Stevia is a natural sweetener said to be 300 times sweeter than sugar. This South American shrub is just as sweet as NutraSweet (aspartame), but less sweet than sucralose and Splenda. Available only as a dietary supplement in the U.S., the FDA has not yet approved Stevia to be labeled and sold as a sweetener.
Stevia health benefits are backed by anecdotal evidence suggesting the herb may reduce post-meal blood sugar and lower blood pressure. Not-so-sweet downsides to stevia consumption include infertility, genetic mutations and birth defects.
Stevia is relatively new to the American marketplace and consumers are cautioned of long-term use. Thousands, including myself, are sprinkling stevia over cereal and using it in coffee and tea while manufacturers continue to lobby the FDA for approval. Is stevia safe? Time will tell. Currently, the American Dietetic Association does not endorse stevia as a sugar substitute for diabetics.
I trust Vitacost and value what you are doing for the public, but have some serious questions needing anwered. I take my health seriously and do not ascribe to pharmaceutical meds. My questions are:1. Why does NO vitamin on the market contain a respectable amount of potassium, when it is so needed in our system for good health and not that available in an average daily diet?..2. Why did you increase the manganese in the new one a day vitamin? My hair test sample says I have too much in my system right now. If you live near a coal fired plant you breath it in and have it on your skin daily. It causes neurological problems which one of my neighbors has. I want to take a multiple vitamin, but am forced to now take more of what I don't need to get what I do. I really would appreciate an educated response to both questions. Thank you so much. Dorothy
Posted by: Dorothy | January 12, 2009 at 11:48 AM