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4 ways this sweetener beats back metabolic syndrome
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Are you one of the 47 million people (one in six) in the U.S. that suffers from metabolic syndrome?
You might be and not even know it…
That’s because metabolic syndrome is not a disease in itself, so many doctors are behind the times in both diagnosing and treating patients who suffer from it.
You see, instead of a disease, metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors — high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and abdominal fat.
Obviously, having any one of these risk factors isn’t good. But when they’re combined, they set the stage for serious problems.
In fact, these risk factors double your risk of blood vessel and heart disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. And, they increase your risk of diabetes by five times.
Luckily, new research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food is offering a sweet answer for those suffering from this syndrome… a calorie-free sugar alternative that has been shown to have anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycemic, antihypertensive, and anti-hyperlipidemic effects.
In other words, this sweet treat can help promote healthier weight, blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But first, let’s take a look at how you can determine whether or not you suffer from metabolic syndrome…
Do you have at least 3 of these risk factors?
There are five risk factors that make up metabolic syndrome:
- Cholesterol (High Triglycerides) – Either 150 mg/dL or higher or using a cholesterol medicine
- Cholesterol (Low HDL or “Good” Cholesterol) – Either for men: Less than 40 mg/dL or for women: Less than 50 mg/dL or using a cholesterol medicine
- High Blood Pressure – Either having blood pressure of 135/85 mm Hg or greater or using a high blood pressure medicine
- Blood Sugar (High Fasting Glucose Level) – 100 mg/dL or higher
- Large Waist Size – For men: 40 inches or larger or for women: 35 inches or larger
If you have at least three of these five risk factors, you have metabolic syndrome and are at high risk for developing both heart disease and diabetes.
The plant-based sweetener you should be using
Once you know that you do have metabolic syndrome, what is the sugar alternative that’s could help you combat the syndrome and reduce your risk of more deadly diseases?
The answer is stevia.
That’s right, that little packet of sweetener you use at Starbucks could actually help your body heal and beat metabolic syndrome.
That’s because according to researchers, the stevia rebaudiana plant has pharmacological and therapeutic activity, including effects that make it a natural alternative for treating obesity, hypertension and elevated levels of blood sugar and lipids, all disorders associated with metabolic syndrome.
In fact, the researchers went a step further to say that not only can stevia benefit you if you have metabolic syndrome, it can be a good alternative to the medications used to treat the syndrome as stevia has no side effects while the medications have many, including: lactic acidosis, metallic taste, and vitamin B12 deficiency.
With all that said, stevia really is a sweet answer to beating metabolic syndrome.
Here are a few ways you can use stevia each day:
- Coffee – Sweeten your coffee with liquid stevia drops. You can even buy flavored versions like pumpkin spice and hazelnut for a special treat.
- Tea – If you love sweet tea, swap out your sugar or chemical-based sweetener for stevia.
- Smoothies – To add extra sweetness to your smoothie, use a few drops of liquid stevia.
- Cinnamon Toast – For a special breakfast, use whole grain or protein bread, pat with butter and sprinkle on cinnamon and stevia then bake.
But be sure to look for 100% pure stevia containing no fillers. Avoid stevia (and monk fruit) products that may contain erythritol for bulk. Please read about the connection between erythritol and cardiovascular concerns.
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Sources:
- What Is Metabolic Syndrome? — WebMD
- Can stevia help treat metabolic syndrome? — American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni: A Natural Alternative for Treating Diseases Associated with Metabolic Syndrome — Journal of Medicinal Food