To cut calories and keep blood sugar levels more stable, many Americans turn to zero-calorie artificial sweeteners to satisfy their taste buds. Throughout the past decade, however, there have been growing health concerns about artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame. A no-calorie natural sweetener called stevia is gaining popularity in the United States.
Background Information
Stevia is an all natural, zero-calorie sweetener extracted from the stevia plant, Stevia rebaudiana, which is native to Paraguay. Stevia extract is 250 to 300 times sweeter than an identical quantity of table sugar. Although stevia is relatively new to consumers in the United States, it has been used for many decades as a sweetener in other countries, such as Japan, China and South American and European countries. Japan is the largest consumer of stevia, which accounts for 40 percent of the Japanese sweetener market. The historical background on stevia suggests that this sweetener has a safe track record.
Stevia's Legal History
Stevia was once banned in the United States. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension reports that, in 1991, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned stevia from being sold in the United States. The FDA claimed there was insufficient evidence of stevia's safety despite its widespread use outside the United States. In 1995, the FDA revised its decision and allowed stevia to be sold as a dietary supplement.
Safety of Stevia
In December 2008, the FDA recognized stevia among foods that are "generally recognized as safe," issuing a "letter of no questions" concerning the safety of stevia extract. The International Food Information Council Foundation reports that the safety of stevia sweeteners for human consumption has long been established by peer-reviewed, human carcinogenicity studies, multi-generational safety studies and metabolic studies. In short, stevia is considered safe for you to take.
Benefits of Stevia
With its safety established, stevia presents numerous benefits. As an all-natural sweetener, stevia does not carry potential carcinogenic side effects. Stevia has no calories and is ideal for dieters. The International Food Information Council Foundation reports that stevia will not increase your blood glucose levels and is an ideal sweetener for diabetics. Furthermore, stevia does not contribute to tooth decay like sugar. As an alternative or replacement for sugar in combination with exercise and a balanced diet, this sweetener can be very useful for losing weight or managing your weight. Please consult your doctor or a registered dietitian if you are curious about how to incorporate stevia into your diet.
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