FYI:Is Stevia a Good Substitute for Sugar?

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Is Stevia a Good Substitute for Sugar?

Yes, says our expert. This natural sweetener is especially good for people with

diabetes.

By Dansinger, MD

WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD

In every issue of WebMD the Magazine, we ask our experts to answer readers'

questions about a wide range of topics. In our January-February 2011 issue, we

asked WebMD's Diabetes Expert, Dansinger, MD, whether stevia, a new

natural sweetener, is a good sugar substitute for people with diabetes.

Slideshow: Blood Sugar Control and Insulin

I have type 2 diabetes, and I'm trying to reduce my sugar intake. I've heard

about stevia. What is it? Is it safe?

Stevia, derived from the sweetleaf plant native to South America, is an

excellent substitute for sugar, one I highly recommend you add to your diabetes

self-care bag of tricks.

Here's why it's so good: Stevia leaves contain two " glycoside " molecules,

steioside and rebaudioside, which are 300 times sweeter than table sugar. The

leaves can be used whole or in ground form in food and beverages. More

typically, the sweet glycosides themselves are extracted from the plant material

and sold as a processed powder or concentrated liquid.

Stevia's taste is on par with other sugar substitutes -- sweet with a mild

aftertaste that can be masked by blending with other sweet ingredients. Already

popular in Japan and parts of Asia and Australia, this sugar substitute is being

used in some commercial beverages in this country, too, including SoBe Lifewater

and Vitaminwater Zero.

Besides tasting good, stevia has no calories, a zero glycemic index (meaning it

has no carbs), no artificial ingredients, and no effect on blood sugar. It's a

way to satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your blood sugar levels.

~Sugar