Amal Al-Sibai Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Consuming a diet high in sugar can affect our health in a number of negative ways; in fact some famous researchers in the field of nutrition went as far as naming it “the white poison.” Apart from leading to weight gain, too much sugar can decrease the immune system's function, cause dental cavities, and affect mood. Sugar-sweetened beverages are particularly bad for your health because they deliver a quick rush of sugar to your body, raise blood sugar levels, and in response the body secretes a sudden and large amount of insulin. The surge of insulin once again brings sugar levels crashing down. Over time, this yo-yo effect of rising and falling blood sugar levels may increase the risk of developing insulin resistance and type II diabetes. Moreover, a higher and consistent secretion of insulin slows the burning of fat in the body, making it harder to lose weight. For diabetics, it is essential that they keep their blood sugar levels under control in order to avoid diabetic complications such as vision problems, nerve damage, kidney and heart disease, and skin disorders. Tea and coffee addicts who love it sweet and are battling weight gain face a problem because their favorite beverage may be an undesirable source of added sugar to their diet. If you cannot enjoy the naturally bitter taste of freshly roasted black coffee or fragrant tea without any sugar, a new sweetener on the market may be the answer to your problem. Sweeteners such as Steviana are derived from stevia plant leaves which are native to South America. Native people in South America have used stevia as a natural sweetener for hundreds of years and the leaves were also used to make medicines. Currently, estimates show that its use comprises up to 40 percent of the worldwide sweetener market and it is widespread in South American countries and in Japan as well. Each regular sachet of stevia which is equivalent to about four teaspoons of cane sugar contains only six calories, whereas four teaspoons of sugar provide 64 calories. It is an extremely low calorie sweetener, without artificial chemicals; making it beneficial to diabetics and weight watchers. “Stevia is a natural sweetener that is extracted from a sweet leaf plant. It is 300 times sweeter than normal cane sugar. “Stevia is suitable for people with diabetes as it does not cause a rise in blood sugar and it may be helpful for those trying to lose weight. “However one must change overall eating habits because research indicates that these sweeteners do not satisfy the body's urge or cravings for sweets. “Watch out for other products that have added chemicals and preservatives to them, such as aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, and sorbitol,” said Sarah Hallaj, dietician at Dr. Ghassan N. Pharaon Hosptial. Unlike sweetening your tea or coffee with sugar, stevia does not trigger a sudden rise in blood sugar levels. Using this sweetener may help avoid the cycle of getting a sudden burst of energy from tea or coffee or cola that contain sugar, then followed by fatigue and the need for another quick fix from a sweet beverage again. Stevia is natural and it has been under much study and scrutiny and results show that it is probably far safer than the artificial sweeteners that hit the market in the 1980s, which were later discovered to be potentially carcinogenic. Aspartame has been shown to cause brain tumors in lab animals and can cause damage to neurons in the brain in humans. Saccharin has been associated with depression, headaches, diarrhea, numbness, and other side effects. Since stevia does such a good job of sweetening your beverage, you need to add very little actually. Many people who have tasted stevia report that it takes longer for the sweetness to kick in but the sweet flavor lasts longer. The downside is that stevia has a distinct aftertaste which some people may dislike.
