Stevia, scientifically known as Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, is a bushy plant of the sunflower family. tevia has 150 species, all of which are endemic to North and South America. China is currently the leading stevia exporter. However, stevia is currently grown in a variety of nations.

Due to the fact that stevia is 200 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar, to give the same level of sweetness as other commercial sweeteners, it typically requires around 20% of the land and significantly less water. There are eight glycosides in stevia. These are the sweet components extracted and refined from stevia leaves. 

Diabetes:

Stevia sweeteners do not add calories or carbohydrates to the diet, according to research. They also had no effect on blood glucose levels or insulin responsiveness. This allows diabetics to eat a larger variety of foods while adhering to a healthy diet plan. Another study evaluated the effects of stevia on metabolic outcomes to the effects of placebos in five randomized controlled trials. According to the findings, stevia has little to no influence on blood glucose, insulin levels, blood pressure, or body weight. 

Subjects with type 2 diabetes reported significant reductions in blood glucose and glucagon response following a meal in one of these investigations. Glucagon is a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels, and the mechanism that secretes glucagon is frequently defective in diabetics. When blood glucose levels rise, glucagon levels fall. This controls the glucose level. 

Weight control:

Overweight and obesity are caused by a variety of factors, including physical inactivity and an increase in the consumption of energy-dense meals high in fat and added sugars. Sugar consumption has been shown to contribute an average of 16% of total calories in the American diet. This has been linked to weight gain and poor regulation of blood glucose levels. Stevia contains no sugar and almost no calories. It can be included in a well-balanced diet to assist lower energy intake while maintaining taste. 

Pancreatic cancer:

Stevia contains a variety of sterols and antioxidant substances, including kaempferol. According to research, kaempferol can reduce the incidence of pancreatic cancer by 23%. 

Blood pressure:

It has been discovered that some glycosides in stevia extract widen blood arteries. They may also cause an increase in salt excretion and urine production. Stevia may help decrease blood pressure, according to a 2003 study. According to the findings, the stevia plant may have cardiotonic properties. Cardiotonic effects help to maintain normal blood pressure and heart rate. However, newer research indicates that stevia has no effect on blood pressure. More research is needed to establish this stevia benefit. 

Children’s diets:

Foods and beverages containing stevia can help to reduce calories from undesired sweets in children's diets. Thousands of items containing naturally-sourced stevia are now available on the market, ranging from salad dressings to snack bars. This accessibility allows youngsters to consume sweet foods and beverages without consuming extra calories while moving to a lower sugar diet. Excess sugars and calories have been related to obesity and cardiovascular disease.