What Is Stevia? Other Names: Azucacaa, Capim Doce, Stevia rebaudiana

What is Stevia?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Stevia, scientifically known as Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, is a plant native to South America, particularly Paraguay and Brazil. It has gained global recognition as a natural, non-nutritive sweetener that provides a sweet taste without the calories associated with traditional sugar. This article explores the properties, benefits, and potential health impacts of stevia based on recent scientific research. Other names include: Azucacaa, Caa-He-É, Ca-A-Jhei, Ca-A-Yupi, Capim Doce, Chanvre d’Eau, Eira-Caa, Erva Doce, Estevia, Eupatorium rebaudianum, Green Stevia, Kaa Jhee, Mustelia eupatoria, Paraguayan Stevioside, Plante Sucrée, Reb A, Rebaudioside A, Rébaudioside A, Rebiana, Stévia, Stevia eupatoria, Stevia Plant, Stevia purpurea, Stevia rebaudiana, Stevioside, Sweet Herb of Paraguay, Sweet Herb, Sweet Leaf of Paraguay, Sweetleaf, Yerba Dulce.

Properties of Stevia

Stevia is renowned for its sweet leaves, which contain compounds called steviol glycosides. These compounds are several times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar) but do not contribute calories, making stevia an attractive alternative for those looking to reduce sugar intake without sacrificing sweetness1 2 5.

Health Benefits of Stevia

Glycemic Control

Several studies have investigated the effects of stevia on blood glucose levels. Research indicates that stevia does not significantly affect glycemic and insulin responses in both healthy and obese individuals. For instance, a randomized controlled trial found that daily consumption of stevia did not alter glucose or insulin responses in healthy adults1 2. Another study confirmed that stevia does not affect acute glycemic and insulin responses in obese patients4.

Weight Management

Stevia has been shown to aid in weight maintenance and reduce energy intake. A 12-week trial demonstrated that participants consuming stevia experienced a significant reduction in energy intake and prevented weight gain compared to a control group1 2. Additionally, stevia consumption before meals was found to reduce appetite and total energy intake without affecting blood glucose levels5 7.

Antioxidant and Anti-Diabetic Properties

Stevia possesses antioxidant properties that can help mitigate oxidative stress. In diabetic rat models, stevia leaves and their extracts were found to reduce blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and protect against liver and kidney damage induced by diabetes3. These findings suggest that stevia could be beneficial in managing diabetes and its complications.

Potential Concerns of Stevia

Blood Pressure and Hormonal Effects

While stevia is generally considered safe, some studies have raised concerns about its effects on blood pressure and stress hormones. A study reported a slight increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and elevated cortisol levels following stevia consumption10. These findings suggest that individuals with hypertension or those sensitive to hormonal changes should consume stevia with caution.

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Adverse Effects of Stevia

Toxicological Effects in Diabetic Models

Uncontrolled consumption of stevia-based non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) showed significant deterioration in heart and kidney histopathology, as well as increased serum AST, LDH, and CK-MB levels in a type 2 diabetes rat model1.

Impact on Blood Pressure and Cortisol Levels

Short-term stevia intake led to a significant increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Additionally, it increased cortisol levels and the cortisol/cortisone ratio, suggesting potential inhibition of the 11β-HSD2 enzyme4.

Gut Microbiota and Dopamine Reward System

Long-term low-dose consumption of Rebaudioside A, a component of stevia, altered gut microbiota composition and reduced nucleus accumbens tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter mRNA levels, indicating potential impacts on the mesolimbic dopamine reward system7.

No Significant Impact on Glycemic and Insulin Responses

Stevia consumption did not significantly affect acute glycemic and insulin responses in obese patients during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)2.

In healthy adults, daily consumption of stevia did not affect glycemia but helped in weight maintenance and reduced energy intake5.

Stevia did not significantly alter fasting blood sugar, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), or lipid levels in type 2 diabetic patients8.

