Adverse Effects Of The Stevia Sweetener

The artificial sweetener, stevia, comes from the stevia plant, which is a natural compound that is several hundred times sweeter than sucrose, or table sugar. Stevia is used as a food additive and alternative to sugar because not only is it sweeter, but it is calorie-free. However, there are some adverse effects associated with stevia, even though the Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of stevia in the United States. Talk with your doctor about stevia to see if it is the right alternative to sugar for you.

Allergies

Since stevia is derived from a plant source, you may experience an allergic reaction, especially if you are hypersensitive to certain plants. The active ingredient in stevia is rebaudioside A. If you have plant allergies, eating rebaudioside A may cause your body to increase the production of histamine, a compound that protects your body against potentially harmful toxins. Histamine can cause you to experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, including hives, swelling and heart palpitations, which can result in a serious medical condition.

Blood Pressure

Stevia may have a lowering effect your blood pressure, which is potentially harmful, especially if you suffer from hypotension, or low blood pressure. Researchers found that stevia can cause vasodilation, or an increase in the diameter of your blood vessels, which lowers your blood pressure, inducing hypotension, according to a study published in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology." According to MayoClinic.com, hypotension can result in dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, cold skin, fatigue, depression and excessive thirst.

Diabetes

People suffering from diabetes often look for sugar substitutes, like stevia, to replace sugar because of their body's inability to properly process glucose. According to the book, "Nutrition for Health, Fitness, and Sport," by replacing dietary sugar with artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes, you can lower fasting blood sugar levels, which in some cases can be beneficial. If you suffer from hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, stevia use may drop your blood glucose levels too much, which can cause fatigue and make it more difficult for you to balance your blood sugar levels.

Toxicity

Stevia, when used as an artificial sweetener or a sugar substitute, appears to be generally safe and has a low toxicity. According to a 2008 study published in the "International Journal of Toxicology," researchers concluded that 90 days of stevia supplementation consisting of 500 to 2,000 mg per kg of body weight per day in healthy animals provided no signs of toxic effects. Despite this, not enough is known about the long-term effects of stevia on humans, and no upper tolerable limit of stevia has been established by the Food and Drug Administration.