The FDA has declared the sweetener rebaudioside A - an extract of the Stevia herb - 'GRAS' - Generally Recognized As Safe; giving the go-ahead for its use in commercial beverages and foods as an alternative to sugar. Stevia has been in legal limbo since 1991 - unable to be used as a commercial sweetener but legal to be sold as a sugar replacement in products marketed as "dietary supplements".

Stevia doesn't carry with it the health concerns associated with aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal) and sucralose (Splenda), making it an excellent alternative as it calorie-free. Some recent studies have even found that Stevia may improve the body's sensitivity to insulin - the opposite of the processes involved in metabolic syndrome associated with diabetes - making it particularly interesting as an aide in the fight against obesity.

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