Being health-conscious does not have to mean eschewing all artificial sweeteners. Stevia is an artificial sweetener that can be used in place of sugar or saccharine substitutes and has beneficial health properties. Although it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, individuals on any medications should consult a health care provider prior to consuming stevia to avoid any adverse medication interactions.
History
The Stevia rebaudiana plant originated in Paraguay and has leaves that have been used for centuries as a natural sweetener by the Guarani Indians, says stevia.com. Europeans discovered the stevia plant in the 16th century, but North American researchers did not start exploring the plant until the 20th century, according to Drugs.com. The chemicals that cause the plant's sweetness, called glycosides, were discovered in 1931, and at the end of 2008, the FDA approved the glycoside called rebaudioside A for use as a commercial sweetener, says Drugs.com.
Features
The quality of stevia leaves may differ due to environmental or geographical factors, storage and farming practices, says Stevia.com. There are also different species of stevia plants, with Chinese stevia plants being the poorest quality leaves. According to Washington State University, stevia is 20 to 30 times sweeter than refined sugar; putting one stevia leaf into tea is comparable to one lump of sugar, and two tablespoons of ground stevia leaves can be as sweet as a whole cup of sugar. The leaves also contain fiber, iron, phosphorus, proteins, calcium, zinc and vitamin C. Stevia.com says these leaves are calorie-free, and the sweetener does not affect blood sugar, so diabetics can consume stevia.
Function
In addition to its use as a sweetener, stevia has numerous other health benefits. According to Stevia.com, the sweetener helps regulate blood sugars and lowers blood pressure, and can even reduce cravings for sweet and fatty foods. After taking 10 to 15 drops of stevia 20 minutes before a meal, feelings of hunger and food cravings have been shown to be reduced, says Stevia.com.
Side Effects
Although generally safe, stevia has been known to cause side effects in some individuals. Rxlist.com says stevia or one of the chemicals in the sweetener, called stevioside, may cause bloating or nausea. Other side effects that have been reported include dizziness, numbness and muscle pain. Individuals with allergies may want to consult a health care practitioner before using stevia, especially individuals allergic to certain plants or flowers.
Warning
Women who are breastfeeding or who are pregnant should not consume stevia, says Rxlist.com. Individuals taking medications such as lithium, diabetes medications and drugs for high blood pressure should check with their health care providers before consuming stevia, as this sweetener may interact with some of the medications and cause adverse side effects.
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