Extracted from stevia plants has numerous benefits as a sweetener: Stevioside is reportedly 250-300 times sweeter than sugar and contributes no calories to the diet, it is 100% natural, stable, contains no calories and promotes good dental health by reducing sugar intake. It can be used by diabetics, obese persons and patients suffering from phenylketonuria, an illness which requires a strict diet without artificial sweeteners such as aspartame.