हिंदी ब्लॉग 
Stevia Health Benefits: Stevia, also known as ' Stevia rebaudiana,' is a small perennial shrub that has been used for centuries as a sweetener. It is an ideal sweetener for diabetic patients because of its antioxidant properties; it increases insulin production in the body; it is also useful for weight management because it has low calories.
Stevia has hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties; this is why it is advantageous for the liver. Stevia is beneficial for the skin as it has anti-wrinkle properties, which work in tightening the skin and providing glitter in it. Stevia's anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties help to manage eczema and promote wound healing.
Historical uses of Stevia
The plant Stevia has been used for over 1500 years by the ' Guarani' people of South America; they called it "sweet herb."
It is enormously sweet by the taste that has been used to sweeten the beverages and make tea since the 16th century.
The non-nutritive sweetener is the one that contains little to no calories.
Benefits of using Stevia in AYURVEDIC treatment.
Research on Stevia till now has shown numerous effects of Stevia in several effective ways. Stevia has been studied for many effects, positive or negative. A recent study published in a "Chilean health journal " suggests that stevia could positively affect the brain while also alleviating sugar cravings.
Other studies suggest stevia could help stop diarrhea and dangerous rotavirus. Stevia has hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties; this is why it is advantageous for the liver. Stevia is beneficial for the skin as it has anti-wrinkle properties, which work in tightening the skin and providing a glow in it. Because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it is a good wound healer. Also, Stevia can cause allergic reactions or itchy rashes in some hypersensitive people, and in these cases, it's advisable to consult a physician before using stevia.
Stevia Benefits: Benefits of Stevia in treating disease/health problems.
1- Advantage of Stevia for diabetes mellitus.
Stevia is enormously sweet by taste, but it has very little or no calories in it. Due to its diabetic properties, Stevia might help to manage diabetes.
Chlorogenic acid present in Stevia alleviates the conversion of glycogen to glucose. It also alleviates glucose absorption, which enhances insulin secretion. Together with this, it is alleviating the level of blood sugar level.
Tips:
* Substitute normal sugar with Stevia in your regular beverages or even desserts.
2: Advantage of Stevia in Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Stevia might help to manage high blood pressure. It helps in relaxing the shriveled blood vessels and increases the blood and oxygen supply to the heart; hence, it lowers high blood pressure.
3: Advantage of Stevia for Weight loss?
scientific
There are many causes for overweight and obesity, such as physical inactivity and increased intake of energy-dense foods high in fat and added sugars.
Stevia can help in weight loss as it is low in calories. So, replacing your regular sweeteners with Stevia would reduce the intake of calories, thus contributing to weight loss and management.
4: Advantage of Stevia for heart disease
According to the modern scientific view, thanks to glycosides, stevia helps in the management of heart diseases. Glycosides alleviate the concentration of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and LDL (LDL or bad cholesterol). Low levels of LDL help alleviate the danger of heart diseases.
Types of Stevia in Ayurveda with the recommended dosage
In the Ayurvedic treatment, Stevia can create different types of herbal medicines; it is largely used in the form of tablets or drops.
If you are concerned about the dosage amount for each Stevia form, you can follow these dosage recommendations.
1. Stevia Drops
-Add 3-5 drops of Stevia drops in your dessert or beverages.
-3-5 drops, 1-2 times in a day
2. Stevia Tablets
-Add 1-2 tablets of Stevia or as per your requirement of Stevia in dessert or beverages.
-2-4 tablets, twice a day or as directed by the physician.
If you have conferred with your doctor, then it is suggested to stick to it with the recommended dosage prescription.
Ayurvedic care with the use of Stevia
Stevia is also available in herbal tea, or there's a proper procedure to make it in the form of syrup with the prescribed dosage.
1- Herbal tea
Stevia can also be used to prepare healthy and delicious herbal tea when mixed with mint leaves.
2- Stevia Syrup
a. Take a few dry leaves off of Stevia.
b. Crush them well to make a fine powder.
c. Boil 1 tablespoon of stevia powder with 2 cups of water in it.
d. Alleviate the flame after one boil and heat the mixture for the next 10-15 minutes.
e. Strain the prepared syrup and keep it in an airtight container.
f. Now, you can use this as a natural and healthy sweetener.
Side effects of Stevia
While Stevia is magically infused with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties, and healing properties, it is also found to have certain side effects, especially for people with kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, allergy, women who do breastfeeding, liver disease, or pregnant women.
Certain after-effects of using Stevia have been shown in some scientific studies.
-Bloating
-Dizziness
- Nausea
-Numbness
-Muscle pain
Precautionary guide while using Stevia
1- Allergy
Stevia may cause allergies in people who are allergic to ragweed and other members of this family. As it is prescribed to consult with your doctor first.
2- Breastfeeding
Since enough scientific evidence is still not available, it is advisable to use it after a doctor's advice.
3- Patient with diabetes
Some studies state that Stevia can lower the blood sugar level. Thus, it is advisable to monitor the blood sugar levels while taking Stevia along with antidiabetic drugs.
4- Patient with kidney disease
According to a scientific view, stevia might affect the renal activity and flow of urine. So, patients with kidney diseases should use Stevia as recommended by a physician.
5- Patient with liver disease
Stevia can cause damage to the liver, so it is advisable to use it after consulting with the doctor.
6- Pregnancy
Since not enough scientific evidence is available, it is advisable to use Stevia after consulting a doctor.
7- Moderate medicine interaction
Stevia may interact with CNS drugs as it is advantageous to consult with the doctor before taking Stevia.
FAQ about STEVIA
Q. Is Stevia better than aspartame?
Yes, Stevia is considered better than aspartame as it has very little effect on the glucose level. It also enhances glucose intolerance and is known for its sweetness in taste.
