Stevia Herb: Natural Cure For Diabetes

Diabetes, a very common and severe disorder nowadays, is a complex hormonal disorder of protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Diabetes mellitus is mainly an outcome of defect of the insulin receptors or a complete or relative deficiency of insulin secretion by the Langerhans beta cells of the pancreas. Diabetes mellitus occurs when body doesn't fulfill the requirement of insulin to maintain the normal blood sugar levels. In insulin-dependent diabetes (type I diabetes mellitus), pancreas produces very little or no insulin at all. In non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type II diabetes mellitus), pancreas continues to produce insulin, many times even at superior than normal levels. Here are mentioned important details about Stevia Herb as it is a natural cure for diabetes.

Many people are sugar craving but they avoid it due to Diabetes. The normal person can take all the sweet nutritious foods, while for diabetic person sugar intake is a trouble. There is good news for this diabetic people as now they can eat the equivalent of twenty teaspoons of sugar in just one day. A 100% safe natural substitute of sugar which is made from pure extract of stevia, gives a great healthy choice. Stevia doesn't contain sugar, fructose, aspartame, saccharin, F.O.S., sucralose, maltodextrin or any other artificial sweetener. It contains 'Reb-A 97%' which is the sweetest part of Stevia and US F.D.A. approved it as a food additive.

Stevia is a small herb, just about 3 feet in height, now gives a new ray of hope for diabetic people, as it is a major source of a low-calorie bio-sweetener and is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. Even too much sugar is bad for a normal person. So if you have best option of the natural low-calorie sweetener, then why you need to use artificial one? Stevia is successfully used in many countries. It is deemed ideal for diabetics as it is a zero calorie sweetener and free of carbohydrate and also regulates the blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of insulin.

• Common Names: Stevia, sweet-herb, honeyleaf, candy leaf,  sweet leaf of Paraguay, caa-he-éé, ca-a-yupi, kaa jheéé, azucacaa, ca-a-jhei, eira-caa, erva doce, capim doce, yaa waan, honey yerba.
• Biological source: Eupatorium rebaudianum
• Species: Rebaudiana
• Family: Asteraceae
• Genus: Stevia
• Part Used: Leaves

Stevia, a source of natural sweeteners, is a herb native to South America. The glycosides named rebaudioside and stevioside, responsible for its sweet taste are isolated from its leaves. It also contains volatile oils, trace elements, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients which give medicinal and nutritional value to Stevia. The Food and Drug Administration approved the herb stevia as safe for “food additives” in 2008. Nowadays the steviols glycosides are used in foods and beverages, in herbal supplements and as syrups and sweetening powders. In addition to diabetes, it is also used in hypertension, heartburn, cold and flu, indigestion, weight loss, gingivitis, cavities, chronic fatigue, tooth decay, osteoporosis, candidiasis, bacterial infections, dandruff and hair loss dermatitis, eczema, skin conditions such as rashes, wounds, cuts and itchiness, and lastly it also helps in withdrawal from alcohol and tobacco addiction.

Stevia: Cure for diabetes

Stevia does not give direct antidiabetic effects but its use as a sweetener reduces the intake of sugars in patients. Stevia brings down the blood sugar levels, increase insulin resistance and discourage the absorption of glucose in the blood without any side effects. The glycemic index of stevia is zero because it is not converted into glucose in the body. Stevia has been used in the treatment of diabetes in South America from centuries and in Germany and Japan from over two decades. The Hypoglycemic action is probably produced due to the presence of the steviosides. Steviol glycosides can not be metabolized by the body and are excreted out in the urine besides getting accrued in the body. Stevia foster the pancreas and helps it to restore regular pancreatic function, which is helpful for the diabetic condition.

According to survey, there is a 35.2% fall in blood sugar levels after 6 to 8 hours of the ingestion of a stevia leaf extract. However, stevia does not lower the blood glucose levels in normal condition. Drinking the tea made with its extract or crushed raw Stevia leaves daily may help to cure hyperglycemia. Diabetes is generally accompanied by edema, slow healing and high blood pressure. Stevia assists in all such indications because it has antiseptic qualities and diuretic effect.

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