There is one potentially serious problem with Stevia. It functions like a
calcium channel blocker, lowering blood pressure. This can be quite
dangerous for those who already take blood pressure medications, driving
pressures lower. One would also think this is potentially fatal to those
with low blood pressure condition.

That said, Stevia tastes great. But it is not without side effects. Use
in moderation.

"pearl" > wrote in
:

> "Gene Haywood" > wrote in message
> om...
>> The sugar in chocolate is probably more harmful than the saturated
>> fat. Most of the saturated fat in dark chocolate is of a harmless
>> type. Drink that low fat cocoa beverage with sugar and much of the
>> health value is negated. Perhaps stevia could be used as a sweetener.
>
> The FDA & Stevia
>
> While the American public has waited in vain for a safe artificial
> sweetener to be developed, citizens of certain other countries have
> for years -- in some cases, for centuries -- enjoyed a safe, natural
> sweetener that is virtually calorie-free and to which many other
> health benefits have been attributed. This miracle sweetener is a
> South American herb called Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni -- commonly
> known simply as stevia, estimated to be some 150 to 400 times
> sweeter than sugar. .....'
>