Finally, a new day may be dawning for those of us looking for a natural, sugar-free option in our beverages, yogurt, cereal, ice cream and other sweet treats. I was thrilled when I read the headlines thatCoca-Colateamed up withCargill,one of the world's largest agribusiness and trading companies, to market the sweetest, best tasting part of thesteviaplant.
Stevia
is a hit among the health nut crowd. While I've tried to make it a staple in my kitchen, I've never aquired a taste for the herb's bitter, licorice aftertaste(see my recent post on the natural sweeteners I recommend).However, theCoca-Cola/Cargillpeople have spent huge amounts of money and time to process thestevia plant into a good tasting, zero-calorie, natural sweetener, which they are calling rebiana.
Of course, they have some major hurdles to cross before we'll find it in our grocery stores. First, the FDA has only approvedstevia as a food supplement, not as an additive, basing its decision on a 1985 study linkingstevia to liver damage.
However, in addition toCoca-ColaandCargilldoing their homework to prove stevia's safety in preparation to change the FDA's mind and expandstevia's use, it's been consumed for centuries in South America without any negative side effects. In Japan, wherestevia has been consumed for more than 30 years, their government reviewed and also confirmed thatstevia is a safe, sweet alternative.
Furthermore, studies have found that the sweet herb has numerous health benefits including, regulating blood sugar levels, lowering elevated blood pressure, inhibiting oral bacteria, aiding in weight loss and improving digestions.
Countries like Japan, which already allowstevia as a food additive, will be the first to enjoy rebiana. SinceCoca-ColaandCargillare industry giants with the cash and clout to influence the FDA, I have high hopes that one day in the next several years, we'll findstevia in the foods and beverages we love and it'll quickly replace the toxic sugar substitutes found in most sugar-free products. Now that's a sweet dream!
Sources:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118058140982419717-search.html?KEYWORDS=stevia&C
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118065662915120794-search.html?KEYWORDS=stevia&C
www.foodnavigator-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=77035-coca-cola-cargill-stevia-rebiana
http://healing.about.com/cs/uc_directory/a/uc_stevia_jones.htm
www.happystomach.com/stevia.htm
www.stevia.net/fda.htm
Stevia
Of course, they have some major hurdles to cross before we'll find it in our grocery stores. First, the FDA has only approvedstevia
However, in addition toCoca-ColaandCargilldoing their homework to prove stevia's safety in preparation to change the FDA's mind and expandstevia's
Furthermore, studies have found that the sweet herb has numerous health benefits including, regulating blood sugar levels, lowering elevated blood pressure, inhibiting oral bacteria, aiding in weight loss and improving digestions.
Countries like Japan, which already allowstevia
Sources:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118058140982419717-search.html?KEYWORDS=stevia&C
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118065662915120794-search.html?KEYWORDS=stevia&C
www.foodnavigator-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=77035-coca-cola-cargill-stevia-rebiana
http://healing.about.com/cs/uc_directory/a/uc_stevia_jones.htm
www.happystomach.com/stevia.htm
www.stevia.net/fda.htm