Is stevia safe for consumption?

Introduction

Stevia, a natural non-nutritive sweetener derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, has gained popularity as a sugar substitute due to its zero-calorie content and high sweetness potency. With increasing concerns about obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders, stevia is often considered a healthier alternative to sugar. However, its safety and potential health effects remain subjects of ongoing research.

Key Insights

Glycemic Control and Weight Management
- Stevia consumption does not significantly affect glycemia or insulin responses in healthy individuals, but it may aid in weight maintenance and reduce energy intake .
- In animal studies, stevia did not significantly alter glucose metabolism or weight gain, although it did affect gut microbiota composition.
Appetite and Energy Intake
- Stevia can reduce appetite and total energy intake when consumed before meals, without affecting blood glucose levels.
Blood Pressure and Stress Hormones
- Short-term stevia intake may cause a slight increase in blood pressure and cortisol levels, suggesting potential caution for long-term use.
Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Effects
- Stevia consumption can alter gut microbiota composition, which may have implications for metabolic health, particularly in populations with dysbiosis .
Safety and Regulatory Status
- Stevia is generally considered safe by several food regulatory authorities, with an acceptable daily intake of 4 mg/kg body weight/day .
- Long-term safety data are limited, and some studies suggest potential adverse effects on metabolism and organ health in animal models.

Conclusion

Overall, stevia appears to be a safe and effective sugar substitute for short-term use, particularly for glycemic control and weight management. However, its long-term effects, especially on blood pressure, stress hormones, and gut microbiota, warrant further investigation. Consumers should adhere to recommended intake levels to avoid potential adverse effects.

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Is stevia safe for consumption?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Daily Consumption of Stevia Drops Effects on Glycemia, Body Weight and Energy Intake: Results from a 12-Week, Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Adults

Daily consumption of stevia drops does not affect glycemia in healthy normal-weight individuals, but may aid in weight maintenance and moderation of energy intake.

Effects of the Daily Consumption of Stevia on Glucose Homeostasis, Body Weight, and Energy Intake: A Randomised Open-Label 12-Week Trial in Healthy Adults

Daily stevia consumption does not affect blood sugar levels in healthy adults, but may aid in weight maintenance and reduce energy intake.

Low-Dose Stevia (Rebaudioside A) Consumption Perturbs Gut Microbiota and the Mesolimbic Dopamine Reward System

Low-dose stevia consumption alters gut microbiota composition and reduces dopamine reward system activity, but does not affect glucose metabolism or weight gain.

Stevia Beverage Consumption prior to Lunch Reduces Appetite and Total Energy Intake without Affecting Glycemia or Attentional Bias to Food Cues: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Adults.

Stevia beverage consumption prior to lunch reduces appetite and total energy intake without affecting blood glucose or attentional bias to food cues in healthy adults.

Effect of Stevia Consumption on Blood Pressure, Stress Hormone Levels and Anthropometrical Parameters in Healthy Persons

Short-term stevia intake slightly increased blood pressure and had no significant effect on body weight or BMI, possibly due to increased cortisol levels.

Stevia Leaf to Stevia Sweetener: Exploring Its Science, Benefits, and Future Potential.

Stevia, a plant-based, zero-calorie sweetener, offers potential health benefits and is safe for use in sugar- and calorie-reduced food and beverage products.

A review of stevia as a potential healthcare product: Up-to-date functional characteristics, administrative standards and engineering techniques

Stevia shows therapeutic benefits as a sugar substitute for managing chronic diseases, with potential adverse effects on metabolic health.

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni and Its Effects in Human Disease: Emphasizing Its Role in Inflammation, Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Syndrome

Stevia shows potential benefits against inflammation, carcinogenesis, atherosclerosis, glucose control, and hypertension, with potential links to weight change and cancer prevention.

1621-P: Commercially Available Stevia-Based Sweetener, Antidiabetic or Toxic—An Ad Libitum Feeding Study in a Type 2 Diabetes Model of Rat

Uncontrolled consumption of stevia-based non-nutritive sweeteners has no significant antidiabetic effect but may have some toxicological effects in an animal model of type 2 diabetes.

Safety and efficacy of health supplement (Stevia rebaudiana)

Stevia rebaudiana is considered safe for use as a sugar substitute in patients with diabetes, but long-term health risks remain unclear.

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