Have you heard about Stevia is a sugar substitute And many people advised you to use it as a better alternative than natural sugar? Is it really a healthy alternative or does it also have damages? Before you go to buy it, first get acquainted with Stevia sugar And its benefits and harms, and the daily amount allowed in this article.

What is stevia sugar?

It is considered a natural sweetener because it is extracted from Stevia herb natural (Candyleaf– Stevia rebaudianaIt has been used for hundreds of years for sweetening, and it has become very easy to obtain in the Arab world now. You can find it in the supermarket in the form of powder or liquid, and it contains much higher sugars than regular sugar.

The benefits of stevia sugar and its nutritional value

Stevia has become increasingly popular because it contains almost no calories and also contains no carbohydrates or any artificial ingredients, and it has also been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe in its refined and purified state (but not approved for raw use of the herb itself), which is what You should look for it when you buy the product. Some studies and research have suggested these benefits of stevia sweetener, but they are not completely confirmed and may need more research:

Stevia sugar for the diet

If you are on a weight loss diet and wondering about Stevia sugar for dietRefined stevia products can be used to sweeten drinks and add them to foods because they do not contain any calories or carbohydrates, so they may not cause weight gain, but it has also not been proven that stevia helps to lose weight in particular, so if you keep using stevia as a substitute for sugar in particular Balanced but if there are other ingredients that contain calories, you may gain weight too.

Stevia sugar damage and side effects

Although refined stevia products have been shown to be safe to use, there are some harms and side effects that some people have experienced that have been linked to stevia sugar such as:

• Nausea and dizziness
• Feeling of bloating in the abdomen
• muscle pain;
• Feeling of numbness in the body
• Digestive problems and sometimes diarrhea
• Some people who are allergic to the family of plants that stevia belongs to (daisies and marigolds) may also be allergic to manufactured stevia products.
• There is some evidence that stevia sugar may be unsafe for low pressure patients, because it contains some substances that can cause low blood pressure. If you suffer from low pressure, you should consult your doctor first before using stevia as a sugar substitute.

The permissible daily amount of stevia and its use

As we mentioned, stevia sweetener is considered safe to use, provided it is taken in the daily doses specified for adults and children. It should not exceed 5 milligrams per 1 kilogram of body weight, because it contains sweeteners that are 200-300 times more than regular sugar.

You can use stevia as a sugar substitute (a pinch of stevia between your fingers is equivalent to a teaspoon of regular sugar) by adding it to tea, coffee, juices, milk and yogurt. You can also add it when making desserts and baked goods in a smaller amount than regular sugar, but it may give a different and sour taste that can be felt when eating.

Stevia for diabetics

So far there is no scientific evidence regarding the effect Stevia sweetener for diabeticsHowever, there are some studies that suggest the benefits of factory stevia for diabetics, as it is an alternative to sugar that does not contain any calories, in addition to not affecting the level of sugar in the blood, so it can be used to sweeten food and drinks for diabetics, but there is still a need for more research on this subject.

Stevia sugar for pregnant and lactating women

Unlike other herbs, the use of manufactured or refined stevia products can be safe during pregnancy and lactation, but the use of the herb in its natural or raw form is not safe for pregnant women and is never recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation, so dear pregnant women we advise you for more safety not to use Stevia during pregnancy only to prevent any possible harm.

Is stevia healthy for children?

Refined stevia products are safe for children and may be healthier than regular sugar if they are used in the specified amount (5 mg per kilogram of the child’s weight), because they reduce the sugars that the child consumes in products composed of regular sugar.

In general it is considered Stevia sugar It is a safe artificial sweetener when used in the specified quantities per day, which can help you control your weight and blood sugar if you are a sugar lover, and before you rely on it in your daily life permanently, we advise you to consult a doctor in the event of any of the side effects that we mentioned. And in the event that you suffer from a health condition that prevents you from using it, and if you have any questions, you can consult one of our doctors from here.