THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO KICKING SUGAR by Flora Zhao - HTML preview

Chapter 2

NATURAL SWEETENERS: HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO SUGAR

How to Choose Stevia Sweetener

and may also contain some preservatives such as alcohol. Col-orless and transparent products are formulated using steviol glycosides as raw materials; products that are green in color are more likely to be directly extracted from the stevia plant.

Jeppesen recommended choosing products that com-

bine soluble fiber and steviol glycosides for a calorie-free sweet taste and additional fiber intake. Also, the application and preparation methods of these products are similar to

those of sugar, making them a practical alternative for use in cooking.

Some stevia products have a metallic or bitter taste

from the stevioside compound.

Jeppesen said that the taste of steviol glycoside prod-

ucts will continue to improve as extraction technology ad-Stevia plants. (casa.da.photo/Shutterstock)

vances. In fact, the aftertaste of metallic or bitter flavors Despite stevia’s benefits, not all stevia products available can now be eliminated. In the future, there’ll be more and for sale are high quality.

more steviol glycoside products available to choose from.

Some products have been found to contain artificial

sweeteners sodium saccharin and sodium cyclamate. In

addition, crude stevia extracts may have a higher allergen-ic potential than high-purity stevia sweeteners containing Growing Stevia Plants at Home

at least 95 percent of steviol glycosides.

Because stevia is so sweet, most stevia products found

How can stevia plants be grown at home?

in supermarkets are blended formulas. Steviol glycosides

Stevia is a hardy plant that will thrive under the right

generally account for only about 1 percent of powdered

conditions. Provided with adequate light and well-drain-

products, while the remaining ingredients are usually suging, lightweight soil, stevia plants will produce more leaves ar alcohols such as erythritol and xylitol. Certain products with higher levels of steviol glycosides.

may also contain a combination of steviol glycosides and

Stevia leaves contain eight different steviol glycosides, cane sugar or raw sugar.

with rebaudioside A noted for its more pleasant taste com-Liquid-based stevia products mainly contain water

pared to stevioside. In recent years, high-quality stevia va-24

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