Stevia is a non-caloric sweetener that is relatively new on the international market. It originates in the leaves of a South American plant. Because of that it’s marketed as a “100% natural” alternative to other non-caloric sweeteners.
There’s been some discussion about how natural it really is, as it’s extracted from the leaves using different solvents and goes through further chemical processes before it emerges as a white sweet powder.
Personally I’m no fan of sweeteners, regardless of their origin. They tend to maintain an addiction to sweets. I’ve never seen Stevia as “natural”. It’s purified from leaves and thus it’s no more natural than snorting cocaine (which is also purified from leaves).
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If stevia is processed with chemicals then you need to rethink your position on chemicals, not all are bad. Like vanilla extracts stevia is extracted with food grade alcohol, are you saying we shouldn't eat extracts?
And what about organic stevia, how is that bad? Where is the danger in having an organic sweetener that doesn't have any downside.
I think you are confusing different types of addiction, as others have pointed out. I do not have an addiction to sweets, I have a preference for a bit of sweetener in my coffee and other foods. That doesn't mean I am addicted.
I do in fact grow stevia on my patio, and I do in fact use it right off the plant in salads and tea. There are instructions on the internet on how to make extracts at home using food grade alcohol OR water as well.
Again, I am very disappointed in this article, I expect better from you and until now I have always gotten it.
The problem is that using Stevia maintains an addiction to sweets.
Possibly this abnormally sweet taste and its effect in the brain also messes up body weight regulation / hunger / cravings / insulin in other more discreet ways but that's speculative.