Stevia (botanical name Stevia rebaudiana) is a plant species originating from Brazil and Paraguay. It contains a substance called stevioside or steviol, which has many times the sweetening power of sugar.

The sweet taste of its leaves has been known for centuries to the indigenous people of South America who use it as a natural sweetener. The leaves of the plant and the sweeteners derived from it have multiple sweetness compared to sugar, do not provide energy (calories), and do not contain carbohydrates.

Sweeteners derived from stevia provide zero calories and can be an option for people who want to reduce or maintain their weight. Studies have shown that sweeteners with few or zero calories can contribute to weight control by reducing the caloric content of the diet while maintaining pleasure in the diet.

Stevia sweeteners do not contain carbohydrates and do not affect blood glucose, so they can be consumed by people with diabetes. They also do not provide energy (calories) and can contribute to the reduction or maintenance of normal weight, a very important factor for controlling diabetes and its complications.