Stevia Extract Side Effects

Stevia is known as the sweet leaf of Paraguay for good reason. The leaves of the stevia plant have substances that are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar, yet do not raise blood sugar levels. The Federal Drug Administration has declared stevia "generally recognized as safe," which means companies can sell foods sweetened with stevia in the United States. Its side effects and interactions are not well-documented, according to the Mayo Clinic, but a few are known.

Mild Effects

When you use stevia as a sweetener or as a supplement in moderate doses, you might experience mild side effects. These include a feeling of fullness and nausea, advises the Mayo Clinic.

Blood Pressure

Stevia can have an effect on blood pressure, according to "The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide," by George T. Grossberg and Barry Fox. If you take blood pressure drugs, you need to use stevia under a doctor's supervision or avoid it because you raise your risk of hypotension, meaning extremely low blood pressure.

Diabetes Drug Interaction

If you are diabetic and take drugs for this condition, you should be cautious when using stevia, according to the Mayo Clinic. It may raise risk of hypoglycemia, meaning your blood sugar levels can fall too low.

Pregnancy

Do not use stevia if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, advises the American Pregnancy Association. This is a case of it's better safe than sorry. Information on whether stevia is safe or not for pregnant women is lacking, according to Drugs.com.