Cultivation of stevia as alternative to sugar in Rajshahi

April 20, 2024, 11:38 pm

Obaydul Islam Robi, Rajshahi

The scientific name is stevia Rebaudiana and Composite and it is a plant belonging to the family of sardines.

The plant is perennial and 60 to 75 cm. is long up to The leaf shape is umbellate, the flowers are white and the seeds are miniature. Stevia leaf extract is 250 to 300 times sweeter than sugar. In different countries of the world, its cultivation and use started from long ago, but its cultivation is new in our country. The soil and climate of our country is quite suitable for Stevia cultivation.

HS M Al-Amin, Senior Officer of Sugar Research Institute, said that experimental cultivation of stevia has started in Charghat Upazila and Kashidang and Shitla areas of Samprati Rajshahi. Initially, 1800 stevia seedlings have been planted on 900 square meters of land in the district. Mohammad Ali of Charghat upazila of the district has started cultivating this new possibility with his 3 century land.

In this regard, Mohammad Ali said that after completing MA in social science in 2016, he is trying to become a farmer entrepreneur. Present Upazila Agriculture Officer Al Mamun Hasan and Senior Sugar Research Officer HS M Al-Amin are cooperating throughout.

Incidentally, senior officer HS M Al-Amin told this newspaper's correspondent that stevia was brought from far away in Paraguay. Basically it is practiced in many countries of the world including China, Japan. Its cultivation has started in many districts of the present country. He hopes that its use will be widespread in a very short time.

Stevia grows best in loamy soils that are generally well-drained and well-fertilized. Stevia can also be grown in tubs on roofs or balconies with little sun. In this case, one third part of the tub should be mixed well with one part rotted cow dung dry manure and loam or sandy loam soil. Water should be given every day so that the water does not accumulate. Its leaves can be collected after 20-25 days of planting. After collection the leaves should be dried and powdered and stored in airtight polythene or bags. Can be used later if needed. Stevia leaves are great medicine for diabetic patients.

This increases insulin secretion and lowers blood sugar levels through the activation of pancreatic beta cells. Green and dried stevia leaves can be chewed directly or mixed with tea. Leaves can be dried and powdered and stored in bottles. Stevia is a beneficial herb that is well known in the world. This leaf is great medicine for diabetic patients. It is a herbaceous perennial plant. Which is known as natural sweetener. Stevia leaves are at least 30 times sweeter than sugar and the stevioside present in its leaves is many times sweeter (150 times) than sugar. But surprisingly, it has no calories. That is, where we get 4 calories from 1 gram of sucrose, calories from stevia will be zero. It is a natural but sugary and sweet-tasting alternative. Can be used in any conventional sweet-type food.

Stevia leaf or leaf powder or liquid can be consumed regularly in small amounts to avoid future diabetes and avoid the harmful effects of sugar. Stevia leaves contain various minerals, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Stevia helps regulate blood sugar and prevent high blood pressure. It supplies nutrients to the liver and spleen and helps release insulin from the pancreas. Diabetic patients can use stevia leaves or powder to prevent eye, kidney, lung disease and gangrene.
Green leaves can also be chewed. Stevia leaf powder (dust) / extract (liquid) can be consumed directly or mixed with tea or coffee. Stevia leaf powder can be used to make sweets or sweet treats. Soak dry leaves or leaf powder in little water and after 10 minutes mix with hot water and drink as herbal tea.

Benefits of stevia leaf, this leaf is at least 30 times sweeter than sugar, 30 times sweeter than sugar, surprisingly, it has no calories, no carbohydrates. Despite the extreme sweetness, the blood sugar level in the human body does not increase at all. Contains no aspartame, saccharin, sucralose or artificial sweeteners. As an alternative to harmful sugar, everyone, including diabetics, can eat it. Stevia leaves are great medicine for diabetic patients. Stevia leaf powder can be used to make sorbets, pies, sweet curds, cakes, puddings, ice creams, etc. Or soak fresh or dry leaves or its powder at night and drink that sweet water in the morning.

Fresh leaves or powder can be taken orally. Again fresh leaves can be eaten in any food; Like with tea/coffee or any other food. The leaves can be chopped and mixed in salad and eaten as a sweet drink instead of juice. For use with tea or coffee, pour a quarter of a teaspoon of stevia powder into a teacup, stir with a spoon and cover the teacup with a cheesecloth for 2/3 minutes. After that, stir again with a teaspoon and drink. Use more or less powder to make it sweeter. Soak dry leaves or leaf powder in little water and after 10 minutes mix with hot water and drink as herbal tea.

