In my last blog post 10 pounds in 4 days, a reader wrote in and mentioned she used stevia to make the salt water flush we use on the Master Cleanse easier to go down. I wanted to share more about stevia because it’s a rather interesting natural product that most people don’t know about because of a controversial move by the FDA banning stevia from being labeled and sold as a sweetener.
I would like you to voice your opinion about whether you think this is fair, but first let’s talk about the benefits of stevia.
Stevia is a natural sweetener that comes from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, and is 300 times sweeter then sugar. What’s even more exciting is that stevia has zero calories, and research shows that it’s safe for diabetics (there’s some conflicting opinions on this as I’ll describe below)
Here’s where things get strange. If you’re thinking of picking up some stevia you won’t find it next to the sugar and other artificial sweeteners in your local grocery store because the FDA will not allow stevia to be labeled as a sweetener of any kind.
Stevia has to be labeled as a nutritional supplement which means you’ll have to go to a specialty health food store, or order it online because most grocery stores won’t carry it.
Dangers of Stevia – What Are Stevia’s Side Effects?
The FDA says it’s not safe. Those on the side of stevia say it’s a political move by the sugar and artificial sweetener camps to keep stevia from moving in on their business.
Here’s some information I dug up:
From wikipedia…
“A 1985 study reported that steviol, a breakdown product from stevioside and rebaudioside (two of the sweet steviol glycosides in the stevia leaf) is a mutagen in the presence of a liver extract of pre-treated rats but this finding has been criticized on procedural grounds that the data were mishandled in such a way that even distilled water would appear mutagenic. More recent animal tests have shown mixed results in terms of toxicology and adverse effects of stevia extract, with some tests finding steviol to be a weak mutagen while newer studies find no safety issues.”
Is stevia safe for someone with diabetes? That same wikipedia page had this to say about stevia and diabetes
“Other studies have shown stevia improves insulin sensitivity in rats and may even promote additional insulin production, helping to reverse diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Preliminary human studies show stevia can help reduce hypertension although another study has shown it has no effect on hypertension. Despite these more recent studies establishing the safety of stevia, government agencies have expressed concerns over toxicity, citing a lack of sufficient conclusive research.”
This is what www.stevia.com had to say about using stevia if you’re diabetic…
“Stevia can be a part of a healthy diet for anyone with blood sugar problems since it does not raise blood sugar levels. If in doubt, ask your doctor. However, if they do say no, ask them politely for the current research to support their opinion.”
It sounds to me like stevia is perfectly safe, but like many natural products that can’t be patented and sold as drugs the makers of stevia don’t have the cash to pay off the right people in Washington. But that’s just my opinion.
If you’re not sold on the FDA’s view of stevia and would like a second opinion consider this, Stevia has been approved in Brazil, Japan, and China. It’s also being looked at for use in future Coca-Cola products.
If you’re ready to go ahead and try stevia you might have a hard time tracking it down. You’re mot going to find it in most grocery stores. It’s best to look for stevia in health food stores or order it online.
Stevia recipes and cooking with stevia
Cooking with stevia can be tricky. In it’s pure form it’s much sweeter then sugar, but most of the time you won’t be using pure stevia. This chart found here shows you how much stevia you’ll need to equal the same amount of sugar. It will show you the amounts for granulated stevia, liquid stevia extract, and pure stevia.
The internet is filled with recipes you can try out for your self. Your first few dishes made with stevia might come out tasting funny as you get used to calculating the proper amounts to use. After a while you’ll get the hang of it and have no problems converting old recipes that used sugar over to stevia.
Do You Think The FDA Should Allow Stevia To Be Sold As A Sweetener In The United States Of America?Â
I would like to hear your thoughts. I’m not a bombastic type person who’s locked in to an iron clad belief system, but I think stevia could help society. Let’s face it, American’s aren’t going to give up sweets any time soon, and if stevia can do the same job as sugar without the calories I think our government is obligated to allow Americans the option of choosing stevia by placing it next to sugar on the grocery store shelf.
Please leave your comments below…
I use Stevia every day in coffee now for about 8 years. I’ve also recently found a green tea product by Onli Beverage Company in West Palm Beach that contains Stevia as an ingredient. It is delicious with only 5 calories per serving! I have had no adverse side effects from consuming Stevia.
I just finish 9days of the cleanse and on my second day of drinking juice I had lost a total of 12 lbs. I will do this again. I will continue eating my meats and fish cause I love sushi, but I’m including exercise and watch my portion. I do have to say that during my cleanse my joints were not hurting. I have osteoarthritis all over and I had relief which was nice.
Shelly, this blog post was published in 2007
Stevia is found EVERYwhere!! How old is this information?
I have no problem buying Stevia in the grocery store and its in the sweetener section. Whole Foods and Trader Joe sells it in the sweetener section. Why would you send out an email to read a blog that’s six years old? Hmmmm . . . . .
if poison like aspartarme can be labelled safe there’s no reason why stevia can’t. aspartarme gave me depression
stevie will slowly break down the mucus membrane in your mouth and GI track. As a chemist this should never be consumed you are playing with fire over time spicy foods you use to eat will slowly bother you. it is very dangerous. be carful. I see they are putting it in hormone replacement tablets for women. because these go under the tongue to dissolve the risk of injury to your mucus membrane and gi track is huge. beware
Many people will probably dash an advert once, and while the whole world fails to overcom some sort of route to its front door, some people reply exactly the same process.
Natvia (http://natvia.com/) is another natural sweetener which do not have any side effects, 100% natural, 95% fewer calories than sugar, low glycemic index, low carbohydrates, no saccharin, no sucrose, fructose free, tooth friendly
@Steve
He pointed you to his blog entry he wrote about 4 years ago, which he hasn’t updated. He chose not to make any comment about how it’s different. That’s his choice. I’d want to point out that a year after this post was written stevia got the GRAS (Generally regarded as safe) label the same year that Cargill and Coca-Cola were about to launch a product called Truvia. Coincidence?
Since then PepsiCo and Merisant/Monsanto have also come out with PureVia which is now used in Pepsi’s Sobe line.
Fortunately, yes, you can get the same product from a non-BigAg company, like ZSweet.
your 2007 blog recycled in 2011 is somewhat outdated since refined versions of Stevia are available in America, on grocery store shelves, next to sugar, sweet ‘n low, and splenda. Truvia is just one of several brands out there. I don’t know why you would recycle a posting particularly one that is 5 years old and outdated. You should get out more often….
