What are the health benefits of stevia?

Health Benefits of Stevia

Stevia is a nonnutritive sweetener that can serve as an acceptable substitute for sugar when consumed in moderation, but offers limited proven health benefits beyond calorie reduction. 1

What is Stevia?

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is a natural nonnutritive sweetener derived from the leaves of the stevia plant. It is:

• 200-400 times sweeter than table sugar 1
• Contains zero calories 1
• FDA approved as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) 1
• Heat stable, making it suitable for cooking and baking 1

Potential Health Benefits

Diabetes Management

• Stevia does not appear to have a significant effect on glycemic management in people with diabetes 1
• It can reduce overall calorie and carbohydrate intake when used as a sugar substitute 1
• Research on stevia's direct hypoglycemic effects shows mixed results:
  • Some preclinical studies suggest antihyperglycemic effects at doses of 200,300, and 400 mg/kg 2
  • However, a clinical trial found no significant differences in fasting blood sugar, insulin, HbA1c, or lipid levels when comparing stevia to sucralose in diabetic patients 3

Weight Management

• When substituted for caloric sweeteners, stevia may help reduce calorie intake 1
• However, evidence regarding weight management is mixed:
  • Some systematic reviews show benefit in weight loss 1
  • Other research suggests an association with weight gain 1
  • The addition of nonnutritive sweeteners to diets poses no benefit for weight loss without energy restriction 1

Cardiovascular Health

• Limited evidence suggests stevia may help reduce triglycerides and VLDL-C levels in diabetic patients 4
• However, major diabetes guidelines do not specifically recommend stevia for cardiovascular benefits 1

Safety Considerations

• The FDA has approved stevia for consumption by the general public, including people with diabetes 1
• No known contraindications for stevia use in children or adults (unlike aspartame, which is contraindicated in phenylketonuria) 1
• Studies have shown that steviol glycosides are not teratogenic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic 5

Practical Recommendations

• For people with diabetes who regularly consume sugar-sweetened products, stevia may be an acceptable substitute when used in moderation 1
• People with diabetes should be encouraged to decrease both sweetened and nonnutritive-sweetened beverages overall, with emphasis on water intake 1
• Stevia can be used as part of a comprehensive weight management plan, but should not be relied upon as a standalone weight loss strategy 1

Important Caveats

• The long-term safety of nonnutritive sweeteners in childhood has not been fully assessed in humans 1
• Some research suggests potential impacts of nonnutritive sweeteners on:
  • Cognitive processes (reward, taste perception)
  • Oral-gastrointestinal taste receptors
  • Glucose-insulin and energy homeostasis
  • Gut microbiome 1
• Nonnutritive sweeteners like stevia should be viewed as a transitional tool rather than a permanent solution for reducing sugar intake 1

In conclusion, while stevia is a safe alternative to sugar with potential benefits for calorie reduction, current evidence does not strongly support its use for specific health benefits beyond serving as a sugar substitute for those looking to reduce calorie intake.