Q. How to store Stevia?
Stevia should be stored in an airtight container.
Q.In what forms is Stevia available?
Stevia can be found in tablets, leaf powder, fresh leaves, and in liquid form.
Q.Is Stevia considered being an artificial sweetener?
No, Stevia is a natural sweetener because it has glycosides present in it. Glycosides are a major natural source of sweetness.
Q.Can Stevia cause tooth decay?
No, studies have shown that Stevia is not responsible for any tooth decay.
Q.Is Stevia better than sugar?
Stevia is relatively healthier than sugar. It's a no-calorie sweetener that contains very few calories than sugar. It's going to have various health-enhancing properties, which make it a really good option. Stevia also manages diabetes by inhibiting diabetes-related digestive enzymes, whereas sugar may increase blood glucose levels. But Being rich in antioxidants, it also helps improve the system.
Q. Is Stevia good for teeth?
Yes, because of its antibacterial properties, Stevia might be good for teeth. It inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes Dental plaque and cavities.
Q.Is Stevia good for the liver?
According to the modern scientific view, Yes, Stevia could be good for the liver thanks to its anti-hepatotoxic effect. It's antioxidant enzymes that fight free radicals and stop cellular damage. It also helps within the regeneration of the damaged liver tissues, thereby protecting the liver.
Q.Does Stevia prevent kidney damage?
Yes, Stevia can inhibit kidney damage due to the certain constituent present in it. It prevents kidney cell damage and stops the growth of cysts in the kidney.
Q. Can Stevia reduce the desire for tobacco intake?
Yes, Stevia might decrease the will for tobacco consumption as it contains certain constituents that promote liveliness and luxury in individuals having cravings for tobacco or alcohol and suppresses any such desires.
Q.Is too much stevia bad for you?
Due to the less research on it, it is difficult to predict Stevia's exact daily recommended intake.
Q.Can Stevia cause weight gain?
Yes, Stevia might increase body weight because of the sweetened chemical that increases intake, body fat, and body weight.
Q.Stevia good for your heart?
Although enough scientific evidence is not available to prove if it is good for the heart or not, stevia's long-term use might strengthen the heart and vascular system because of its cardiotonic action.
Q.Does Stevia help manage inflammation?
Yes, Stevia might decrease the will for tobacco consumption as it contains certain constituents that promote liveliness and luxury in individuals having cravings for tobacco or alcohol and suppresses any such desires.
Q. Is Stevia bad for inflammation?
No, Stevia isn't bad for inflammation. Stevia has antimicrobial properties, which provides it the power to evade the expansion and reproduction of harmful bacteria and stop other invading infections. Alongside that, its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory action helps with inflammation and immune-modulation (the process of altering the immune reaction to the specified level).
Q.Does Stevia help improve the immune system?
Yes, because of its immunomodulatory activity, Stevia might help improve the immune system. It has phytochemicals and various other components present in it that help in regulating the immune system.
Q.Can Stevia cause body aches?
In some cases, people with stevia may cause digestion problems like bloating, while others experience things like Dizziness, muscle pain, and numbness.
Q.Can Stevia leaves are eaten?
The FDA does not approve stevia leaf, and crude stevia extracts in food items, fresh or dried Stevia leaves can be used to sweeten a beverage. For brewing, try not to use cold water as Stevia requires warm water to release the sweetness. Fresh leaves are relatively less sweet than dried leaves, but they are much sweeter than sugar. It is best to taste your beverage before serving to ensure the desired taste.
Q.Are there any downsides to taking Stevia?
Yes, a bit like other food products, stevia might affect our health when taken in excess. Unless taken within the pure leaf shape, it's yet refined food. Small or conditioned consumption of Stevia isn't harmful, but lately, numerous products containing stevia are available within the market, making us unknowingly take more than this sweetener without realizing it.
Q.How much Stevia per day is safe?
As per the FDA, the agreeable daily intake of steviol glycosides is advised to be 4 mg per kg of the weight. Steviol glycosides are the chief reason for the sweetness of Stevia. It is a non-nutritive sweetener and has been 200 to 400 times sweeter than table sugar.
Q.Does Stevia cause belly fat?
According to a scientific view, stevia has low energy and carbohydrate contents, two items likely to increase one's risk of belly fat. According to the US Department of Agriculture, it can help in losing weight when used to replace sugar intake of about 45 calories for each tablespoon.
Q.How to use stevia drops?
Stevia can be used in different forms like drops and powder. You can use 2-3 drops or as per your consultation with the doctor.
Q.How to use stevia leaves for diabetes?
A diabetic person can replace the sugar with stevia leaves to scale back calorie intake. Leaves of stevia can be used in powder or drops to make sweetened foods and drinks.
Q.Is Stevia good for the skin?
Stevia is beneficial for the skin due to its shining and lightening properties. It provides a glow and tightens the skin.
Q.Is Stevia good for eczema?
Yes, Stevia could be good for eczema because of its antibacterial property. Its liquid extract is often applied to the affected area to inhibit the expansion of bacteria that induces inflammation of the sebaceous glands. This helps to prevent the formation of acne and rashes, thereby managing eczema.
Q.Does Stevia endow protection from infection in cuts and wounds?
Because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it prevents cuts and wounds.
Q.Can Stevia cause acne?
No, Stevia doesn't cause any acne; on the contrary, Stevia's extract can help alleviate the acne when applied to the affected area.
Q.Does Stevia cause hair loss?
No, Stevia doesn't cause hair loss; some studies have shown that Stevia might be good for hair growth, thickening, and preventing hair growth.
