Even if your sugar intake is reduced, you can still enjoy sweet foods or drinks. The trick, exchange sugar with natural sweeteners such as stevia which contains almost no calories.
Stevia is derived from the leaf extract of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. This plant contains the sweetener steviol glycoside, a processed product of the leaves, which has been used as a sweetener for many years in South America and Asia. It tastes, 200 to 300 times sweeter than regular sugar. In a way, a small pinch of stevia powder is equivalent to about a teaspoon of granulated sugar.
Despite being many times as sweet, stevia contains almost no calories. When consumed, stevia will be broken down into steviol and absorbed by the body. However, the body does not store steviol, but instead gets rid of it quickly in the form of urine and feces.
Stevia and Diabetes
If you have diabetes, don't worry. Stevia is thought to help keep blood sugar levels under control. According to a study of 12 diabetic patients and 19 healthy people, it was found that stevia is thought to be able to significantly lower glucose and insulin levels. And despite its low calorie content, stevia can still make us feel full and satisfied after eating.
Several other studies have shown that consuming 1000 mg of stevia leaf extract containing 91% stevioside per day is thought to reduce blood sugar levels after eating by 18% in type 2 diabetes sufferers.
Although research on the use of stevia in controlling blood sugar still needs further evidence and studies, stevia is also thought to have antioxidant and antidiabetic properties, so that it can fight free radicals, increase glucose tolerance significantly, increase insulin production and action, stabilize blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of complications in people with type 2 diabetes.
Stevia Use
Stevia can be substituted for granulated sugar and mixed into coffee, tea, lemonade, juices, smoothies, or plain yogurt. In addition, stevia can also be used to make cakes or cookies, it's just that it is likely to leave a bitter taste sensation after consumption.
But even though it's natural, don't be careless or excessive in consuming stevia. It is recommended to consume stevia as much as 4 mg/kg body weight. That is, if you weigh 50 kg, do not consume more than 200 mg of stevia per day. Also pay attention to sugar intake from other foods or drinks that do not contain stevia.
Sugar is really needed by the body as the main source of energy. However, too much sugar is actually not good for health and can cause various diseases, one of which is diabetes. Therefore, it is recommended to reduce and limit daily sugar consumption to maintain a balance of glucose levels in the blood. This applies to anyone, especially for people with diabetes.
In controlling blood sugar levels, pay attention to the various aspects that affect it, it is recommended to always maintain a healthy lifestyle by maintaining a balanced nutritional intake, controlling daily sugar consumption, getting enough rest and body fluids, and exercising regularly and regularly. Remember, the use of stevia may be helpful as a substitute for regular sugar, but that does not mean it can replace the medicine given by the doctor. So, don't hesitate to consult further with your doctor regarding the use of stevia, as well as your nutrition and medication.