I AM A DIABETIC AND HAVE BEEN USING STEVIA FOR YEARS. i BUY IT IN HEALTH FOOD STORES AND NOW SPECIFICALLY AT WHOLE FOODS MARKETS. BASED ON ITS USE FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS IN ITS COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, I HAVE CHOSEN TO TRUST THIS PRODUCT. THE FDA LOST THE FIGHT AGAINST THE STEVIA PEOPLE AND IT IS NOW ALLOWED TO BE USED IN PRODUCTS AS A SWEETENER. AS ONE BLOGGER SAID, OTHER COMPANIES WANT TO ACT LIKE THEY INVENTED IT GIVING IT OTHER NAMES…SOBE LIFEWATER PEOPLE ARE CALLING IT PURVIA, AND THEN THERE’S THE MIRACULOUS SWEETNER CALLED TRUVIA…WHICH IS STEVIA.
Lets not forget that Stevia is the most alkaline sweetener of all. This is a good thing.
@tricia also, what do you mean by “borderline” diabetic? Is this confirmed by a A1C test? The only way that you can know whether or not you are diabetic is to get this test done. If you have symptoms, you should go to a doctor. If you don’t have health insurance, you should go to a pharmacy, drop $100 on a BG kit, and pairs test yourself. Knowing is seriously half the battle, and it can’t be done through guess work.
@barbara I’m sure now that stevia is being used by Coca Cola, many of the same people that rallied for it’s legality will say it’s poison.
@Tricia – Stevia has little to no impact an BG levels. It’s also just about non-caloric. It’s great for diabetics. Agave, on the other hand, has some major caveats. It has a much lower glycemic impact than sucrose, so it’s preferably in that sense, for sure. But it is pretty high in calories – a tablespoon of Agave nectar has 4 times the calories as a teaspoon of sugar. It also has a corresponding high carbohydrate level, but again, the glyecmic impact is lower. It’s generally no better for weight loss than any other sugar. As always, you should pairs test (test just before you eat it & two hours after) these foods to judge them, because everyone is different.
Stevia is now allowed to be sold in cola products. Pepsi calls it purvia and coke calls it truvia. Stevia has been available as a “food supplement” for quite some time. It was not allowed to be called a sweetener because it wasn’t approved by the FDA. Interesting that cola companies can now use it and “brand” it as if they invented it. Interesting that stevia has been used by other countries for centuries with no adverse side effects. Folks, this is worth researching. Google it.
I finished the MC lost 9 lbs. I feel amazing and so energized. Thank you!!!
My question is how often can I do the MC, and also can I do the SWF with out being on the MC.
I believe your FDA should be dismantled — they are stoolies for big pharma and other big business; not in favour of the little guy who wants to take control of your own health!!
I am a border-line diabetic. I realize the importance of the minerals etc. in the maple syrup, but am skeptical about the high sugar content. Can I substitute the stevia or Agave for the syrup? I really want to try this cleanse but don’t want to run the risk of my blood sugar going through the roof. Any advise of info will be greatly appreciated.
If the FDA is so woried about our health, they’d ban aspartame. It’s proven to cause migranes, tumors, cancers. etc etc. The FDA shouldn’t be banning this NATURAL sweetener, in fact, it’s more natural than sugar, because it’s way less processed. Aspartame has a poisin in it, along with the antidote so that we don’t die from it…. I now realize how irresponsible the FDA is.
Here in Georgia you can buy Stevia on the sugar isle of your local grocery store. Maybe the FDA changed their minds since 2007 when you posted your blog.
I think it is unconstitutional for the FDA to tell us we cannot use a natural plant which is a healthier substitute to current food products because:
The United States Constitution says;
1: Every officer of the govt. and military must swear an oath to support the constitution,
2: The purpose of the constitution (in the Preamble) is to promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty, and
3: It is harmful to the peoples general welfare to;
a: Control availability of food products for any purpose other that the general health of the people, and
b: To punish (and harm) people for acts which do not cause harm (like selling harmless sweeteners, or for other “Victimless Crimes” where no harm is caused).
Unfortunately, the Constitution does not address the severity of the “Conflicts of Interest” which arise from the “Corporate” business world.
Now money speaks much louder than oaths, so loud in fact that no cop I have ever met can recite their oath.
I use Stevia because it is antifungal and so our government being full of fungus don’t like it ,HA . Our gov is money driven, the love of money is the root of most evils
I 100% think stevia should be sold as a sweetner. My mother, a former fitness instructure, has found it in packets sould at our local HSU health food store and she has been doing the fresh lemon and stevia in the morning for a while now to give her digestion a kick start. I myself just came off an 11 day master cleanse and I feel great and hopeful for the future of healthy eating and lifestyle and stevia will become something I will use in the future for cooking and what not.
i think that stevia should be sold as a sweetner. its sad to see how our government wants us all to be health conscience and yet want to control what you do. i’ve tried stevia and it is a very good product, in my opinion.
Yes they should allow it. This is silly, things should be more about the “general welfare” and less about lining pockets…
Found your commentary very interesting. I have had a problem with my tummy too like your Aunt did. I feel this spot the size of a grapefruit. I’m very active, not especially over weight but could afford to loose a few. I hardly eat meat, poultry often. Doc diagnosed me with fibroid…I tend to feel it is not due to having none of the symptoms of fibroids. Family member thinks it is related to food. I feel it is possible hernia due to lifting alot of stuff over years. I have no pain…just a hard large bump. Do you think fasting would help and could this be a tumor? Let me know your thoughts. Thank you.
i am a senior adn a diabetic. I attempted to do the fast with my daughter and granddaughter, i take glipicide, not insulin and was afraid to stop eating altogether so ate raw foods (as little as possible) Can I do this safely without eating altogether?
Actually, the main killer and obesity cause is due to processing. Has anyone heard of Sucanat. Well there are several sweeteners that are natural and are less damning to our systems. Agave is another. I think what we fail to consider is “too much of anything can be bad.” If we incorporate several “natural” sweeteners in different ways, I think we will have good results. Our food today is so over processed and chemicals added. They add toxic food color to our foods just to make it “pretty” so we will want to buy it and eat it. Sugar is adictive (read “Sugar Blues”) from what I’ve researched it is from the way they process the sugar. My great aunts and I, are pros at the Master Cleanser we mix things up a little sometimes but try to stick mostly to the way it is recommended. We also do fuit and veggie juice fasts. We fast regularly and my great aunt, who is 72yrs old and skips around like a teenage, holds the record amungst us she went 30 days, which is NOT recommended. She did lose some hair but about 14-20 days in she passed a foot long tape worm. My other great aunt passed a 3 lbs tumor in her belly. She had sort of a pot belly and we found out why. They scooped it out of the toilet and confirmed it with the doctor. So fasting also helps get rid of a lot of things and yes it will get rid of the good bacteria but when you are done just take some time getting back to regular food by eating yogurt or take acidophilus. A great deal of these chemicals are accumulative that’s why it is important to fast regularly to cleanse your body and give your organs a rest. The Almish and Mennonite communities can teach us a great deal. I have learned how to get rid of gall/kidney stones (Almish recipe) with a simple 3 day fast and NO PAIN!! Our food has become processed junk along with our so called “Rights” today and it is from the lazy ignorance of our people. I am a very naturalistic person I first woke up in the summer of 1995. I have been studing, growing and eating many herbs since. I study all areas that are natural and if you pay close attention you will find that a lot of this so called “common” knowledge is found in the Bible mostlly the Old Testement. I think along with our ignorance our grandparents and parents failed to teach us the old ways and the reasons for the old ways. My great uncle used to own the largest peanut farm in TX he holds patents on irrigation systems he created he never used chemicals. My great grandmother was a young pregnant wife in the “Great Depression” she taught me about natural things, being a farmer, and about the so called old ways, that is why I am not a sheep today with blinders on. We can not lose our farmers, namely the organic farmers, because who controls the food controls the people. Whomever said it earlier, you are right, our people need to wake up. Why does Lady Liberty stand today, does anyone know what Liberty is today? Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it…..socialism, communism, slavery………just what are we fighting for today, … privilleges….hmmm?
