Stevia, a natural sweetener obtained from the leaves of a South American shrub, has a long and complicated history with the United States Food and Drug Administration. A component of stevia leaves, Rebaudioside A in highly purified form was approved by the FDA for use as a sweetener in 2008. The FDA rates Rebaudioside A generally recognized as safe, or GRAS. Stevia obtained directly from the leaf of the plant is not approved for use in foods, but is sold in health food stores as a supplement, which is not subject to the same FDA regulations as food products.
Benefits
Stevia has several benefits over other sweeteners such as sugar: it has no calories, but unlike other non-caloric sweeteners, it comes from a natural rather than a man-made artificial source, which appeals to many people concerned about the potential health risks of artificial sweeteners, despite the FDA's continued approval for their use.
Drawbacks
The FDA has not approved stevia leaves for use in food because of concern about potential side effects, even though no significant side effects outside of mild nausea or feelings of fullness and an unpleasant aftertaste have been reported in humans. However, a study conducted by Brazilian researchers and reported in the November 1999 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found that administration of stevia for 60 days reduced sperm concentration as well as the fructose content in the seminal fluid and also decreased testosterone levels. This study and animal studies that indicate a possible effect on the kidneys in rats and mice have held the FDA back from approving its use as a sweetener in food.
Products
Two sweeteners that contain this product in the US, Truvia and and PureVia, also contain a sugar alcohol, erythritol, which the FDA approved for use in 2001. Sugar alcohols are neither sugar nor alcohol; they're sweeteners that the body incompletely absorbs, which results in a reduced calorie count. No safety studies have been conducted on Truvia or PureVia as of May 2011.
Stevia
Stevia itself cannot be sold for use in foods in the US as a sweetener. The only place to buy stevia is in health food stores in the US. Japan, which uses more stevia than any other country, sells stevia in the form of stevioside. Numerous other countries, including South Korea, Israel, Brazil, Germany and Thailand also use stevioside in foods as well.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Stevia: Can It Help With Weight Control?; Kathleen Zeratsky, R.D.; November 2010
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology;" Effects of chronic administration of Stevia Rebaudiana on Fertility in Rats; M. Melis; November 1999
- Union County College; Stevia; Dr. T. Ombrello
- Nutrition Wonderland; The Science Behind Truvia and PureVia Sweeteners (Rebiana); John Serrao; February 2009
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