Stevioside: Natural sweetener gets safety nod from Belgium group

Sweet chemistry: Symposium explores sugar alternatives, science of taste:
Erekalert.org -- 3/27/2006
"Stevioside is a natural non-caloric sweetener derived from the South American shrub Stevia rebaudiana that has been used to sweeten food and beverages for centuries. Now, based on a comprehensive review of research, a group of scientists in Belgium say that there is abundant evidence that stevioside, which is 300 times sweeter than sugar, is not only safe but may prove to be a potent weapon against obesity and type 2 diabetes. (AGFD 168, Thursday, March 30, 10:28 a.m.)"