I have been using stevia for over 10 years. It is an excellent source of sweetening and has no side effects. I have discovered that you need to be careful of the brand you buy as some brands have a bitter taste and an after taste. The taste also depends on the form in which it was purchased and how much you use. I use it in all of my beverages and anything else that calls for sugar. It is more difficult to use bake cakes and cookies, then I will use honey or granulated fructose which give the same results as sugar. If the FDA was not run by the pharmaceutical companies and were more concerned about preventions and natural cures and foods, the people of this country would be much healthier. Now the government wants to control all of our health. What a disaster that would be!!
They should ban MEAT, dairy, eggs,etc.. Those are the Number one killers for our health.
Factory farming should be banned! Breeding and killing animals destroys our precious planet!
Animals are our angels, helpers and friends and NOT our food.
Animals are NOT ours to eat, wear or experiment on.
Go VEGAN! Be Green! Help save our precious planet!
I am a diabetic and I would like to know more about Stevia.Why do you recommend only two packets per day,is it unsafe to use more than two packets…some one please
I’m a diabetic and have tried Stevia. It has a very strong bad tasting after-taste. I’ve tried the Master Cleanse it definite works. But, in place of the Grade B maple syrup I use Sugar Free Honey of which can be found at your local Walmart on the aisle next to the regular honey. It works for me!
I have experienced immediate reaction – running to the bathroom within 15 minutes after eating or drinking anything that has been sweetened by any artifical sweetener. About 30 minutes ago, I had a cup of coffee with Stevia Clear..no running! So now, I’m researching – if it really is safe…will it be safe if I grow it in sandy soil (or, will it grow in sandy soil). I’ll keep an eye on future comments.
Thank you all for commenting, together we can make a difference in American’s taking bad pills to fix the bad drugs that have been put into our bodies.
Not to mention, Mr. or Ms. “Not Crazy”, if YOU really knew anything about other countries’ versions of the FDA & other government agencies, you’d realize their positions & laws actually contradict your arguments. Do you know that Proctor & Gamble convinced the U.S. government that they couldn’t make certain personal care & cleaning products w/out certain harmful ingredients, because they said it wouldn’t be cost effective? Meanwhile they removed those same ingredients to sell those same products in Europe because European governments BANNED them. Yet they still make HUGE profits in Europe. We’re just about the only country that allows ourselves to be poisoned for the profit of a few & our government helps them do it, for whatever reason, laziness, blindness, corruption, or a combination of the three. anyone interested in more info should read “The Hundred Year Lie” by Randall Fitzgerald, a well-known & reputable journalist. It’s very well researched, not at all inflammatory & he provides many, many sources for you to continue your research on your own, so you don’t just have to take his word for it.
It’s always interesting to read comments from individuals such as “Not Crazy Unlike You.” Where have you been living all of your life? There is nothing that involves billions of dollars that is left to chance! Although anecdotal evidence has its place, there is actually plenty of research that supports the position of every single person that has posted here. You don’t have to believe in some out of this world unbelievable conspiracy theory, dude, it’s as simple as plain vanilla old fashioned greed. Hmm, wasn’t there a little drug called Vioxx that made some company called Merck in the neighborhood of $2.5 BILLION dollars before they had to yank it off the market for killing people? It’s all about the money, & combined w/our fast fix-want a pill now-treat the symptoms not the cause culture, there’s a lot more money to be made & unfortunately a lot more damage to be done.
Hi Everyone,
Once again we the people are suppost to be stupied. As long as we liisten is going to be as long as the FDA keeps telling us what is good and what is bad. Stevia for my part is a wonderful product. I found out about it only 6 months ago but have been using it ever since. Can we stop these lies will we can try and at least tell everyone we come in contact with. Thank you Raylen for this news. As long as I can get my hands on stevia I will buy it. Do you know if you try and import any thing that the FDA saids is bad they will stop it from coming in. We are really dud in this country and it is so sad we don’t know it. So keep the stories coming and stop telling others and giving what help we can
Wow!!!! I’ve never seen such a group of DIMWHITS, at least since I went onto a “9-11 Truth” or “faked moon landing” website. You people have me chuckling non-stop.
“It is now known that Aspartame causes ___________” Uh, no it doesn’t. It’s the most studied substance ever know to human kind. No study, not one, in any country, EVER in history, has even hinted at a problem of any type, regardless of dose. Oh, maybe the health and science best and brightest in Spain and Ireland and France and Australia and Germany and Brazil and Sweeden and England and……… are all in on the big conspiracy!
“Splenda contains chlorine and it should be banned” So does table salt and just about everything you’ve ever put in your mouth. Again, not one study on earth, ever that has ever found even a hint of a problem with Splenda. It’s 100% perfectly safe, in any dose. But, the sugar industry sure would like it gone.
“Stevia is banned by the FDA, who is doing it to prop up other companies such as Nutrasweet and Splenda.” Ummmm, no. Stevia for some time was not approved as a sugar substitute. The FDA held this position, and SO DID MANY MANY MANY MANY other countries, stevia wasn’t shown to be safe, to their requirements! The FDA didn’t say that stevia “is dangerous”. Rather, it wasn’t shown to be, beyond any reasonable doubt, SAFE; and the burden was on stevia marketers to prove the safety to the FDA’s satisfaction. Therefore, it was not approved. Since then, it has been deemed acceptable.
“The FDA wants to ban the secretly healthy things so that they can keep us at the doctor and in the pharmacy (in kahoots with big pharma)” Healthcare costs are the single biggest drain on our society. Medicare is 100x larger than the biggest Pharma. If you “follow the money” you will see how stupid an argument you have. Then, what about the FDA equivalent from EVERY OTHER COUNTRY ON EARTH??
You all are a bunch of conspiracy theory loving whackos. Trust me. Every word I have written is 100% accurate. You poor confused fools. Hey, did you hear? GM killed the electric car because they are in kahoots with “big oil”. You people are truly amusing. Watch out for that fluorinated water! It’s also a secret conspiracy and poison! Follow the money! hysterical
shawna,
I picked a stevia plant up last week at Wal-Mart.
