Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the plant withthe same name. The Stevia rebaudiana plant has been known in South America for over 1500 years. For hundreds of years, the leaves of this herb have been used in Brazil and Paraguay to sweeten local teas and medicines, and as a sweet treat. In the 30s of the last century, French chemists isolated and extracted a substance called steviol from the leaves of this plant. Steviol differs from stevia in that it is a highly purified concentrated substance.
It has 0 calories, 0 carbs, does not raise blood sugar and does not harm teeth