Diabetic patients can eat sweets made from leaf powder. No side effects of this long-used medicinal plant have been found so far. In Japan, stevia is used in the soft drink Coca-Cola. It is also used as an alternative to sugar in various food products including confectionery, candies. Stevia is used worldwide in tea and coffee. Stevia can easily be grown in tubs or pots at home. But plant tubs should be placed on a sunny balcony or terrace. Small seedlings of stevia produced by tissue culture can be planted year-round in well-drained loam soil or in 8- to 10-inch pots of soil mixed with loam and compost. The leaves can be collected after 25 to 30 days of planting. After 25 to 30 days of flowering, the upper part of the plant gradually dries up. Later many seedlings emerge from the base of the plant and after 20 to 25 days the leaves can be collected again.

The special function of stevia is to control diabetes and blood sugar, prevent high blood pressure or hypertension, provide nutrients to the liver, pancreas and spleen, stevioside helps release insulin from the pancreas, heals skin wounds and prevents tooth decay, various types of harmful bacteria suppresses, aids in food digestion, prevents obesity as stevia has no calories, helps to reduce body weight, can be used as a substitute for sugar in sweet foods, increases the quality and aroma of food, creates a sense of health and freshness in the body.

It acts as a bactericidal agent. Prevents tooth decay. Acts as a skin care, thus enhancing the skin's softness and suppleness. Stevia is also in high demand as a flavor enhancer. Stevia can be used in tea, coffee, sweets, cakes, bakery food, ice cream, soft drinks and other such food products. Can also be used to make medicine. Its herbal ingredients do not cause any side effects in the human body. Stevia leaves are at least 30 times sweeter than sugar and the stevioside present in its leaves is many times sweeter (150 times) than sugar. Everyone in the family can eat this sugar. Stevia is a sugar substitute for diabetics.

Diabetic patients can eat sweets made from leaf powder. No side effects of this long-used medicinal plant have been found so far. In Japan, stevia is used in the soft drink Coca-Cola. It is also used as a substitute for sugar in various food products including confectionery, candies. Stevia is used worldwide in tea and coffee. Stevia can easily be grown in tubs or pots at home. However, plant tubs should be placed on a sunny balcony or terrace. Small seedlings of stevia produced by tissue culture can be planted year-round in well-drained loam soil or in 8- to 10-inch pots of soil mixed with loam and organic manure. The leaves can be collected after 25 to 30 days of planting. After 25 to 30 days of flowering, the upper part of the plant gradually dries up. Later many seedlings emerge from the base of the plant and after 20 to 25 days the leaves can be collected again.

Stevia leaves are used to make tea, coffee, sweets, yogurt, baked food, ice cream, soft drinks etc. It is used in making medicine. Green and dried stevia leaves can be chewed directly or mixed with tea. Leaves can be dried and powdered and stored in bottles. Diabetic patients can eat sweets made from leaf powder. No side effects of this long-used medicinal plant are known. Used in the soft drink Coca-Cola in Japan. Besides, it is used as an alternative to sugar in various foods including confectionery, candies. The use of stevia in tea and coffee is worldwide.

Best of all, stevia does not contain aspartame, saccharin, sucralose or artificial sweeteners. Stevia contains no carbohydrates or calories. So it is the best natural alternative to sugar for diabetics. It also contains natural chemicals that kill bacteria and viruses. And the benefit is that this calorie-free sweet does not change blood glucose levels when consumed by diabetics. Prevents high blood pressure. Provides nutrients to liver, pancreas and spleen. Stevioside helps release insulin from the pancreas. Heals skin wounds and prevents tooth decay. Suppresses various types of harmful bacteria including E. coli. Aids in digestion of food.

Stevia prevents obesity as it has no calories. Helps in reducing body weight. Can be used as a substitute for sugar in sweet foods. Increases the quality of food and brings aroma.

Creates a feeling of well-being and freshness. Acts as a bactericidal agent. Acts as a skin care agent, thereby enhancing the skin's softness and beauty. Acts as a flavor enhancer.