Two Fort Valley State University (FVSU) researchers are investigating ways to help local farmers grow a naturally sweet plant that could have a huge impact on human health.
According to Steven Samuels, “Stevia possesses anti-inflammatory properties and is an all-around health additive that we are going to use as a sweetener. It is non-caloric, so it does not cause weight gain. By having this as a product that we produce and promote, it may change the way people diet.”
NIFA supports this project through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) program.
Read the full article at the FVSU.
Contact: Steven Samuels at (478) 825-3134 or steven.samuels@fvsu.edu, or Bipu Biswas at (478) 825-6827 or biswasb@fvsu.edu.
Want to read about more impacts like this? Check out Fresh from the Field, a weekly bulletin showcasing transformative impacts made by grantees funded by NIFA.