Stevia is a natural herbal sweetener that originates in northern South America, according to Drugs.com. Historically, the Guarani tribe of South America used stevia to sweeten tea. Stevia may help manage diabetes, normalize blood pressure and regulate heartbeat.Drugs.com reports that in December 2008, the FDA acknowledged that stevia is safe enough for use as a general purpose sweetener. Health risks are generally minor, but it is important to know the risks before trying any herbal sweeteners or sugar substitutes.
Digestion Problems
One of the potential health risk associated with stevia is digestion problems. According Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, stevia extract may cause nausea, bloating and stomach discomfort. These symptoms typically improve with continued use, but if the symptoms persist or worsen, discontinue the sweetener.
Allergic Reaction
If you have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to stevia or the daisy family, you should avoid using this sugar substitute. Stevia is a member of the daisy family, so if you are allergic to daisies, ragweed, marigolds and chrysanthemums you may experience an allergic reaction after ingesting this sweetener. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include wheezing, shortness of breath, sneezing, headache and itching.
Hypotension
You may experience low blood pressure after ingesting stevia. According to the MayoClinic.com, a small number of people may experience hypotension or a sudden drop in blood pressure after consuming stevia. If you take blood pressure medications you may be especially vulnerable to a sudden decrease in blood pressure due to the interaction between the blood pressure drugs and stevia, an herbal sweetener. If you develop hypotension, you may experience weakness, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, thirst and respiratory distress. If left untreated, hypotension may result in cardiovascular problems or brain damage.
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