One of the natural alternatives to refined sugar or chemical based sweeteners is stevia. The herb stevia, has been used both nutritionally and medicinally for centuries by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay. By the 1970s, Japan started using stevia commercially and today, they are the biggest users of the extract, which has captured 50 percent of Japan’s sweetener industry. Today stevia is grown around the world from China, Japan, and other Asian countries to South America, Europe, India, the Ukraine, and even North America.

Stevia’s most obvious and notable characteristic is its sweet taste. It is a great sweetener alternative because it does not raise blood sugar levels. In fact, research has shown that concentrate of the leaf has a regulating effect on the pancreas and helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Stevia is useful to people with diabetes, hypoglycemia, and Candida infection. However, it does have an aftertaste similar to artificial sweeteners, so you will need to do a taste test before assuming this is the solution for you.

Stevia can be found in four forms. The fresh leaves are the most pure form, but they are difficult to find. Dried leaves are used in brewing herbal teas and for making liquid extracts. The powder form is dried leaves ground into a fine powder. It is used in teas and cooking but does not dissolve well. The powder form is usually about 10 to 15 times sweeter than sugar.

Stevia can also be found in liquid extract form. The extract is a concentrated syrup derived from the dried leaves. Using the version made with water and not alcohol will ensure you are getting the purest form of the plant. Liquid stevia made without alcohol is dark green in color. You can buy stevia in its dry or liquid form in most health food stores and on the Internet. Because stevia is not mass-produced like the common sugar substitutes on the market, you will likely pay more for stevia than Equal or Splenda.