Where Does Stevia Originate?
Stevia is a non-caloric herb that is a member of the Chrysanthemum family that grows wild as a small shrub. It has been used by native populations for centuries and is rapidly growing in popularity as both a natural sweetener and an herbal cure. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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There are signs that Stevia has been used to sweeten a native beverage called mate since pre-Columbian times. However, its first recorded usage was in 1887.
Significance
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Stevia is the only all-natural, zero-calorie, zero-glycemic-index alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners at this time. With obesity and diabetes both on the rise, this could become a major breakthrough for health improvement.
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Geography
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Stevia is native to Paraguay, where the native Indian tribes have used it for centuries. It can be grown in warm climates with little danger of frost and prefers acidic, loamy soils. It will not tolerate saline soils.
Size
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Stevia is difficult to cultivate from seed, so it is best to start with small plants. They should be spaced in rows about 20 to 24 inches apart with about 18 inches between plants. Your stevia shrubs should grow to about 30 inches high and 18 to 24 inches wide.
Warning
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Three petitions seeking approval of stevia as a food additive have been submitted to FDA since 1989. All three petitions were rejected because of inadequate data on the safety of stevia, but the FDA did give the stevia sweetener rebiana it's "Generally Regarded As Safe" (GRAS) status in December 2008.
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