I have been using Stevia for over a year now and I have never felt better…I have also noticed that my son’s “ADHD” has subsided since switching him…very interesting…
I was reading through the earlier posts and noticed someone say she makes skin preparations from stevia. I would be VERY interested to know more about that and/or be able to communicate with her. I am also interested in knowing where I can find the plant to grow here at home.
Hi everyone. Glad to see so many people looking after themselves.
Have you watched Sweet Misery? Excellent documentary.
It’s on Google Video.
I agree with sparkle lets with hold our taxes and let them tell us we are more powerful and they know it quit allowing your minds to be conditioned.
The politicians are not running things, corporations and the extremely wealthy are. I tried to buy red rice yeast as a control for cholesterol, and It is banned in Canada where I live, because the US FDA said so. RRY contains a similar natural chemical as Lipitor or Zocor and could have bad side effects. Recent studies in Los Angeles by a renowned doctor and scientist concluded no more risk, and most likely less risk, than Pharmacy chemicals. Why can’t my doctor give me a perscription for it like Zocor..? Heres why. A month supply is $5. Same with Stivia, which I have used and think is great.
If the drug manufacturers can’t make a whoppin profit..we don’t get it..
Well I have ordered Stevia online since I have found out about it and I am growing Stevia or (sweet leaf plant) in my kitchen window and now I have found it at wal mart, I don’t gain as much weight with Stevia as I do with regular sugar. I am a big Tea and coffee drinker.
What is strange is why if stevia a natural plant not approved by FDA but sugar beets and cane sugar are. It should be allowed is all I am saying and as long As I can find the packets for when I eat out I will buy them and I will always have the little plant in my window to pick off a leaf when I need a sweetness for my drink.
japanese researchers have done publications on the medicinal properties of Stevia rebaudiana, and there are strong benefits (in high dosages) to Diabetics and people suffering from high blood pressure, to give but an example.
The FDA disgrace is explained here:
http://www.steviazone.org/stevia-still-banned-fda.shtml
And the medical benefits of Stevia are at http://www.steviazone.org
There seems to be potentially serious side effects of Truvia as well. Truvia contains Rebaudioside A exclusively, made from gene-modified Stevia plants..
Interesting article related to Stevia and the FDA. I guess when Coke wanted to manufacture and use the product in their drinks, it became OK with FDA.
#78 – I find it strange you are worried about a natural substance popping up in the general diet. For years I only had to avoid drinks and foods labeled “Diet” in order to avoid artificial sweeteners (sucralose being very prevalent with the least offensive aftertaste). Today, many general cookies, chips, gums, mints etc contain at least 1, and nearly all OTC flavored drugs (antacids, chewables) contain fake sugars. Even children’s vitamins contain at least one. Often I only learn I’ve accidentally consumed them when wrought with a terrible migrane-style headache.
I’ve watched the research on Stevia (thank you Coke and Cargill) and I cannot wait for it to hit the mainstream. I work in the food industry and I found it strange the recent trends in low-carb and natural foods. They just don’t match without natural sweeteners like Stevia. I for one would applaud any natural replacement of fake sugars (yes, splenda is fake).
Also, fun fact: I believe it was aspartame that needed 3 changes in FDA leadership before one would agree to approve it.
78colon cleansing is cherrypicking facts when saying:
“Stevia causes a significant lowering of blood pressure and heart rate in a large enough percent of the general population to cause concern.”
do some homework dude(dudette?)
http://www.eustas.org/engl/safety_engl.htm
“After the administration of high doses of stevioside (250 mg thrice a day) blood pressure of hypertensive patients was lowered starting 3 months ofter the onset of the experiments (Chan et al., 2000). This effect is explained by an inhibition of Ca2+-influx from extra-cellular fluid (Liu et al., 2003). No effects were found on blood biochemical parameters nor on glucose level.
It can be concluded that stevioside is absolutely safe for diabetics, phenylketonuria patients and slimming people. It is not suited for regulating blood glucose levels. High amounts (3×250 mg/day) will decrease blood pressure without negative side-effects. “
the latest in stevia research
—————————-
..the European Stevia Association (EUSTAS)
..a non-profit organisation. The main aims of this project are the promotion and coordination of all activities focussing on research and health in relation to Stevia rebaudiana and related compounds, to show that they are safe for the human consumption and to place a new application for Stevia rebaudiana as a sweetener against the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Commission.
The application for Stevia leaves as Novel Food was handed in to the SCF on July 2007.
http://www.eustas.org
There is another new Stevia product out called Stevia Extract in the Raw. It is a great form of Stevia in that it only has Stevia Extract and Dextrose. There are no sugar alcohols. It is actually less espensive than Truvia and Purevia. Check out their website http://www.steviaextractintheraw.com
If anyone likes Stevia there is another comparable sweetener that is 100% natural as well, it is Agave. And you can find it next to maple syrup. I use it and love it and has the same thing like stevia.
Stevia causes a significant lowering of blood pressure and heart rate in a large enough percent of the general population to cause concern. If it is used in enough products those people will inadvertently get too much in their diets.
What if a chef decides that stevia makes a great substitute for sugar in his latest desert? How many truly read the label of everything they eat?
I have a milk sensitivity and I constantly miss whey on the label of prepackaged foods.
Once in a while there really is a reason and not just some bureaucracy trying to punish you with its ignorance.
As of last week, it seems companies producing zero-calorie products will have zero excuse to continue using synthetic sweeteners aspartame, saccharin and Splenda.
Following political pressure from industry giants Coca-Cola and Pepsi, The FDA gave a long-awaited nod to two stevia-based sweeteners developed by PepsiCo and the Coca-Cola Company. According to an article in the New York Times, the FDA now says they have “no objection to rebiana having GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status” as a general-purpose sweetener for food and beverages. It’s a huge switch in the FDA’s attitude. Previously, despite that Stevia is approved as a food additive in at least a dozen countries, including Japan and China, it could only be marketed in the U.S. as a supplement and was routinely suppressed by the FDA, reputedly because it threatened the profits of aspartame.
The two new stevia-based sweeteners, PureVia and Truvia should show up on the consumer shelves in early 2009. Both use rebiana or Reb A, an extract from a South American
They actually sell a brand called TRUVIA now put out by coca-cola and sold in wal-mart and many grocery stores made from the stevia plant and it is wonderful it cost around 6$ for 40 packets but is worth it. and generally i only use part of a packet in a coffee or tea…
If you look at a recent article in Popular Science, you’ll see a claim that cows fed at a feedlot and furthermore fed some bitter chemical left over from wine production are supposed to be good for the environment, because they are supposed to produce less gas (flatulence) than the “old fashioned” cows that are actually allowed to eat grass. The gas, you see, is supposed to contribute to global warming. This is the same magazine, by the way, that published an article claiming that oxycodone is supposed to be a promising drug for our autistic children. … Oh and by the way, I am so sick of feeling like I’m being misled by the government media complex.
