Stevia is an artificial sweetener that is derived from the stevia plant, or Stevia rebaudiana, and is gaining more support as a substitute for sugar and other artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, or NutraSweet. As of 2009, stevia has been approved for general use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and is generally recognized as safe, or GRAS. Evidence suggests stevia might affect your blood sugar levels in a positive way and might be the preferred artificial sweetener for people with high blood sugar, according to the book "Nutritional Supplements in Sports and Exercise."
Metabolism
According to a 2003 study published in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry," stevia extracts are 250 times sweeter than sucrose, or normal table sugar; contain zero calories; and are noncarcinogenic. Stevia is not readily absorbed by your intestines, as most of it is excreted through your bowels, while only about 15 percent actually makes it into your bloodstream. Once in your blood, stevia is broken down by your liver and has an effect on your blood sugar, research suggests.
Blood Sugar
According to a 2005 study published in the journal "Planta Medica," stevia might have a positive effect on blood sugar and might be a viable alternative to regular sugar and other artificial sweeteners. Researchers found that stevia can lower blood sugar levels and increase glucose tolerance in diabetic animals by increasing insulin production and reducing insulin resistance, which might have human applications as well.
Hypoglycemia
A high intake of stevia might cause your blood sugar levels to drop too low by improving the effects of insulin. If you suffer from hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, talk with your doctor before using a product containing stevia to make sure you are healthy enough to use it. Blood sugar levels that are too low can cause cold sweats, blurred vision, nervousness, headache and irritability, among other symptoms.
Toxicity
According to the book, "Nutrition for Health, Fitness and Sport," some concerns have been raised over the potential toxicity of some artificial sweeteners -- such as sucralose, or Splenda, and aspartame -- and their effects on blood sugar levels in diabetics. According to the "Journal of Toxicological Sciences," stevia showed no harmful effects on stomach, colon and liver DNA and cells. Stevia and stevia extract have shown no negative responses in multiple toxicological investigations.
References
- "Nutritional Supplements in Sports and Exercise"; Mike Greenwood et al.; 2010
- Food and Drug Administration: GRAS Notice Inventory
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; "Metabolism of Stevioside and Rebaudioside A from Stevia Rebaudiana Extracts by Human Microflora"; C. Gardana et al.; September 2003
- "Planta Medica"; "Mechanism of the Hypoglycemic Effect of Stevioside, a Glycoside of Stevia Redbaudiana"; T.H. Chen et al.; February 2005
- "Nutrition for Health, Fitness and Sport"; Melvin Anthony; 2002
- "Journal of Toxicological Sciences"; "Genotoxicity Studies of Stevia Extract and Steviol by the Comet Assay"; K. Sekihashi et al.; December 2002
