User:Sara Babar

Stevia As a Natural Sweetener:

The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity in developing countries has spurred a search for healthier sugar alternatives. Stevia, a no-calorie sweetener with a low glycemic index, offers potential benefits for individuals with pre-diabetes, diabetes, and hypertension, but its acceptance in Malaysia remains low. An exploratory study conducted at UniKL RCMP evaluated the impact of stevia on taste, satiety, hunger, sugar cravings, and acceptance among clinical students and faculty. Participants used commercial stevia products in their morning drinks for a week, with data collected through surveys and analyzed using SPSS. The results indicated that most participants liked the taste of stevia and viewed it as a suitable sugar substitute, although there were no significant changes in satiety or sugar cravings. Acceptance was primarily influenced by taste and perceived health benefits. Further research is suggested to assess long-term effects and broader consumer preferences, particularly focusing on cost, availability, and promotion. Another related study examined the emotional impact of tea sweetened with nutritive (sugar) and non-nutritive (sucralose, stevia) sweeteners under acute stress. The findings showed that sugar-sweetened tea increased calmness in stressed participants, a reaction not observed with teas sweetened with sucralose, stevia, or left unsweetened. Despite similar perceived sweetness levels, the overall preference for sugar-sweetened tea decreased under stress, unlike for teas with non-nutritive sweeteners or unsweetened teas. The calming effect of sugar-sweetened tea is attributed to its caloric content and activation of food reward pathways, emphasizing the unique emotional benefits of sugar during stress. These results highlight the need for further investigation into the psychological effects of various sweeteners, providing important insights for dietary guidelines and stress management strategies.