unlike other sweeteners, stevia can be consumed for many years because it does not harm or cause side effects. Proof of this are numerous world studies.

Stevia is used to restore the functioning of the thyroid gland, as well as in the treatment of diseases such as osteochondrosis, nephritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, arthritis, gingivitis, and periodontal disease.

Doctors recommend taking anti-inflammatory drugs with the use of stevia due to the fact that it helps protect against them. harmful effects mucous membrane of the stomach.

Harm and contraindications of stevia

I repeat that stevia, unlike sugar and other sugar substitutes, is not capable of causing any harm. This is what many researchers say.

Only individual intolerance to this herb is possible. Caution should be taken by pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as small children.

We all love to eat sweets. It even sometimes seems to someone that one cannot live without sweets. But common sense should not be neglected. Take care of yourself and your health, friends.

Where can I get real stevia sweetener?

I order stevia sweetener. This natural sweetener is a great substitute for sugar in drinks. And it lasts for a long time. Nature takes care of us

To be honest, there is no limit to my delight from this honey herb. She really is a miracle of nature. As a child, I could swallow all the candies that Santa Claus brought me in one sitting. I love sweets, but now I try to stay away from them, because refined sugar (sucrose) is evil.

It may sound harsh, but for me it is. Therefore, the sweet herb stevia has become for me just a Find with a capital "H".

Denis Statsenko was with you. All HOS! See you

vedizozh.ru

Stevia: benefits and harms, reviews, medicinal properties, doctors' opinion

The flora is rich and varied. The simplest and most accessible plants often hide the greatest amount of useful substances that a person constantly needs. Now society prefers to be treated with chemicals and not waste time studying and collecting medicinal plants. But did you know that many of the acquired expensive drugs created on the basis of natural raw materials?

Most often, traditional medicine uses chamomile, sage, oak bark, lemon balm, mint, calendula. And here's another one useful plant, which is widely used by alternative medicine, not everyone has heard.

We are talking about a natural sweetener - stevia (or honey grass), which is not only rich in stevioside, but also helps to prevent a number of diseases and strengthen the immune system.

Stevia should be familiar to people who control their weight and diabetics, because this low-calorie and naturally sweet herb can improve the taste of tea, coffee, desserts or pastries. And the composition of stevia deservedly allows us to call it one of the most valuable medicinal plants.

This easy-to-grow plant comes from Central and South America, where stevia was used by the indigenous population for food and tea. The benefits and harms of stevia were discovered to Europeans only at the beginning of the last century.

Stevia is a perennial plant of the Compositae family and has more than 500 varieties. In the wild, the plant can reach half a meter in height, and cultivated varieties of stevia grow much higher. Stevia has small leaves, and the grass blooms with small white flowers.

Stevia grows best on fresh air, loves the sun and abundant watering. It will not be difficult to grow it on a personal plot, and stevia seeds can be bought at any specialized store.

For industrial purposes, stevia is grown in the Crimea and the Krasnodar Territory. She is in demand in Food Industry, cosmetology, but most often stevia is used for medical purposes. High content natural steviosides, which are several hundred times sweeter than regular sugar, allow you to go on a diet without giving up sweets. Yes, and improve your health, because stevia has a beneficial effect on the pancreas, improves digestion and appetite, helps with hypertension and diabetes. Stevia wraps and masks based on it narrow pores, cleanse and disinfect the skin, and accelerate wound healing.

IN traditional medicine Stevia is sold in the form of tablets, sugar-like powder, liquid syrup (stevia extract), and dried leaves. But most of all, fresh stevia leaves grown at home are valued. Their natural sweetness allows you to improve the taste of salads, desserts, drinks and even pastries or jams, because steviol glycosides retain all their benefits and are not destroyed even at temperatures up to 180 °.

The composition and benefits of stevia

Stevia belongs to the class of the lowest-calorie foods, because 100 g of this herb contains only 18 calories! According to this indicator, she left behind even fresh cabbage with its 23-28 kcal.

By including stevia in dietary ration you can not only diversify it, but also accelerate the breakdown of fats. So losing weight should definitely take note of this plant.

The benefits of stevia are related to its unique composition. It contains many vitamins (riboflavin, C, B6, K, beta-carotene, nicotinic acid) and minerals (fluorine, selenium, calcium, chromium, manganese, aluminum, phosphorus, cobalt), polysaccharides, glycosides, fiber, tannins, vegetable fats, arachidonic acid, flavonoids, essential oils (camphor oil, limonene), pectin, amino acids and beneficial bitters.

Benefits of Stevia:

Stevia becomes a real salvation for people with diabetes and who cannot imagine life without sweets. Many manufacturers add it to diabetic products- chocolate, cookies, yogurt. The natural sweetness of stevia does not harm diabetics, their body responds well to this sweetener.

Is stevia harmful, contraindications for use

This medicinal plant almost no restrictions on consumption. Concerning fresh plant, then only individual intolerance to stevia can serve as a contraindication. If an allergy occurs, its consumption should be stopped. At the beginning of the reception, other negative reactions in the form of indigestion, bloating, stomach or intestinal disorders, dizziness, muscle pain. That's why you should consult your doctor before including stevia in your diet.

You should not abuse stevia and add it to all dishes without exception, because reactions to an excess of sweet food, even with such a natural sweetener, can also be the most unpredictable.

Do not forget that stevia leads to a decrease in sugar, so during its use it is necessary to constantly check its amount in the blood.

People with hypotension should also consume stevia carefully to avoid lowering their blood pressure even further.

If you buy stevia from a pharmacy in the form of tablets or powder, then make sure that they do not contain methanol and ethanol, which are commonly used to reduce the sweetness of the resulting stevia extract. Their toxic effect can harm the body.