Raylen, you put the puzzle pieces out there, allow me to connect them. Charantea and Celestial Tea Co.’s have both been shut down and had product confiscated for “spiking tea with a drug” by the FDA…..yet you’re right, Coca-Cola has plans to use it in their products…but I guarantee you they will have no problems. In fact, imo, that is why these “competitors” were shut down…heaven forbid we should all live healthy lives. Stevia is the only sweetener I use in place of sugar or dangerous chemical sugar substitutes, and only add Erythritol, another great natural granulated sweetener that’s 70% as sweet as sugar, in my baking/cooking healthful goodies. I spent two years developing Healthy, Diabetic Friendly Chocolates, some with Nut butters and Coconut, etc. in them, and had all my R&D stolen in a burglary. I was doing so many great things with it, I can’t remember them all…but even if I did, I could not market them in the current Nazi FDA environment without going to prison. I can tell you to take organic cacao nibs, grind them in a Vita Mix machine (coffee grinder would work fine too), add Stevia and Erythritol to taste, experiment with healthful coconut and walnuts (high in omega 3s and more), but if I were to have a simple bake sale, and say they are safe for Diabetics, which they are (My nephew got his horrendous 500dl sugar levels down to 200 in two weeks with 4 simple added supplements, without changing any bad habits-Stevia for sweetener, Cinnamon, Chromium as Amino Chelates, and Bitter Melon), I’d be tossed into jail. Obama, our new President-elect has the current stance of undoing the FDA’s powers, but the fact is the Disease Care industry is HUGE, and Big Pharma is already putting hundreds of millions in Democratic coffers, and we all know Washington is for sale, so we must either suffer, move out of this once great country, or play their games until we frustrate them and wind up in an unknown prison for the rest of our short lives. Now, those are the facts…and with Dubya still in power, I could likely be jailed for this posting, as has happened more than anyone would care to know. God Bless America!
Hello, and thank you for the information. I am a die hard user of Stevia for years now. I love it, and the fact that there really is ‘something’ out there made by nature, that doesn’t have any negative side effects. What the FDA has done doesn’t surprise me….. its just one more thing that is being used to manipulate us for THIER benefit. Probably they have gotten a big payoff for this move by the artificial sweetner companies. I hate that it has come to this but to take care of ourselves we have to educate ourselves and seek out what is best for ourselves, because of all the greed and manipulation going on. Everything is so distorted with media, government and such, that we are forced to take control of ourselves or someone else will…..without our best interests at heart. The time is now that we stand up for what is right.
It took a long time to read all the replys..but it was so worth
the time…I learned a lot..especially about the FDA and Stevia!
Stevia is good for you, plain and simple.This guy called Dan Quinn (MMA Fighter) has discovered a miracle, it is called Cold Fission and what he does, blends stevia with water which splits the h2O molecule, and turns the water and lil bit of stevia into a natural gas and in a few mins the renewed water will fall to the bottom and then you remove the soapy foam stuff at the top (chems) and what you are left with is pure, yeah thats right PURE H2O.Look It up.
Oh and you can find dan quinn videos of this miracle on youtube.
I have type 2 diabetes can is it safe for me to do the master cleanse ? And should I continue My diabetes meds, when doing so.
Michelle in Austin you are sooooooooooo right. When aspartame was approved by the FDA there were only two studies they (FDA) used to do it. Coke and Monsanto. The two major distributors of aspartame. It works like a poison in your system and when I started drinking diet Cokes (before that I never drank anything diet) I also started losing my memory. After that a strange sensation on my left leg. Then I did some research to find organization that are trying to get it banned. So if there is something better (sweeter) the powers that be don’t want you to know about it. Some of the same ingredients in aspartame you find in shoe polish, floor wax, paint thinner etc. Also, if you find that you have problems you can’t get rid of stop using aspartame and withing 5 – 7 days you should start to notice a difference if aspartame was the culpret.
In the beginning stevia left a not so good aftertaste but now they make it so that it doesn’t leave one. You use less and it doesn’t harm you like aspartame.
I have been using Stevia for about 2 years and I love it. Most of the Kroger stores sell it, that is where I get mine at and its cheaper than a health food store.
DANG IT!! A few months ago I found stevia at WalMart by the sugar. I went to get some last week and couldn’t find it. I guess this is why. Are they really thinking about putting it in Coke. I might switch from Dr. Pepper for that. 🙂
I sure would like to find out more information about the use of stevia for wrinkles. Also I have my own stevia plant and the leaves are deliciously sweet (who needs candy) but the leaves alone don’t sweeten my tea. What do I have to do to the plant to use it as a sweetener?
I have been using Stevia Sweet Leaf Plus for over a year now. They keep telling us that we need to get more fiber into our diets, so why not with Stevia Plus. I also use the liquid for cold drinks, and the powder for cooking. I carry a baggy with the packets for use in resturants. I think that the FDA needs to take an unbiased look at Stevia. Any side effects that you might get seem to me to be far better than using Splenda or the pink or blue rat poisons they now allow us.
Judy
This sounds like an awesome product and I can’t wait for my son and I to try it out. First I’ll try the Kroger in my area because they have a section filled with organic foods. If it’s not there I’ll be willing to travel, high gas prices and all, to any health food store to find this product. I to would like info on a recipe book that uses Stevia! Thanks for the mind blowing insight on this product and the deceptive reports made by the FDA.
Thank you Raylen, for this great article! I would be horrified if stevia was taken away from us. I’ve been using it for seven years. In all those years I’ve had maybe four bottles of soda pop that contained aspartame. Ugh! Equal, Splenda and all the rest of those chemical sweeteners – OMG! what poisons!! Here in Canada stevia is available in all health food stores and in many pharmacies it is sold in powdered form as a diabetic aid and it’s about $4.00 cheaper than in the health food stores.
I have noted many comments here about the FDA. I can’t believe they can get away with what they do. If they don’t like something that happens to be really healthy, all they have to do is write a denunciation. Gee, they might lose a few dollars from the millions they rake in!
I have been useing stevia for 4 years . I use the pure because it cost less. I like it better than sugar. I am a diabetic and think it takes getting used to like any thing else.I would like to see it in drinks and able to buy in stores. We have been sold the bad stuff long enough.We need to put pressure on the food makers to stop putting harmful ingredients in the food we buy .We needn’t buy it if it has preservatives in it.Thanks for the listening ear.
Robin, from Ocala ,FLA.
Where can I buy it!
