Stevia is a natural sweetener that has become increasingly popular in recent years as people search for healthier alternatives to sugar. Here are 10 surprising facts you might not know about stevia.

1. Stevia is a plant native to South America

Stevia is a plant that belongs to the sunflower family, and it is native to South America.

The leaves of the stevia plant contain natural sweeteners that are much sweeter than sugar, and they have been used for centuries by indigenous people in Paraguay and Brazil to sweeten their foods and beverages.

2. Stevia has zero calories

Stevia is a calorie-free sweetener, which means it is a great alternative to sugar for people who are trying to lose weight or manage their blood sugar levels.

Stevia is also a great option for people with diabetes because it does not cause a spike in blood sugar levels like sugar does.

3. Stevia is much sweeter than sugar

The natural sweeteners found in stevia leaves are much sweeter than sugar, which means you need to use much less stevia to achieve the same level of sweetness. In fact, stevia is about 200-300 times sweeter than sugar, so a little goes a long way.

4. Stevia has no harmful side effects

Unlike artificial sweeteners, which may have negative side effects, stevia is a natural sweetener that has been found to be safe for consumption.

Stevia has been used in South America for centuries without any reported negative side effects, and numerous studies have found that stevia is safe for human consumption.

5. Stevia can be used in cooking and baking

Stevia is not only a great sweetener for beverages, but it can also be used for cooking and baking. Because stevia is much sweeter than sugar, you need to use much less of it when cooking or baking.

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You can replace sugar with stevia in your favorite recipes, but be sure to follow a recipe specifically developed for stevia to get the best results.

6. Stevia does not promote tooth decay

Sugar is known to promote tooth decay, but stevia does not have the same effect. In fact, some studies have found that stevia may actually help to prevent tooth decay by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria that cause cavities.

7. Stevia can be used to sweeten tea and coffee

Stevia is a great natural sweetener for tea and coffee. Because stevia is so much sweeter than sugar, you need to use just a few drops to achieve the desired level of sweetness.

Stevia also does not change the flavor of tea or coffee like sugar does, so you can enjoy the true flavor of your favorite brews.

8. Stevia comes in different forms

Stevia is available in different forms, including liquid, powder, and granules. Liquid stevia is great for sweetening beverages, while stevia powder and granules are perfect for cooking and baking.

Be sure to check the label when buying stevia to make sure it does not contain any fillers or other additives.

9. Stevia is safe for children

Stevia is safe for children, and it can be a great way to reduce their intake of sugar. Because stevia is much sweeter than sugar, you need to use much less of it when sweetening foods and beverages for children.