Stevia is a shrub native to certain regions of Paraguay and Brazil. It has been safely consumed by the natives of these regions for hundreds of years. Stevia is mainly used as a natural sweetener to replace white sugar, aspartame and other sweetening agents, without raising blood sugar levels. Stevia is calorie-free and does not affect dental health, unlike many sweeteners. Stevia is suitable for diabetics and those who watch their carbohydrate intake.