Glorious,
popularly known as the country’s first
Stevia company, is positive on its outlook despite almost 2-years in the
pandemic as more and more people turn to healthier alternatives, sales of
stevia products continue to grow.
According to agribusiness finance giant Rabobank,
Stevia's sales are expected to hit $700 million worldwide in the next few
years.
Consumers in the Philippines can now get their
calorie-free sugar needs from natural alternatives. Before, stevia was
restricted to the health food market without any FDA approval. Recently, it is
now widely used as a natural substitute for artificial sweeteners in many
products.
“Stevia
has been touted as a safe and healthy sugar substitute with proven health
benefits. It can sweeten foods, and it has several health benefits, including
decreased calorie intake, lower blood sugar levels, and less risk of cavities,”
said Maura De Leon, the woman behind Glorious, the country’s first stevia
grower and manufacturer.
While it has zero calories, stevia is 200 times sweeter
than refined sugar and does not affect blood sugar. It is a popular option for
people looking to lose weight but who want to reduce their sugar intake.
Stevia
is an herb that has been grown in tropical climates for centuries. It is a small
bushy plant that belongs to the sunflower family and grows in Paraguay and Brazil, but it can be
quickly grown elsewhere. For centuries, the people of Paraguay add them to
their foods as sweeteners, and countries like Korea, Brazil, China, Japan, and
South America, have long used stevia.
Stevia products such as teas, juices, healthy coffees, chocolate beverages and natural
sweeteners, manufactured by Glorious, are approved safe by the Food and Drug Association (FDA) even for
people who have diabetes.
“Stevia
is much sweeter than sugar, so you don't have to add much. It’s good to note
that the Philippines is also catching up on the use of this natural sweetener
in various food preparations,” added De Leon.
Stevia is a natural sweetener taken from the leaves of
a bushy shrub. The Stevia plant or (Stevia
rebaudiana) has 150 species known to have originated from North and
South America. Currently, it is produced by lots of countries, with China as
the number one exporter of stevia products, and can be purchased at garden
centers for home growing.
People who have diabetes can benefit from stevia.
Choosing pure stevia extract can help maintain normal blood sugar levels and
should be used in moderation. Stevia can also help cut down added sugar
consumption, which can be beneficial for children. High sugar intake in
children could lead to heart disease due to reconstructing triglyceride and
cholesterol levels, contributing to children's weight gain. Substituting added
sugar for stevia can minimize these risks. At the same time, moderate
consumption of foods with stevia and other sweeteners can prevent adverse side
effects and promote overall health.
What’s even better is that you can add Stevia to make
healthy desserts which are diabetic and keto friendly. This is great for people
who have a sweet tooth but can’t indulge because of health restrictions.
Incidentally, all Glorious Blend beverages— from the
3-in-1, 5-in-1, 7-in-1 mixes, use Stevia which has no calories, no
carbohydrates, and zero glycemic index. All of their instant drinks will keep
you alert and energized throughout the day.
For more information about Glorious, the Stevia
Company, check out https://gidc.com.ph/.
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