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What is Stevia Extract?

Stevia extract is commonly used as a healthy sugar substitute. Refined sugar is virtually devoid of nutritional benefits and, at best, represents empty calories in the diet. Stevia is much sweeter and has none of sugar's unhealthy drawbacks.

Also known as sweetleaf and sugarleaf, this extract is derived from Stevia rebaudiana, a herb in the chrysanthemum family that grows naturally as a small shrub in parts of South America. At full maturity the plant reaches a height of close to three feet.

At least 150 species of stevia are believed to exist in North and South America. The Guarani Indians of South America call this herb "Ka-Hee," and these South American natives have enjoyed the benefits of stevia for centuries.

In a study done in 1982, more than 110 species of stevia were tested for their sweetness. Stevia rebaudiana was found to be the sweetest, although 18 other species were found to also exhibit a sweet taste.

Researchers in the study also made an interesting observation - they found fragments of a 62-year-old leaf that exhibited potent sweetness. This indicates that the chemicals within this herb are very stable and have the ability to withstand time and drying.

The green leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant contain the glycosides stevioside and rebaudioside. Stevioside, as a sweetener, is estimated to be between 250 and 300 times as sweet as table sugar (sucrose), making it unique among the hundreds of species of stevia plants.

Stevia been used in food applications as a prepackaged replacement for sugar and artificial sweeteners. It has been used in various food products, including the Japanese sugar-free versions of chewing gum, Beatrice Foods® yogurts and even Diet Coke®. It has also been used in Japanese-style pickles, dried seafoods, fish meat products, vegetables and seafoods boiled down with soy sauce, as well as confections and a host of other products.

Stevia is able to perform a number of other beneficial tasks. For example, it has been shown that stevia may enhance mood and increase energy levels and mental alertness. The cosmetic industry also employs the use of stevia in many of its available skin care products.

Health Benefits of Stevia

Stevia is a natural herbal sweetening agent without the calories of typical table sugar. Because the human body does not metabolize the sweet glycosides (they pass right through the normal elimination channels), the body obtains no calories from the extract.

Since it is not processed in the same way as sugar, stevia may be used freely as a sugar alternative by both diabetics and hypoglycemics. For people with blood sugar, blood pressure or weight problems, stevia is among the most desirable sweeteners.

Stevia inhibits the growth and reproduction of some bacteria and other infectious organisms, including bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease. Many people report significant improvement in oral health after adding stevia concentrate to their toothpaste and using it, diluted in water, as a daily mouthwash.

Stevia extract is a great alternative to synthetic sweeteners, and it can also be easily blended with other sweeteners, such as honey. It is heat stable and can be used for cooking and baking.

Purity and Concentration of Stevia

Purebulk's Stevia Extract 90% is a pure extract derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant. It contains NO fillers, taste additives or anti-caking agents. It is assayed by the manufacturer to contain at least 90% steviosides and 20% rebaudiosides (active components).

Suggested Use of Stevia

Stevia is EXTREMELY sweet so a VERY small amount is all you need to sweeten a chosen beverage. You'll need to experiment to discover your personal taste equivalency, but somewhere around 1/32nd teaspoon (39 milligrams) will be approximately equivalent to 1 ounce of sugar in your favorite recipes. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for Stevia here.

Here's a little comparison: A teaspoon of sugar is about 4.2 grams or 4200 milligrams, and Stevia is 250 to 300 times sweeter! So, taking 250 times less than 4200 milligrams is only about 17 milligrams. In other words, 17 milligrams of Stevia will give you about the same sweetness as 4.2 grams of sugar. A 1/64 tsp of stevia will give you slightly more than the equivalent sweetness of a teaspoon of sugar.

Potential Side Effects of Stevia

Stevia is an all-natural herbal product and is completely non-toxic. However, it is not intended for use by those with a serious medical condition or pregnant or nursing women. Consult your physician before use.

How should I store it?

You will receive this powder in a resealable bag. Store in a cool, dry, dark location. Reseal tightly between uses.

References & Further Research

Antihyperglycemic effects of stevioside in type 2 diabetic subjects


Wikipedia: Steviol glycoside

NOTE: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The information at Purebulk.com is NOT a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use any dietary supplement as a replacement for conventional care, or as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates herbal and other dietary supplements differently than conventional medicines. The standards for supplements are found in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), a federal law that defines dietary supplements and sets product-label­ing standards and health claim limits. To learn more about DSHEA, visit the FDA Web site.