Stevia is an herb that grows wild as a shrub in South America. The leaves of the Stevia plant contain glycosides, including 10 percent stevioside, which provides its sweetness. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), it has been used for centuries by natives of Paraguay and Brazil to sweeten their stimulant beverages.
The Facts
Stevioside is the main extract in stevia and it is calorie free. Steviosides are 200 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar. Stevia leaves are 10 to 15 times sweeter than table sugar and are very low in calories.
Author David Richard says raw stevia contains close to 100 phytonutrients and volatile oils, although benefits are not as great because of the small quantity typically consumed.
Usage
Since the early 1970s, Japanese companies have used stevia to sweeten foods. The FDA approved the use of stevia in December 2009. Consequently, it has been added to drinks like Sprite Green and SoBe Lifewater.
Its primary use is to sweeten coffee and tea. Using stevia over sugar or sugar substitutes is a personal preference. Those suffering from diabetes or looking to lose weight may benefit from sugar substitutes in their diet. Stevia does have similar side effects as other sugar substitutes, including a strong aftertaste, bloating and gas.
Dangers
Stevia is typically used in small quantities to sweeten beverages, which poses no obvious harm to consumers. However, scientists worry that if stevia is used by global companies such as Coca-Cola or Pepsi, consumption may increase and potentially cause dangerous side effects. Both companies have developed their own stevia products, Truvia and PureVia, respectively.
According to CSPI, European scientists have found that stevioside reduces sperm production and could cause infertility in males. In addition, the effect of stevia on the female reproductive system remains unresolved.
CSPI also reports that large amounts of stevioside consumption has been shown to interfere with the absorption of carbohydrates in animals. Moderate use (one to two times per day) is considered to be safe. More research on the effects of stevia is needed to determine long-term health effects.
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