A HEALTHY SUGAR ALTERNATIVE

If you are diabetic and need to satisfy your sweet tooth, here is a sweet leaf that can do the needful

Stevia rebaudiana bertoni is a perennial shrub of the asteraceae family that is popularly known as honey-leaf, sweet-leaf, or Madhuparni. A boon for diabetics, this natural sweetener has zero calories, zero carbohydrates and zero glycemic index. So if you crave sweets but diabetes prevents you from satisfying it, these leaves are 30 times sweeter than sugar and will take care of your sweet tooth. They are also rich in minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients, proteins and fibre and can be used in cooking and baking as well. It can be a substitute to artificial sweeteners like saccharin and cyclamate. It activates the beta cells of pancreas to secrete more insulin and increases glucose tolerance in diabetic patients. 
Health benefits 
It can improve digestion and prove to be beneficial for an upset stomach Another importanthealth benefit is that it has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties Stevia can also contribute to stablisation of blood sugar allowing those who are currently insulin dependent to eventually not need treatment for high blood sugar levels and inhibit candidiasis - a yeast infection that flourishes with sugar It contributes to lowering blood pressure 
Suggested use 
When having tea or coffee add 6-7 leaves instead of sugar. In case you need to make a concentrated syrup, add 50gms of Stevia leaves to two litres of water and boil until the water is reduced to 1.5 litres. Filter the leaves, and cool the water, which can be used in place of sugar syrup.