| Artificial sweeteners are developed in organic | | | | and vitamin stores usually in the vitamin department. |
| chemistry | | | | It can |
| labs. Stevia grows wild in the rain forests.Finally, a | | | | also be bought online. So far there do not seem to |
| sweetener that I think has yet to show any real | | | | be any real |
| toxicity. It has been used for centuries by the | | | | problems with stevia. There were some poorly |
| Guarani | | | | conducted studies |
| Indians both as a sweetener and a medicinal. It does | | | | done with enormous quantities of stevia |
| not | | | | administered to some |
| have any calories, is suitable for diabetics and does | | | | lab animals with resultant ?mutagens and problems |
| not | | | | with |
| cause cavities. It is obtained from the leaves of the | | | | carbohydrate metabolism. Generally, studies that are |
| stevia | | | | done |
| shrub which grows wild in the Amambay Mountain | | | | to find something wrong with a product, will either |
| region of | | | | find |
| Paraquay.Introduced in Japan in 1970.Stevia was first | | | | something wrong by utilizing poorly designed |
| introduced to Japan in 1970 and by 1988 it | | | | experiments or |
| represented 41% of the sweetener market in Japan. | | | | invent some questionable findings. Besides, what |
| To date, | | | | study done |
| there have been no ill effects or health related | | | | in a laboratory is more significant than hundreds of |
| problems. | | | | years |
| It is also used in Japan, to sweeten other foods | | | | of use in South America and well over thirty years |
| such as ice | | | | of use in |
| cream, bread, candy, pickles, seafood, vegetables | | | | Japan, with no known ill effects on human |
| and soft | | | | health.Stevia is even known to have good medicinal |
| drinks. The safety of stevia is accepted in Japan. | | | | properties.In fact, stevia has been shown to have |
| Besides | | | | good medicinal properties |
| being grown in Japan, it is now grown in China, | | | | in well designed studies, such as lowering blood |
| Germany, | | | | pressure and |
| Malaysia, Israel and South Korea.1991 Stevia Banned | | | | improving glucose tolerance in diabetics.Today's |
| by the FDASometime in the late 1980's an | | | | Health TipIf you like to have added sweetness in |
| anonymous interest filed a | | | | your teas, coffee and |
| trade complaint against stevia when it began to | | | | other foods, definitely consider stevia. It appears to |
| show up in the | | | | be a |
| US. One of the companies using stevia at that time | | | | whole lot safer than any of the other sweeteners |
| was Celestial | | | | both sugar |
| Seasonings Herbal Tea Company. The FDA ordered | | | | based and artificial, that we have recently |
| them to stop | | | | reviewed.ReferenceStryer Biochemistry Fourth |
| producing their teas, which they said were | | | | EditionThe Practical Hippie |
| "adulterated." | | | | url above contains a lot of good information on |
| Another tea company, Traditional Medicinals, had | | | | stevia |
| their entire | | | | and has a lot of good links.*******************The |
| inventory of teas containing stevia confiscated by | | | | MericleDietThe MericleDiet makes it easy to go |
| the | | | | without any added sugars |
| FDA in an unexpected raid. The FDA even ordered a | | | | or sweeteners. To visit the MericleDiet follow the link |
| "book | | | | below: for your attention.Copyright 2005 John Mericle |
| burning" in Texas, of stevia related books. | | | | M.D. All Rights Reserved is devoted to achieving |
| Fortunately, | | | | optimal health and peak performance through diet |
| the ACLU and the public heard of this and the FDA | | | | and lifestyle change. Dr. Mericle brings together a |
| backed down.1995 The FDA reverses its decision | | | | unique blend of formal training in organic chemistry |
| (halfway)Stevia can now be sold as a nutritional | | | | and biochemistry, medical education, 29 marathons, 3 |
| supplement, but not as | | | | Hawaii Ironman competitions and a lot of practical real |
| a food additive / sweetener. It is available in health | | | | life experience. |
| food | | | | |