Michelle,
The booklet “The Master Cleanse” gives you so much more information than just the ingredients. I believe if you are diabetic you can use molasses. Not sure about hypoglycemia. If you don’t have access to the book in a local health food store you can order one on-line for about $7.00. It us well worth it…
Hi, can anyone here tell me what special provisions need to be made in the Master Cleanse if you’re hypoglycemic? Can the maple syrup be replaced with something else or is it an integral part of the process? I desperately want to detox after Aspertame poisoning and would love to get some feedback. Thank You! Michelle
If the general public were aware of what they’re doing to their health by using Aspertame they would be outraged! Like those of us who now live with the consequences of years of drinking diet sodas & using the packets of sweetener we thought were harmless. I started using Stevia after having realized I was experiencing many problems with my health, the most disturbing being severe memory loss, along with fibromyalgia-like symptoms & blurred vision. It is now known that Aspertame use leads to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, diabetes, yes, diabetes, & many other health problems because it literally eats the brain, as it was originally designed as a chemical warfare! Yes, people, do your homework & take the time to inform & educate yourselves. Our government does not have our best interests at heart…it’s all about big business & big greed…the pharmaceutical companies profit heartily from people who are suffering from toxic poisoning & health problems solely brought on because of Aspertame use. The gov’t knows it’s harmful and yes you’re right, our govt, big pharma & big corporate america are all in bed together! Monsanto and other chemical companies that orginated as weed killing companies, now own the majority of the grain holdings in this country along with food companies like Kraft and are quickly gaining a manopoly on the food supply in this country. That way they can make big bucks by reducing our foods to nothing but chemicals & poinsons. Educate yourself before it’s too late! My memory & ability to learn anything and concentrate has forever been altered and it makes me so angry! On the subject of stevia, it’s an herb, completely natural & safe & yes, the reason the FDA says it isn’t safe is because they don’t want their buddies in the aspertame business to miss out, thereby affecting their own pocketbooks!
I’d like to know more about stevia!
I also have a question about the lemon cleanse…. does the salt flush, flush out all the friendly bacteria as well as the bad ones in your intestine? Does it really flush out parasites? All the studies I’ve done so far say that only some herbal combination can do that?
Also
Thought I would pass this along…I am able to find Stevia at Kroger’s Grocery Stores in the Houston, TX area.
I am in agreement with your comments regarding the lobbists for the sugar/artificial sweetner industry squashing the enterprise of stevia. I would like to see hfcs and regular sugar replaced by stevia and then we can watch the waistlines of our citizens decrease! Hey we should get the insurance companies on the bandwagon – then they wouldn’t have to payout so much for all the obesity related health claims and life insurance claims, right? Got to know who your friends are in this world. anyway good luck with it all. deborah
If stevia is not safe why not just use pure organic MAPLE SYRUP? Or maple sap? Sap is pure from the tree, organic of course and it is not in a pill and is very natural. There, no FDA involved. Simple solution
why does the government alway ban the good things. for example in 1902, the first car ford made ran on hemp oil which produces 3 to 4 crops compared to 1 crop of corn. people were required to grow it to support the war and it does not pollute because as it grows it consumes the fumes produced. however the right people sunk their cash in foriegn oil. so ford had to redesign it.so the right people ould make money so that he could get approved+ backing to produce andmake available to public. now they say it is too hard for officals to distinquish from marjuana, but that is lie. it still grows wild [like dandilions] all across the USA and i am yet to have police or those helicopters come to take someones farm because wild hemp growing in the hay field.
why does the government alway ban the good things. for example in 1902, the first car ford made ran on hemp oil which produces 3 to 4 crops compared to 1 crop of corn. people were required to grow it to support the war and it does not pollute because as it grows jt consumes the fumes produced. however the right people sunk their cash in foriegn oil. so ford had to redesign it.so the right people ould make money so that he could get approved+ backing to produce andmake available to public
The FDA doesnt want you using anything that is good for you …so of course they say it is not good for you. They would rather the public use ARTIFICIAL sweeteners that have horrible affects on the human body. Just like they GRANFATHERED (meaning it was NEVER tested) in Thermarisol which is Mercury into immunizations ..and we wonder why AUTISM is 1 in every 150 kids. My niece is autistic and she was not born with it so she accuired it by a MAN made source . People really need to wake up and realize what they are doing to us, and how we allow them to get away with it! We worry about the wrong things like the stupid war we should of never started or immigrants, when we should be concerned with how they are causing CANCER ,HEART DISEASE, OBESITY in both ADULTS AND CHILDREN, somewhere it needs to stop, and we are the ones to do it, but since we have become such a lazy and ignorant society we would rather say Well I only get one life so im gonna live how i want… that has got to be the most idiotic statement i have ever heard in my life. I tyr an educate as many people as i can , but most of them are to blind to see the BIG picture.
Yes, Stevia is clearly a sweetener–I’ve been using it for 3 years for endless recipes and as a beverage sweetener & love it!
i am deeply wanting to do the master cleanse–i tried it one day and my headaches were unbearable–i wish the download for secrets was more affordable
I am very interested in the Master Cleanse. My doc can take awhile to respond to calls, so I thought I would ask here first (aside from the standard “check with your doc first” reply, which I will do, has anyone done this when they are on sezure meds, due to brain trauma??? Hope so, cuz I really want to do this! sandra
I feel we need to have more choices when it comes to natural versus “manufactured” treatments and do not feel that the FDA has the right to ban a natural product while it approves drugs that have so many side effects that they can be worse than the condition you take them for. I believe we need to look into more wholeistic treatments. I have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and HATE the taste and AFTER TASTE of artificial sweeteners. I think that Stevia is just what I need. Thank you for the information and keep us informed of other natural alternatives to drugs.
Thanks for the article. I am a diabetic (type 2) and have been using Stevia since 1998.
When you use Stevia in drinks or on food you don’t need a lot, not even one whole
packet. It is very sweet.
I think if you use too much of it, may give a bitter taste. It taste fine to me I don’t use that much.
I think the FDA should be banned. Approving such products as Splenda (which has Chlorine), Aspartane, (which gave me headaches)Sucaryl and Saccharin. These products are poisoning our bodies.
There is another natural product that is on the market. It is like Stevia. It is called Xylitol. I don’t know too much about it.
I have told all friends and family about this product and they love it.
I have brought it at Kroger (some not all)stores as well as Whole Foods.
I think if the people stop buying sugar maybe the government will remove all the artificial products off the market. Then try natural products.
I know this won’t happened because this is big business – money.
With informative articles like yours it will educate the public about certain food products.
I have used a liquid Stevia for a few years to sweeten tea and only need 3 drops. I haven’t tried it for baking recipes yet. I think it’s a great product and think more people should know about it. I wish the FDA would be willing to approve of good, healthy things for us and ban things like MSG and aspartame that are both known to chemically affect our brain cells and cause lots of health problems. But they are unwilling to ban both because the food industry uses them both so much. In some countries, like France they have food coloring banned.
