Natural Medicine

» SRFoodGeek - Stevia question?

Love the articles on sugars! Do you know anything about how stevia impacts blood sugars and if type 2 diabetics can tolerate it? Most diabetics I work with use a lot of Splenda but I've read some horrible things about the effects of splenda. I'd like to offer healthier alternatives.

-- posted by SRFoodGeek

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» Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Stevia question?

In response to Stevia question? posted by SRFoodGeek:

Thanks for your comment.

Stevia has virtually no impact on blood sugar, so it is safe for most diabetics. I always recommend speaking with a doctor to be sure in particular cases, however.

...And of course, the impact on depends on what you combine it with: if you're baking a cake, the cake flour and other ingredients will have more impact on blood glucose levels than stevia will.

As for Splenda... stay tuned for my upcoming article on artificial sweeteners, "Sugars: The Ugly."

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» Barbara Nicholson Bell - Availability of Maple Syrup

In response to Stevia question? posted by OilsDragon:

Maple syrup and maple products are produced in 14 US states, so they are widely available in any grocery store. Here's a good source for additional information: Univ. of Minnesota extension service.

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» Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Availability of Maple Syrup

In response to Availability of Maple Syrup posted by bici:

You're right. I've edited the article to read "can be hard to find if you live outside North America" instead of saying "outside Canada."

Thanks for pointing that out, and for the link!

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» hansvr - Stevia question?

In response to Stevia question? posted by SRFoodGeek:

Iknow about stevia, yet nothing much of xylitol. Is agave available in South Africa? Thanks Hans.

-- posted by hansvr

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» Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Xylitol

In response to Stevia question? posted by hansvr:

I'm not very familiar with xylitol. What I can tell you, from preliminary research, is that it appears that most xylitol is produced from corn... and it's well-known that most corn grown today is a genetically modified crop.

The remainder of xylitol companies appear to be produce the sweetener from birch trees - which have become extraordinarily difficult to find pesticide-free (this is why almost no birch essential oil is truly "organic" any more).

I would be highly suspicious of the source for the ingredients used to make xylitol, as well as the processing.

I've also read that xylitol can be highly toxic to dogs: in canines, it's said to cause seizures, liver failure, and death. So watch how you use it! I'd hate to give someone a batch of xylitol cookies and have them feed a piece to the dog...

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