Well, we do have such a substance, and it s available from herbalists and at health food stores. This wonderful, little known herb is called stevia. Stevia Rebaudiana is an herb that grows wild in Paraguay and Brazil. It has been thoroughly tested around the world and found to be completely non-toxic. It has been used to sweeten foods and beverages for centuries.
Stevia is a safe, all-natural alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners.
When tested by Purdue University s Dental Science Research Group, they concluded that stevioside is both fluoride compatible and significantly inhibits the development of plaque, thus stevia may actually help to prevent cavities . Raw stevia contains a wealth of phytonutrients and volatile oils. However, the nutritional benefits are minimal considering the quantity that is typically consumed. Since the extracts are more refined, they will contain even less. So you can t expect to get nutritional benefit from stevia, but unlike refined sugar, stevia won t drain the body of important nutrients.