After a friends recommendation .. I got really curious about the natural sweetener called Stevia and did some research. For those who don’t know – Stevia is a plant that is naturally sweet – when condensed can be used as a ZERO calorie sweetener .. AND it actually helps insulin levels in the body function properly.

I saw that it is currently being treated as a supplement rather than a food item – or sweetener – and it is rather hard to find locally. I looked for this in both the supplement section of my grocery store and then with the sugars and other sweeteners – but couldn’t find it.

From what I read the FDA may have been holding off calling this a sweetener because of political reasons {ie: a threat to sugar growers} – and I didn’t really see any other indication the plant would be harmful for ingestion. Reports coming out yesterday in the Seattle Times show that Stevia may be approved as a food source very soon!

I’ve seen reports that Stevia has been treated as an illegal drug in the past. However – you can legally purchase and grow this sweetener in your own garden {I’m looking into doing this!}. The sweetner has no adverse effects on blood glucose levels – meaning it’s safe for diabetics to use.

And now … there are ads on TV for a product called Truvia – which seems to be a name brand processed version of Stevia for use in the home. The Truvia web site indicates that Sprite(r) will be coming out with a version sweetened with Stevia – which will be great for soda lovers like me! The best thing about this – is that it’s an all-natural sweetener!

I’m going to be searching the local stores to see if I can find this … and will report back with a review on how sweet the flavor really is. My biggest concern – having drunk diet sodas for almost 18 years – is that Truvia will end up being TOO sweet. Like anything else .. I will use the product in moderation until we know a bit more about long-term effects.

SOURCES:  http://www.stevia.net/;  http://www.stevia.com/.