Lorna
and seriously for you people who keep saying you need more officialy proof that Stevia works than Wikipedia, why don’t you ask some of the people on this board that have used it. I’ve read several comments saying that hypoglycemia was cured after starting to use Stevia, or other such claims. What is better proof than experience? I certainly wouldn’t go by anything the F*cking Dipsh*t Administration says.
It’s amazing how low the United States government will stoop these days. Power hungry, warmongering thieves. And that’s all I think is necessary for me to say.
I would have to see the research and evidence behind using stevia. Wikipedia and the Stevia website are not sufficient evidence-based resources. I would have to see actual research articles before supporting or denying the use of Stevia.
Well no disrespect to anyone, but I personally will not miss the stuff. My husband and myself like things very sweet. Stevia is the nastiest tasting stuff around. I know a lot of peple love it. If you like bitter sweet it is great.
I found something else much better and more healthier for you and I used it on the master cleanser diet in my teas. It is called Xylitol now there are a lot of makers of this product, but now there is only one that is any good and that comes from globalsweet.com. It is all natural and has a lot of very good benifits. You should check it out.
I believe the FDA is a useless agency who makes money for the food and drug industries. I have no respect for the opinion or findings of the FDA. I usually believe the opposite of what they recomend. The agency should be shut down. It is more dangerous to the American public than it is of any real use to the American public.
The article is informative. But why would anyone want to eat something with Stevia in it because it is 300 to 400 times sweeter than sugar? I don’t like the taste or after-taste, and can’t stand the sweetness. Also, I think it makes one addictive desiring the sweet taste, leaving one dissatisfied.
Joy
I just emailed coca-cola and suggested stevia for their diet coke products, etc. I had thought of stevia for diet sodas years ago. Also , years ago I had wrote to the coca-cola company in Downey, Ca and had suggested they replace saccharin (cancerous) with Aspartame and they wrote me back and thanked me for my suggestion and then in no time we had coke with aspartame. Now we know that Aspartame has it’s own unhealthful issues and I do not use it anymore because get headachess from it. Now I am all for Stevia and hope the coca-cola company will take heed of my latest suggestion.
Permit the use of stevia as an alternative
to sugar with the assumption that a consumer
will hopefully research data regarding stevia
prior to use–thanks.
I am diabetic (type 2) and am interested in the master cleanse for detox and weight loss. The recipe calls for grade b maple syrup. Should I, a diabetic be concerned about using this syrup? Could I use stevia in the recipe instead of the maple syrup or is the grade b maple syrup a necessary part of the recipe? Please let me know.
Thanks!
Jim Coleman
[email protected]
Do you have an affiliate program for your ebooks?
Here is a website where you can buy Stevia with no bitter aftertaste;
http://www.nunaturals.com/index.html
I’m going to try it.
Yes, Stevia should be allowed to be sold as a sweetener in the U. S.
Look at all the evidence that shows what damage artificial sweeteners do to the human body, plus they really do cause people to gain weight, not lose weight.
I started using Stevia years ago when it first was introduced. I stopped using it because I didn’t like the taste it left in my mouth after using it in coffee or tea.
But, it doesn’t leave an off taste in cooking with it.
I switched to Splenda, then starting reading all of the bad things it does to your health, so I quit using it.
I finally switched over to raw sugar, from the health food store. We don’t have any white sugar in our home, as that has chlorine, plus other detrimental ingredients in it.
The white sugar industry controls so many food markets, it’s unbelievable!
If something could be done to change the bad aftertaste of Stevia, we would go back to using it again.
My boyfriend told me that they have been selling stevia products in Brazil and Japan for about 20 years now with great and popular success. It sounds more like the artificial sweeteners current industry here in the U.S. is afraid of competition. I doubt they’d have to worry if stevia were allowed to be sold and marketed as an alternative sweetener in the US. There are so many different consumers buying products, and many are very brand and product loyal. While I am sure stevia would sell well legally here (we’ve tried it many times and were quite pleased with it with no bad effects), this is a huge country with a big population of buyers, I think the other artificial sweetener makers would still be making enough money along with stevia.
My wife and I have have tried many different sweetners since she is type 2 diabetic. While I was not aware of the FDA non-approval, I must say that Stevia tastes terrible. It’s more bitter than saccharin (which we don’t use) to us. Our local health food store gave sample packets out one day and we had some in our coffee. Not good.
I’ll tell you what I think. I think it’s a load of crap. My boyfriend suffers from hypoclycemia. Nothing worked until he started taking Stevia. Within 2 weeks, it disappeared, just like that. I think there are some organizationn, (wonder who) that want to keep us all ill, or going to the pharmacy 24/7. What a load.
Just my opinion.
PO’d in Missouri
yes definately!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a question. Raylen, is it safe to use stevia during the MC? I love drinking tea but I usually like it sweeter. Can i add stevia to the herbal tea???
PS
Olivia from
The Language Connection
mentioned creating skin preparations from stevia
I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to know more – please?
I am an Australian who has been using stevia instead of sugar for three years, with no adverse effects. I have regular checks with my gp, kinesiologist and naturopath, and all are happy. I’ve never been even close to a diabetic in my blood tests, even though, for me, chocolate is a food group. Maybe the stevia helps me keep the choccy balanced.
Here in Oz, we too have to purchase stevia from the health food store. It may seem dear initially, but the amount needed is so miniscule that it winds up way more cost effective than sugar.
I don’t and won’t use those chemicals that big companies want to poison us with.
Keep up the good work, and the great information flow – thanks!
KEEPING AMERICAN FAT AND UNHEALTHY IS THE BIGGEST MONEY MAKING SCAM IN THE WORLD. THE PHARMACEUTICCAL COMPANYS AND FDA ARE GETTING RICH OFF OUR MISERY. ANYONE EVER WONDER WHY DOCTORS GIVE U MORE AND MORE PRESCRIPTIONS INSTEAD OF SENDING YOU TO THERAPHY FOR BACK PAIN OR WEIGHT LOSS CENTER FOR WEIGHT CONTROL? LET’S STOP MAKING THE RICH RICHER AND START LOOKING INTO NATURAL, HERB HEALING WAYS TO IMPROVE OUR HELP. THANKS FOR KEEPING US UPDATED ON THE UNDERHANDED DEALINGS IN OUR COUNTRY.
the FDA should be called th “f*cking Dumb Administration!”
I think you are exactly right about Stevia and the Sugar/Artificial Sugar forces.
That’s why homeopathy fell out of favor in the early 20th century. There was more money to be made in artificial drugs than in the natural remedies. Stevia is a wonderful substitute for sugar. Thanks for your article!
It is the FDA that should be banned!!
stevia should be allowed but why do we have to have permission of the government we all know what there about it all about profits if it was something to do with death then it would be allowed.
