Stevia is a shrub native to Paraguay, used for over 1500 years by the native Guarani Indians. A herb with an abundance of positive effects. The whole leaf contains numerous phytonutrients and trace minerals and is much sweeter than sugar without the negative effects generally associated with sugar and artificial sweeteners. This all natural sweetener can be used without adding calories or carbohydrates, causing no tooth decay and rates zero on the glycemic index.

How such a little plant caused such controversy and lead to it being under such harsh scrutiny is not only a testament to the strong-hold sugar, aspartame and other sweeteners had on the market, but it also speaks volumes to the true worth and value of stevia. From past book burning to currently a well-known sweetener in the mainstream market, stevia has come a long way.