What is stevia

What is stevia

Stevia is an intense sweet-tasting plant used to soften drinks and make tea since the 16th century. The plant is native to Paraguay and Brazil, but is also grown in Japan and China. It is used as a non-nutritive sweetener and as a herbal supplement. A non-nutritive sweetener is a sweetener containing little or no calories. Stevia is used as a healthy alternative to adding sugar to many foods and beverages. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the marketing of stevia as a food additive in 1987. Stevia regained its status as a sweet and sustainable food ingredient in 1995.