Is Stevia Good For You?

Since Stevia is from a plant, you would think it can only be good for you, right? Let’s take a look at this sweetener.

It turns out that most of it isn’t natural. What? Yes, it’s true. We eat so much sugar that trying to find a replacement can be mind boggling, to say the least!

Stevia was banned in the U.S. in the 1990s. Then it was okay to sell as a supplement. Then, in the early 2000s, some big companies pressured the FDA to let them use it as a sweetener.

The word “natural” is unregulated. Arsenic is natural! So what happened is that the approval for Stevia wasn’t for the whole plant, only for the active ingredient (Reb A). While Stevia has been used for centuries, Reb A has not!!

Its long term effect on us in unknown. How safe is it? Nobody knows. Stevia goes through heavy processing. Chemicals are used, such as acetone, methanol, etc. Doesn’t sound like food, does it? This is what happens with Truvia. Two more chemicals are added to that, to make matters worse. The first is erythritol which is naturally occurring in fresh fruit, but they are not using this kind. They process it from GMO corn which is fermented to make pure erythritol and then they add natural flavors to cover the taste.

What about Stevia in the Raw? Look at the first ingredient on the label: it’s dextrose! It’s also in PureVia.

Is it possible to find a true Stevia? Look for “whole leaf stevia” on the label or grow your own and use it! You really have to be an investigator anymore if you want to put healthier ingredients into your body. All sweeteners aren’t great for you, so be aware of using in moderation.

You are worth it!

- Karen