Diabetes is noted as the 4th leading cause of death in the Philippines, with an annual increase of 7.8% among Filipinos based on the 2020 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. If recent trends on diabetes continue, more and more Filipinos will be afflicted with Diabetes in the coming years. With a significant number of consumers now shifting to healthier alternatives to cut on sugar, sweeteners from Stevia plant is becoming a popular sugar substitute in the market today.
Stevia has been touted as a safe and healthy natural alternative sweetener with proven health benefits including diabetes prevention, decreased calorie intake, lower blood sugar levels, among others. Stevia is a natural alternative that can significantly cut sugar in one’s diet.
While it has zero calories, stevia is 200 times sweeter than refined sugar and does not affect blood sugar. It is a popular option for people looking to lose weight and who wants to reduce their sugar intake. Stevia can be used as food enhancers to sweeten beverages, for baking, and for cooking.
Stevia is an herb that has been grown in tropical climates for centuries. It is a natural sweetener taken from the leaves of a bushy shrub. Currently, it is produced by lots of countries, with China as the number one exporter. Today, stevia is grown and used as food ingredient in many countries around the world. The Philippines is also catching up on the use of this natural sweetener in various food preparations.
In the Philippines, Sweet and Fit Stevia is the first stevia herbal dietary supplement produced in the country that was registered by the Food and Drug Administration. Produced by Glorious Industrial and Development Corporation (GIDC), Sweet and Fit Stevia has no cholesterol, no calories, no carbohydrates, and zero glycemic index. Sweet and Fit Stevia is grown and harvested locally in the Philippines.
Stevia was originally utilized for its medicinal purposes such as a treatment for burns and stomach pains, among others. The stevia leaves were also chewed on as a sweet treat.
One of the most important characteristics of stevia is that it is not readily destroyed or deactivated by heat. This makes it suitable for cooking and a viable alternative to sugar in many applications. Stevia is the best organic-based, all-natural sweetener with properties that could be used to substitute to sugar.
Sugar is used frequently in many of the foods we eat, but it has gotten a bad reputation because of its association with causing diseases such as obesity and diabetes. That is why sugar alternatives, both organic and artificial, have gained popularity with the public’s growing interest in health and fitness.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is recommended that sugar added to food and beverages should be limited to no more than 10% of the total calories. For the average adult, this is equivalent to around 200 calories or 12 teaspoons of table sugar.
However, the average daily consumption is around 42 teaspoons. For context, regular soft drinks contain approximately 6 to 8 teaspoons of sugar per glass. Once you get a refill, you are close to already consuming the recommended daily amount. Sweet and Fit Stevia has zero calories which means that it helps prevent weight-gain.
For fitness buffs, Stevia has been used as a sugar substitute in workout drinks. In one of the many versatile applications of stevia, workout drinks help provide a boost of energy to increase athletic performance. Workout drinks also help increase endurance, letting your workout for longer. A healthy lifestyle consists of not just a balanced diet, but also regular exercise. Using stevia in workout drinks helps promote both.
What’s even better is that you can add Stevia to make healthy desserts which are diabetic and keto friendly. This is great for people who have a sweet tooth but can’t indulge because of health restrictions.
For more information on Sweet and Fit Stevia and its health benefits visit, www.sweetandfitstevia.com.
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