Stevia is a complete plant with an extensive list of health benefits of stevia derived from its qualities. Thus, it shows a bactericidal, antioxidant, hypertensive, laxative, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, lipid-lowering and hypoglycemic action. In addition, as a natural sweetener, it will be ideal to add to your infusions, juices, smoothies, cakes, etc. These are its main virtues:
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- It is one of the best herbalist resources to help diabetics. It has a mild but effective hypoglycemic effect. It can be integrated into the diet of a person with type II diabetes as an alternative to sugar, since it increases glucose tolerance and does not increase blood levels.
- It has an antioxidant power comparable to the polyphones contained in cocoa, green tea and other foods. It helps strengthen the immune system and protect us from infection.
- It acts as a mild diuretic, which favors natural purification through urine, combats fluid retention and contributes to lower uric acid levels.
- It has a very effective antibacterial effect to fight infections by certain bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
- It is recommended as a support for hypertensive people, since it helps keep tension under control and is compatible with medication.
- Stevia favors intestinal transit, has an osmotic laxative effect and prevents constipation. Relieves abdominal pain and bloating.
- As a substitute for sugar, it is a good idea to include it in weight loss diets.
- It is an excellent support to control LDL cholesterol levels naturally.
- It is attributed a certain anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect, in seasonal allergies or those caused by dust and mites, but in this case you must associate it with other herbs that enhance their action.
The demand for the legalization of stevia lasted for about six or seven years, and deserved the attention of the general media. Some of its growers, such as Balaguer’s countryman Josep Pàmies, made stevia an emblem of the fight for food sovereignty. Today stevia can be purchased in any herbalist and diet center, but also in supermarkets, because the major brands have already rushed to integrate it into their line of sweetening products. What was previously taboo has quickly become a coveted object.
The sweet benefits of Stevia and its properties
Stevia is a small shrub native to Paraguay in South America whose name in Guaraní (the language of the indigenous natives) is Ka´a He´è, which means “sweet grass”; the towns of the area have known for many hundreds of years its healing and sweetening properties.
Slimming diets based on Stevia
Recent medical research suggests that Stevia’s low carbohydrate and calorie content may be beneficial if you want to lose weight or keep it under control.
According to these studies, Stevia would be able to interfere with the functions of the hypothalamus (which controls fatigue, thirst and appetite) and thus help lose weight by reducing the “feeling of hunger”. It is also an effective tonic that increases energy levels.
Skincare
Stevia is a remarkable healing agent for skin disorders. Being an antioxidant, antibacterial and antiseptic it can help fight wrinkles, skin blemishes, dermatitis, eczema, acne, scars, rashes, itching and chapped lips.
Stevia paste made from crushed leaves, applied in small amounts directly to the affected skin, will promote the healing process. It is even capable of inhibiting “candidiasis”, as this is an infection caused by yeasts, whose natural food is sugars.