There are a lot of sweeteners on the market out there that do more harm than good.
Some acceptable sweeteners are agave syrup, raw organic honey (locally produced is even better), or maple syrup.
Stevia is an herb that grows as a small shrub. It is incredibly sweet due to the glycosides in its leaves. Some of the benefits of Stevia can be management of obesity, since it has been shown to affect blood glucose, and it may help lower high blood pressure. The dangers that are beind posted on the web, such as reproductive difficulties, cancer, and energy metabloism, are all from studies done with very large quantities – much more than any human could or would consume. Like any herb, you must use sparingly, not in large doses. One other note: when buying Stevia, look for 100% Stevia extract with no additives.
We do not recommend Splenda because it is a chlorinated artificial sweetener. You can Google “what is Splenda” and find out more about how it is developed.
If you are looking for an alternative to sugar because you are pre-diabetic, the best thing you can do is to train your body to eat hot spicy food, rather than sugar, to help balance your insulin and improve your circulation.
For some great recipes that use natural sweetners, get a copy of the small cookbook Simple and Delicious: Recipes for Vitality.