Stevia also called sweetleaf, sweet leaf or sugarleaf. With its extracts having up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar, stevia has garnered attention with the rise in demand for low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternatives. Stevia also has shown promise in medical research for treating such conditions as obesity and high blood pressure. Stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose, even enhancing glucose tolerance, therefore it is attractive as a natural sweetener to diabetics and others on carbohydrate-controlled diets. Stevia sweeteners have been produced commercially in Japan since 1977 and are widely used in food products, soft drinks (including Coca Cola), and for table use. Japan currently consumes more stevia than any other country; it accounts for 40% of the sweetener market. Stevia is a good substitute for sucralose. For reasons of good health it's better to be aware of the dangers of sucralose. Splenda or sucralose, used as an artificial sweetener, can harm your health seriously in the long run. On the other hand, there are no such dangers of stevia. Stevia is really healthy and good for you. Stevia added to food will become a favorite, because it tastes good without the burden of added calories. Stevia never affects your blood sugar levels the way sugar does. It is non-toxic and enhances the flavor in your food. What's more, it prevents cavities in your teeth. Stevia recipes are particularly beneficial for those who suffer from hypoglycemia, diabetes, candida and other conditions where the physician rules out regular use of sugar as well as that of artificial sweeteners. So give it and try, and have fun adapting your favorite recipes, using stevia as an alternative sweetener.