Stevia, Not Your Average Sugar Substitute.

Most of us are aware that sugar substitutes, while containing little to no calories, are not any better than typical table sugar. Sometimes their effects on our bodies can even be worse. But, can Stevia be lumped in with the others?

Consider 3 clips from popular media versus what the research says:

Claims:

  • Stevia can cause stress as body tries to level blood sugar.
  • Stevia lowers fertility rate in rats eating large amounts.
  • Stevia can alter your taste buds.

Claims:

  • Stevia raises cortisol, stresses body
  • Hypoglycemia – low blood sugar
  • Can cause thyroid issues
  • Addictive
  • Alters taste buds
  • Affects hormones

Is stevia actually a healthier alternative to sugar?

Claims:

  • It can alter DNA – mutagenic.

What the research says:

  • Stevia rebaudiana is a plant. Stevioside is the crystalline compound we see in sweeteners and it comes from this plant (Goyal & Goyal, 2010).
  • Stevia has been used since ancient times, particularly by Paraguayan Guarani people (Goyal & Goyal 2010).
  • It can even be used as herbal medicine with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties (Goyal & Goyal, 2010).
  • It is beneficial for people with diabetes, those with PKU, and those attempting to lose weight, as it helps to control blood sugar (Goyal & Goyal, 2010).
  • It is not mutagenic (Goyal & Goyal, 2010).
  • It is not absorbed by the digestive system into the blood stream (Goyal & Goyal, 2010).
  • Ingestion of Stevia rebaudiana can actually reduce blood sugar (Lemus-Mondaca, Vega-Galvez, Zura-Bravo & Ah-Hen, 2012).
  • Stevioside has been used in the treatment of cancer (Lemus-Mondaca et al., 2012).
  • No effect on fertility in rats or mice (Lemus-Mondaca et al., 2012).
  • Stevia leaf extract can stimulate the immune system (Thomas & Glade, 2010).
  • It can help prevent dental caries when sugar intake is reduced by substituting with stevia (Thomas & Glade, 2010).
  • Can help ease effects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) (Thomas & Glade, 2010).
  • Non-toxic (Thomas & Glade, 2010).
  • Recommended over sucrose and fructose as sweetener of choice (Thomas & Glade, 2010).

Considering these findings, it’s safe to say stevia is not the same as other sweeteners. Those who are managing diabetes and other conditions in which blood sugar is a factor can benefit from the use of stevia.

References

Goyal, S. K., & Goyal, R. K. (2010). Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) a bio-sweetener: a review. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. DOI: 10.3109/09637480903193049

Lemus-Mondaca, R., Vega-Gálvez, A., Zura-Bravo, L., & Ah-Hen, K. (2012). Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, source of a high-potency natural sweetener: A comprehensive review on the biochemical, nutritional and functional aspects. Food Chemistry, 132(3), 1121-1132. Doi: 10.1016

Thomas, J. E., & Glade, M. J. (2010). Stevia: it’s not just about calories. benefits, 35, 36. Retrieved from https://benthamopen.com/contents/pdf/TOOBESJ/TOOBESJ-2-101.pdf on Nov 1, 2017.