The sweet herb Stevia rebaudiana may be helpful for people attempting to lose weight and for diabetic individuals. The purified extracts, such as Stevioside, are sweeter than sugar and are lower in calories than sugar. In addition, research indicates Stevia can reduce blood pressure, reports the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Consult a qualified health care provider before using Stevia to lower blood pressure.
Function
Stevioside appears to act as a calcium channel antagonist, also called a calcium channel blocker, according to Sloan-Kettering. Its activity seems similar to that of the blood pressure medication verapamil, which stops calcium from entering cells of the heart and blood vessel walls. This relaxes and widens blood vessels and allows the heart to pump less forcefully, increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart and slows electrical activity in the heart.
Research
An example of research indicating that Stevioside lowers high blood pressure appeared in the September 2000 issue of the "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology." Participants took either 250 mg of Stevioside or a placebo three times per day for one year. The group taking Stevioside experienced significant decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure within three months.
Review of Studies
A review of studies published in the April 2010 issue of "Cardiovascular and Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry" found mixed results for the effects of Stevia on lowering blood pressure in people with hypertension. While the "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" study and another study lasting two years had positive results, shorter studies lasting 1 to 3 months did not support the premise that Stevia can reduce blood pressure.
Considerations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies Stevia as generally recognized as safe. No safety concerns, major contraindications or side effects have been documented with widespread use of this substance, according to Drugs.com. Animal studies have found Stevioside to be nontoxic. In addition, animal research has supported the theory that Stevia has antihypertensive effects, notes the "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" article. If you are interested in taking Stevia to lower blood pressure, do so with your doctor's guidance, and do not stop taking your blood pressure medicine without your doctor's approval and supervision.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Stevia
- Drugs.com: Stevia
- MayoClinic.com: Calcium Channel Blockers
- "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology"; A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study Of The Effectiveness And Tolerability Of Oral Stevioside In Human Hypertension; P. Chan, et al.; September 2000
- "Clinical Therapeutics"; Efficacy And Tolerability Of Oral Stevioside In Patients With Mild Essential Hypertension; M.H. Hsieh, et al.; November 2003
- "Cardiovascular and Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry"; An Evidence-Based Systematic Review Of Stevia By The Natural Standard Research Collaboration; C. Ulbricht; April 2010
