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Defeat Diabetes Foundation

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Nutrition News
By Barbara Quinn, MS, RD, CDE

Questions about Stevia

What is Stevia?

Stevia (stevioside) is extracted from the leaves of Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni---a plant indigenous to South America. Natives call it “sweet herb” or “herb of sugar” because of the sweet taste its leaves impart to foods and beverages.

Is it safe?

Stevia has been used as a commercial sweetener in Japan and Brazil for more than 20 years. Not so in the United States…or Canada…or the European Union, however. These countries conclude there are still “unresolved concerns” about the safety of Stevia as a food additive.

In particular, the US Food and Drug Administration states there is not enough evidence for Stevia to be approved as a non-nutritive sweetener. Studies on rats have shown that high doses of Stevia may negatively affect reproductive organs. Other animal studies have created concern that large amounts of Stevia may promote cancer-causing substances or interfere with the conversion of carbohydrates to energy.

That is why Stevia is only marketed in the United States as a “dietary supplement” a designation over which the FDA has little control.

Should you use Stevia if you have diabetes?

Until more evidence comes forth, you will need to draw you own conclusions:

A recent study on patients with type 2 diabetes showed that 1 gram of Stevia a day helped lower blood glucose levels.
To date, no allergic reactions to Stevia have been reported.
Some studies have shown Stevia to have a blood pressure lowering effect.
Moderation is the key. No ill effects have been reported when Stevia is used in moderate amounts.

Sources: Metabolism, Vol 53, No. 1, January, 2004, pp. 73-76. Other information is referenced in the Position paper from the American Dietetic Association "Use of nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners," accessible through www.eatright.org and search for Position Papers.