Stevia and the Sugar Debate
There is a debate running about sugar and alternative sweeteners. The general agreement is that refined white sugar is unhealthy for our bodies. It contains empty calories and active agents that rot our teeth and help increase the rate of diabetes in our population. Yet we continue to purchase and consume sugar in mass quantities. The artificial sweeteners aren’t healthy for you either, causing side effects like cancer.
Along comes stevia, a plant from South America that took thirty some odd years to appear in American grocery stores. So what is the big buzz about stevia? It is a plant. You can use it much like curry leaves, right from the plant itself. It takes less amount of stevia than regular sugar to sweeten products. You can purchase stevia from your local market, it comes in the form of white powder, packaged in a box.