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Is Stevia Bad for the Health?

Jun 1, 2011 | By Mary Krane Derr

Much concern exists over the possible health drawbacks of leaves and leaf extracts from the South American herb "Stevia rebaudiana." In some countries, it has won the acceptance of the public well before full approval by government food and drug safety agencies. Ask your doctor or dietitian if stevia is a healthy choice for you, especially if you have a diet-treated condition such as diabetes or obesity.

Traditional and Contemporary Uses

According to Mansfield's World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops, the Native Americans of Paraguay have traditionally used stevia to sweeten yerba mate tea, treat diabetes and prevent pregnancy. As of 2011 there is little scientific evidence suggesting stevia as an effective contraceptive. Its greatest appeal is as an inexpensive, easily grown, zero-calorie natural sweetener. Its most active compound, stevioside, tastes 250 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar.

Regulatory Status

Stevia has a good safety record in Japan, where it has been commonly and legally added as a general purpose sweetener to many foods and beverages since the 1970s. Yet as of 2011, some government food and drug regulatory agencies, including Canada, the European Union and the United States, have not embraced stevia as rapidly or enthusiastically as the general public, although this is changing. Stevia advocates blame artificial sweetener manufacturers for the negative press.

Acute and Chronic Toxicity

According to the World Health Organization, or WHO, stevia is not acutely or chronically toxic -- that is, poisonous in the short or long run -- if humans consume 4 mg or less of steviol glycosides, or purified stevia extracts, per kg of body weight daily.

Cancer Risk

A 1985 study in the "Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences" raised alarm that stevioside might pose a cancer risk. However, scientific literature reviews by WHO in 2006 and the European Food Safety Authority, EFSA, in 2010 found no such risk.

Reproduction

According to both EFSA and WHO, there is no evidence that stevia interferes with male or female reproductive system development and function. Stevia is not linked to prenatal disabilities or deaths. However, ask your health professional about stevia if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Blood Pressure

Stevia may have some cardiotonic properties, meaning that it may help normalize blood pressure and heartbeat. Yet findings on its therapeutic value for high blood pressure or other cardiovascular problems have been mixed and inconclusive.

References

Article reviewed by Tina Boyle Last updated on: Jun 1, 2011

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