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Stevia

The leaves of the Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) plant produce extracts containing steviosides[?], which are up to 300 times sweeter than sucrose (ordinary table sugar).

In 1970 the Japanese began extracting the pure sweet powder from the leaf for testing and commercial use. Stevia sweeteners have been fully approved and are widely used in Japan since 1970 in food products and soft drinks and for table use.

Stevia is also fully approved and in use in Brazil, where it is also recommended for diabetics.

Although not approved as a food additive in the United States, it can be found in some dietary supplements.

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