On the Spotlight!

The country has been undergoing a sugar shortage for the past few months, causing sugar prices to soar. The price surge of this kitchen staple has affected the purchasing power of Filipinos, who are already having difficulty coping with inflation. Given how sugar is a key ingredient in most dishes, many people have struggled to make their lives and dishes sweeter. Fortunately, there’s a healthy alternative that can help solve Filipinos’ sugar woes. Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It is 300 times sweeter than sugar but has zero calories and does not cause spikes in blood sugar levels. It is better than chemical-based artificial sweeteners because it does not have any aftertaste or carry potential health risks. This wonder plant can be used for baking, as a food enhancer for cooking, and to sweeten hot and cold drinks without guilt. What’s great about Stevia is how it sweetens food and beverages naturally, unlike sugar which has...

  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 m...