Stevia - what is it?

[mimi dunleavy]

I read some stuff onthe internet about Stevia and also a fewmentions here. I am not sure what it is exactly and is it safe for kids. I know a lot of artifical sweeteners are not good for kids, but is that the same with Stevia?

[Tracey]

In general, Stevia is an all-natural herbal product with centuries of safe usage by native Indians in Paraguay. It has been thoroughly tested in dozens of tests around the world and found to be completely non-toxic. It has also been consumed safely in massive quantities for the past twenty years.

Stevia can replace sugar in the diet. Refined sugar is virtually devoid of nutritional benefits and, at best, represents empty calories in the diet. At worst, it has been implicated in numerous degenerative diseases. Stevia is much sweeter than sugar and has none of sugar's unhealthy drawbacks.