Health Benefits of Stevia

Almost everybody wants to have a great sweet tasting coffee drink and Stevia is one of the sugar substitutes that can actually add a dose of sweetness to your everyday coffee.

Stevia is a class of shrub and herb which is in the sunflower family.  It is commonly known as sweet leaf and sugar leaf because of its sweet taste.   Stevia plants are native to the rainforests of Paraguay.   According to history, Paraguay’s Guarani Indians have been using Stevia to enhance the taste of their beverages and medicines for more than 1500 years.    In fact, the word “Stevia” originated from the name, Petrus Jacobus Stevus, a Spanish botanist and physician who researched about Stevia plants in 1500s.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Stevia has some sweet compounds which do not have any carcinogenic activity. It contains most of the important vitamins and minerals required for good health.   Since it is a plant, it has a lot of phytonutrients.  

According to research, the following are the health benefits of Stevia:

1. Helps stabilize blood sugar levels
2. Lowers elevated blood pressure (hypertension)
3. Reduces gas and stomach acidity
4. Good for obesity
5. Good for hair and scalp
6. Good for gums and teeth
7. Can increases energy level
8. Can increases mental acuity
9. May help with wrinkles, fine lines, skin blemishes, dermatitis, eczema, acne outbreaks, scarring, rashes, itchiness, chapped lips and other skin problems

Life Is Sweet And Sour Like Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is not only a delicious fruit drink that people enjoy but also it contains vitamins and minerals that are good for our health. The following are the health benefits of cranberry juice:

1. It has proanthocyanidins which is effective in the prevention of urinary tract, kidney and bladder infections.
2. It has high amount of Vitamin C which can help break down and prevent the formation of kidney stones.
3. It can fight ulcer-causing bacteria.
4. It has flavonoid compounds and ursolic acid that can fight the development of cancer.
5. It has antioxidants which protect you from neurological damages and common conditions related to aging.
6. It contains phenolic acids and anthocyanins which can counteract the effects of bacteria that cause dental plaque and tooth decay.
7. It inhibits low density lipoprotein oxidation, a process that can cause heart disease.
8. It cures sore throat and colds.
9. It can lessen total cholesterol levels in your body.
10. It contains phytonutrient which is effective in fighting the herpes simples virus that causes genital herpes.

To get maximum health benefit, your cranberry juice should be consumed unsweetened. It should be 100% juice with no preservatives and artificial flavours. It may taste sour or bitter but it is good for your health.

Cheers to your health!