Stevia Warnings

Stevia is a plant belonging to the sunflower family and known for its sweet leaf. Stevia extracts have a sweetness that can be 300 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia has an insignificant impact on blood glucose levels, lending itself to use in many low carbohydrate and low sugar diets. While no long term studies in humans have been conclusive on the effects or dangers of stevia, studies have shown some effects in animals. The World Health Organization's Joint Experts Committee on Food Additives has agreed, based on long-term studies, an acceptable ingestion of stevia is up to 4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding are advised by some physicians to avoid the use of stevia to remain on the safe side, due to the lack of information available on its effects. The World Health Organization has concluded, after a 2006 review of all recent studies, that the use of stevia did not show negative effects on any of the animals involved in the studies.

Allergies

Individuals with allergies to ragweed and associated plants may want to avoid stevia as it has the potential to cause an allergic reaction. Associated plants may be marigolds, daisy, chrysanthemums, ragweed, and other plants in the Asteraceae/ Compositae family.

Blood Pressure

Some inconclusive evidence exists concerning the effects of stevia on blood pressure. Information exists that suggests individuals with low blood pressure may want to be careful consuming stevia and products containing stevia as it can lower blood pressure even further, causing unwanted effects. The World Health Organization review of stevia studies concluded that there was some evidence of pharmacological effects on blood pressure, but more research was needed.

Blood Sugar

The World Health Organization review of stevia studies concluded that some evidence exists of pharmacological effects on blood sugar, but more research is needed. Individuals with diabetes should not use stevia as a sole treatment and should continue to monitor blood glucose levels.