Traditional uses of Stevia
Coca Cola's Stevia Product
Other traditional of uses of Stevia (especially in Japan and South America) include the following:
Stevia counteracts fatigue, slow digestion as well as gastrointestinal functions, regulates glucose levels in blood, nurtures the liver, the pancreas and the spleen.
Regarding external application, stevia is commonly used in Europe to treat acne and blemishes. It can also help coping with cravings while also causing you to have a general feeling of well-being.
Chemical properties
A dry leaf contains a 6 to 10% concentration of steviosides and rebaudiósides, although values as high as 14% have also been recorded.
Several laboratory tests have proven the following nutritional facts:
High values of iron, manganese and cobalt
Total absence of caffeine
Molecular weight = 804
Formula: C 38 H 60 O 18
In its purest states, its crystals melt at a 238° C
Its flavour remains stable at both high and low temperatures
It does not ferment
It is soluble in water, ethyl and methyl alcohol
Calories: 0
Saturated fat: 0
Sugar : 0
Cholesterol: 0
Carbohydrates: 0
Its sweetening properties are ideal to satisfy the needs of those customers who ought to keep their sugar intake under control due to severe health conditions related to metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
It is also highly recommended for those people who should also reduce their sugar intake either because they are intolerant or suffer from obesity related disorders.
Stevia can be used either in infusions or drinks like any kind of tea or coffee as well as to cook or sweeten any other kinds of food or drinks such as sweets, sodas, confections, cakes, sauces, pickles, medicinal and oral hygiene products and even chewing gum.
