Did you know that stevia sugar comes from a plant called Stevia rebaudiana? This plant was first discovered in 1887 and has been used by the people of Paraguay and Brazil as an artificial sweetener. Stevia contains compounds called steviol glycosides, which make it taste 250-300 times sweeter than regular sugar. Because of its intense sweetness, stevia doesn't need to be used in large quantities. Despite being sweeter, stevia doesn't contain calories, making it a popular alternative sweetener. Here are some benefits of stevia:

1. Suitable for Diabetics
   Stevia is consumed by people with diabetes because scientific research suggests that it is safe and effective in helping to maintain blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients. For safety, it's recommended to choose pure stevia without any added mixtures to maintain its effectiveness.

2. Aids in Weight Management
   By consuming stevia, your daily calorie intake will be reduced, helping to manage and even reduce body weight.

3. Maintains Healthy Blood Pressure
   Another benefit of consuming stevia is its potential to help maintain normal blood pressure. This is attributed to the presence of glycosides that are believed to help dilate blood vessels.

4. Lowers Cholesterol Levels
   Scientific studies suggest that stevia may have the potential to increase good HDL cholesterol while decreasing total cholesterol, bad LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. However, more research is needed to confirm this effect.

5. Reduces the Risk of Kidney Disease
   As a natural alternative sweetener, stevia is thought to be effective in reducing the risk of kidney disease. This is because stevia may help prevent diabetes, which can contribute to kidney disease.
   
   

Source: alodokter.com