Appetite and Energy Intake

Stevia consumption prior to meals reduced appetite and total energy intake without affecting postprandial glucose levels or attentional bias to food cues in healthy adults6.

Another study found that stevia lowered appetite sensation but did not significantly affect overall food intake or postprandial glucose levels3.

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How has Stevia Improved Patient Outcomes?

Glycemic Control and Insulin Sensitivity

Stevia consumption has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity in diabetic animal models1 7. However, in human studies, the effects on acute glycemic and insulin responses were not significant2 9.

Weight Management and Energy Intake

Daily consumption of Stevia can help maintain body weight and reduce energy intake in healthy adults, suggesting its potential role in weight management6 10. However, short-term studies did not find significant changes in body weight or BMI5.

Antioxidant and Renal Protective Effects

Stevia has demonstrated antioxidant properties, reducing oxidative stress and protecting against liver and kidney damage in diabetic animal models1 3. These effects contribute to its potential in managing complications associated with diabetes.

Impact on Blood Pressure and Stress Hormones

Short-term Stevia consumption has been associated with a slight increase in blood pressure and cortisol levels, indicating a need for caution in long-term use5.

Reproductive Health

In diabetic animal models, Stevia improved sperm parameters, increased testosterone levels, and enhanced in vitro fertilization success, suggesting benefits for reproductive health7.

Safety and Toxicological Concerns

While Stevia is generally considered safe, uncontrolled consumption of commercially available Stevia-based sweeteners may have toxicological effects, particularly on heart and kidney health in diabetic models8.

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Stevia Mechanisms of Action

Impact on Gut Microbiota and Dopamine System

Stevia consumption alters gut microbiota composition and reduces nucleus accumbens tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter mRNA levels, indicating potential effects on the mesolimbic dopamine reward system1.

Antidiabetic and Pancreatic Protection

Stevia significantly reduces fasting blood sugar and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increases pancreatic weight and volume, and enhances the volume density of pancreatic islets and beta cells, suggesting protective and restorative effects on pancreatic cells in diabetic conditions2.

Stevia reduces fasting blood sugar, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and triglyceride levels, indicating improved insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in diabetic rats7.

Neuroprotective and Antiepileptic Effects

Stevia exhibits neuroprotective and antiepileptic actions by improving oxidative stress markers, downregulating inflammatory and apoptotic markers, and upregulating Sirt-1 and Bcl-2 in the hippocampus, suggesting involvement of the Sirt-1 pathway3.

Cardioprotective Effects

Stevia attenuates diabetic cardiomyopathy by reducing oxidative stress, fibrosis, apoptosis, and sympathetic overactivity, and upregulating Nrf2, indicating cardioprotective properties6.

Testicular Protection and Hormonal Effects

Stevia reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, necroptosis, and apoptosis in diabetic-induced testicular damage, and modulates the expression of key steroidogenesis enzymes and serum hormone levels, suggesting protective effects on reproductive health4 9.

Glycemic and Insulin Responses

Stevia does not significantly affect acute glycemic and insulin responses in obese patients, indicating it may be metabolically inert in the short term5.

Daily consumption of Stevia does not affect glycemia but may aid in weight maintenance and reduce energy intake in healthy adults8.

Appetite and Energy Intake

Stevia consumption prior to a meal reduces appetite and total energy intake without affecting glycemia or attentional bias to food cues, suggesting potential benefits for weight management10.

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Common Complaints Associated with Stevia Use

Potential Toxicological Effects

Uncontrolled consumption of commercially available stevia-based non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) has been associated with significant toxicological effects, including deterioration in heart and kidney histopathology, and increased serum levels of AST, LDH, and CK-MB in a type 2 diabetes rat model2.

Lack of Significant Antidiabetic Effect

Despite its popularity for antidiabetic potential, ad libitum consumption of stevia-based NNS did not show significant improvements in blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance, or serum insulin in diabetic rats2.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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