Stevia is it raw?

[trinity082482]

I have never used Stevia in recipes before but I think I remember it being mentioned as an ingredient in raw recipes before. I was reading up today about the product thinking it was something I could use because honestly.. I am itchin to use table sugar.. BAH! :rolleyes:

And I stumbled upon this information:

The South American herb stevia, which is used as a natural sweetener, has been called an “unsafe food additive” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA sent a letter to Hain Celestial Group Inc, maker of Celestial Seasonings herbal teas, saying the stevia used in some of their teas may be dangerous to blood sugar and reproductive, cardiovascular, and renal systems.


I think I will purchase some Blue Agave I had seen on Friday. Is anyone concerned about the comments made by the FDA :o

Thanks Guys



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[Nurse in the Raw]

Quote:
The South American herb stevia, which is used as a natural sweetener, has been called an “unsafe food additive” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This is so funny because the same FDA that bad mouths Stevia also allows cancer causing saccharin on the market and does not say a thing about it because they are in cahoots with the makers of it and Splenda and Equal. You can't believe a word out of the mouth of the FDA. They are a bunch of money hungry liars.

I buy sun dried Stevia leaves off of Ebay from a reputable organic grower. I put them in my smoothies and sauces and it takes just a pinch because it is to sweet.

[cherries]

I bought some stevia seeds for less than $2 on eBay, they are tiny, I have yet to plant them, when I do I'll have raw stevia!

Stevia has been used extensively (as in hundreds of tons of it every year) in Japan since the late 60's so I think it is safe:
http://www.karlloren.com/Diabetes/p11.htm
The largest user remains Japan which began cultivating Stevia plants in hothouses in 1954. When the Japanese government banned certain artificial sweeteners due to health concerns in the late sixties, the use of Stevia as a natural alternative increased dramatically. Steviaís usage has also increased due to the health concerns of Japanese consumers toward sucrose, related to dental caries, obesity and diabetes. By 1987, a total of 1700 metric tonnes of Stevia leaves were harvested to yield an estimated 190 tonnes of Stevioside extract. By 1988, extracts of Stevia had captured 41%, by value, of the Japanese high-potency sweetener market. Most of this material was processed through eleven major Stevia manufacturers who have collectively formed the Stevia Association of Japan.

Japanese food processors use Stevia in a wide variety of applications. The major usage is surprisingly with salty foods where Stevioside has been shown to suppress the pungency of sodium chloride. This combination is common to the Japanese diet in such foods as pickled vegetables, dried seafoods, soy sauce and miso products. It is also used in beverages, including (until recently) the Japanese version of Diet Coke. Stevia has also been used in candies and gums, baked goods and cereals, yogurt and ice cream, ciders and teas, and toothpastes and mouthwashes. Of course, a significant portion of Japanese Stevia is consumed directly as a tabletop sweetener.

[jessirose]

There was a very enlightening report done by 60 minutes about this!!!

I've been convinced for a long time that the FDA is more about $$$ than what is safe for people. For many more reasons than just this... As the FDA was about to list Stevia as a safe sweetener, NutraSweet paid them millions of dollars not to approve it.... since anyone can grow Stevia in their backyard, that would really hurt NutraSweet's billion dollar industry.

[Zuri]

I don't listen to a thing the FDA says. I've used stevia (powder) for yrs with no ill affects that I get from regular sugar or honey. Even though it tastes kinda like licorice I'd take that over the other sweeteners. Can you imagine the relieft most diabetics would feel if they learned about this herb or even agave for that matter?

[trinity082482]

LOL!!! I L-O-V-E everyone's opinion about the FDA!! Perfect ;)

[SharonC]

Quote:
This is so funny because the same FDA that bad mouths Stevia also allows cancer causing saccharin on the market and does not say a thing about it because they are in cahoots with the makers of it and Splenda and Equal. You can't believe a word out of the mouth of the FDA. They are a bunch of money hungry liars.

Stacie, ditto what you said so well!!

I am much more concerned about what the FDA claims is safe. These 2 articles are great explanations of the stevia issue...

http://healing.about.com/cs/uc_directory/a/uc_stevia_jones.htm

http://v.mercola.com/QA/Stevia-s-Safety-2074.aspx

[Green Life]

My HFS carries the stevia plant. One may purchase just a few green leaves off the potted living plant , or one may purchase the entire plant itself. I have purchased just the leaves, dehydrated them, and ground them up into a fine flour and have used it that way. Using it that way, it's surely raw. The flavour is more pungent and stronger.

lately, I just buy the Now brand Stevia.It's not raw, but a heck of a lot more convienient then the aforementioned. they process out the pugent, stong "earthly" flavour, so all you get is pure sweetness. It's delicious. Ive been using Stevia for almost 10 years on a daily basis, and have only found better health as a result. Less cavities to name one.

[Nurse in the Raw]

Stacie, ditto what you said so well!!

I am much more concerned about what the FDA claims is safe. These 2 articles are great explanations of the stevia issue...

http://healing.about.com/cs/uc_directory/a/uc_stevia_jones.htm

http://v.mercola.com/QA/Stevia-s-Safety-2074.aspx

I especially like the statement by the FDA that says, "stevia is safe in a capsule, but not in a tea, unless the tea is labeled as a dietary supplement"

The last time I checked my Anatomy book.....they both go to the same place. It makes the FDA look like a bunch of Morons.

[DianaH]

As far as I am concernerd, the FDA will parrot whatever the company who is lining their pockets the most wants them to say. Bleah, so much corruption there.

[jessirose]

Have you all noticed that nearly nothing natural is approved as safe by the FDA? It's because anything naturally occurring cannot be patented. That pretty much says it all. The FDA is a just an extension of the Big Pharmaceutical Companies, so they can have someone "credible" vauge for them, and the safety of their patents. I know there are some lifesaving miraculous drugs that science has created, and you have to do what you have to do, but we've had several bad experiences within our family.

[Shell]

I use stevia all the time.....I buy the liquid and the powder, so it's not raw, but I figure a little won't hurt! I'd love to get a plant though......
I agree with all of you......it's amazing what the FDA will approve as "safe"...I used to use and exorbitant amount of Splenda in my "dieting" days.....GAH! Knowing what I know now.....*shudder*....Although I'm not American, I can still appreciate your frustration and distaste!