Dear Sirs;
I have been using stevia for at least 7-8 years without any problems and in fact I use it not only internally but externally as well. The Indians in South America use it topically as well for skin irritations and the reduction of wrinkles. I am 47 and my skin has never looked better thanks to stevia. I make solutions for the skin with stevia for my friends and they swear by it as well. Stevia is great in our opinion and experience. If the FDA thinks stevia is dangerous than what should we think of other sweetners they have pounded down our throats ? I am all for (honest) scientific research and keeping an open mind but I just wonder what is the FDA up to when you look back on the mistakes they have made.
The US is not the only country doing research people and so many times our research is not of a high standard. This is very hard for many Americans to stomach but we do need to become a world citizen if only to protect ourselves.
Olivia
The Language Connection
I think the FDA should be dismantled. It is run by corruption and serves no purpose but the profit of food and drug companies.
Word up!
I read the following paragraphs on Stevia.com about the FDA position on stevia as a “sweetener”. Is this still true, and does it mean it can’t be advertised as a “sweetener” or does it only mean that stevia should not be labeled a “sweetener”?
“In September of 1995, the FDA revised its import alert to allow Stevia and its extracts to be imported as a food supplement but not as a sweetener. Yet, it defines Stevia as an unapproved food additive, not affirmed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) in the United States. The following is a portion of this revised alert:”
“If Stevia is to be used in a dietary supplement for a technical effect, such as use as a sweetener or flavoring agent, and is labeled as such, it is considered an unsafe food additive. However, in the absence of labeling specifying that stevia is being or will be used for technical effect, use of stevia as a dietary ingredient in a dietary supplement is not subject to the food additive provisions of FD & C ACT.”
Hi I was wondering if it is possible to grow stevia,thanks Bob
I asked my daughter who is a massage therapist if she could get me information on a cleanse diet since I have a bit of muscle pain all the time. She brought home a little post it note with the lemon juide recipe (Lemon juice, Grade B maple syrup and cayenne pepper) for the cleanse diet. I looked it up on line and confirmed that it was the right recipe. I bought lemnos on a chim, found the maple syrup and started the next day. I did it for 14 days and had NO problem staying on it. I didn’t do any mental prep or anything. I though it was the easiest thing I had ever done to lose weight. I have been repeating it on cycles for weight lose. I think it is awesome for weight lose. I don’t know why you don’t.
I would feel more comfortable about the Stevia claims if they came from the American Diabetes Association or other sources rather than Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a site where anyone can add content. The claims may or may not be true.
I have done master cleanse 3 times and happy with the results every time,my sugars have leveled and my bones stop hurting awsome feeling when you are completing the 10th day but I may try to go further next cleanse..
Question have you had any reports with someone doing the cleanse and helping there body with the candida Please answer ????
I have found stevia packets WITH added inulin fiber under the name SWEET LEAF PLUS. The added fiber is a nice bonus for those of us that need it…I am beginning to see it at our local food markets, nice convenience! I’ve been trying to convert my mother in law and their household because they experience many stomach ailments since they have switched to Splenda…we don’t use any artificial sweetners here. We dropped Nutrasweet after finding it kills the ants in our yard and on the counter. Kinda scary the things that are approved for us to eat.
I’m a Strength & Conditioning Coach and supply many of my Athletes and Clients with a Protein Supplement that is sweetened with Stevia. I can’t nderstand the FDA nor do I want to. Some of my Professional Athletes with Diabetes found Stevia sweetened supplements & products a Godsend. Thanks for keeping me informed.
Great Article, I am going to check into this Stevia. It sounds like it it worth the effort.
Yvonne
We have stevia growing in our herb garden. It is very difficult to keep it as the grandchildren eat the raw leaves! If you can’t make a million dollars from it by patenting it then, the FDA will (try to) shut it down. GROW YOUR OWN!!!
It often pays to look closely at who is funding these studies. Its unusual to find studies on natural products unless someone has a hidden agenda. It is always easy to manipulate the results to show the bad effects rather than the good effects. Why aren’t some chemo drugs banned when the statistics for the results with some cancers are so dismal!
Sandy
Wow. This was very insightful. I’m a fan of stevia. It sure beats all the other sweetners on the market.
Raylen, 3 words to you.”Good looking out”. I
am a diabetic and i can always use good news
Thanks,Kathy
I live in Georgia and I was surprised when I saw it, but I can buy Stevia packets in Wal-Mart and Publix (Southeast grocery store) right next to the sugar and other sweetners. It does seem that the other kinds are harder to find though.
When we lived on the farm and ate everything there was on the farm, we were not overweight, we were healthy and so were our kids and there was no ADHD which, in my opinion, is nothing but a body loaded with chemicals from food, hormones from meat. When I lived on a feedlot where they injected the cattle 5 things as soon as they came off the truck to go into the feedlot, I gained 60 lbs in a year. No one can tell me that the hormone residue doesn’t stay in meat. My thyroid got damaged and I have had a weight problem ever since. I don’t think the FDA has a right to tell me I can’t drink farm milk, unpasteurized, bought fresh from the farmer or whatever I choose to put in my body. It is my choice, not theirs and after hearing they are supposed to be spraying almonds in the States in September, I think we should have the FDA banned and a new group started in the interests of the people who choose to live healthy. Communisim is in our own governments. Where is the free, land of the brave? Our people go over their to fight for freedom and yet are poisoned every day in what they are given to eat. God help us all. I used Sucaryl when it was on the market and had some of the best health in my life. It never bothered me. I think it is time people started to rally for health. Nothing is safe to eat anymore according to everything we read. Let’s all grow our own and all get our own cows, chickens, and gardens tell the government not to trespass on our freedom. If we all withheld our taxes until they got the FDA out of power and replaced, I wonder how much power they would have??
Sparkle
Dear sirs. I am 80 years old and have been around long enough to know a good product when i use it..Stevia is one of the best. I wish it were easier to find in mainland grocery stores however I shall continue to get it from Health food stores and especially “Trader JoES” STORE.. i WOULD SURE LIKE TO GET A COOKBOOK –cAN YOU TELL ME WHERE (ON STEVIA, OF COURSE”.) Thank you in advance..Mrs (widow) Terry Telles–an 80 year old Senior Stevia Fan..
Very good article. I’ve been using Stevia for over a year now and it’s not only good for you, it’s delicious. I get the liquid drops which make it easy to carry with me for eating out.
Right on, Madelina. My feelings exactly!
Libby
Raylen, thank you so much for sharing this. I get so frustrated when I see how the FDA is allowing our foods to be pumped full of hormones, approving drugs that kill people, and then using strong are tactics to force the little guy with a superior product that can help humanity from competing with the big players.
There’s all this talk about “free market capitalism”, but the reality is if you don’t have multi-millions to grease the greedy palms of the right people you can’t even enter the market. That doesn’t sound like a “free market” to me.
I hope I’m not sounding like some nutty conspiracy theorist, but I just don’t feel the system is working like it should.
~ Madelina