Stevia what is it used for

However, the stevia plant itself may be grown at home, and the leaves can be used in a variety of ways. It was originally thought that stevia poses a danger to kidney health.

A study on rats carried out since then suggests that stevia leaves in supplement form may instead possess qualities that protect the kidneys and reduce the impact of diabetes. Current research also suggests that it is safe to consume the recommended amount of sugar substitute or less while pregnant. Some stevia products also contain sugar alcohol. People with sensitivity to sugar alcohol may experience bloating, abdominal cramps, nausea, and diarrhea , though one type of sugar alcohol, erythritol, poses less risk of symptoms than others.

As long as stevia is highly-purified and used in moderation, it will not cause side effects and can be consumed worry-free. In the U. Extracts from the stevia leaf have been available as dietary supplements in the U. The sweet components in stevia sweeteners are naturally occurring.

This may further benefit consumers who prefer foods and beverages they perceive as natural. Worldwide, more than 5, food and beverage products currently use stevia as an ingredient. Stevia sweeteners are used as an ingredient in products throughout Asia and South America such as:. In , the FDA refused to approve stevia as a sweetener as an additive in foods.

Multiple global regulatory bodies have now determined that high-purity stevia extract is safe for consumption by the general population within the recommended levels, including children. Stevioside was found to be nontoxic in acute toxicity studies. These studies used a variety of laboratory animals. No major contraindications, warnings, or adverse reactions have been documented.

The steviol glycosides in stevia meet purity criteria established by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives JECFA , indicating that stevia sweeteners are safe for use by individuals with diabetes. The majority of scientific research on stevia uses high-purity stevia extracts. Crude stevia extracts were used in some studies from the past instead of high-purity extracts, which skewed the availability of accurate information.

The stevia plant is regulated not by the FDA but by the U. In fact, the plant can be purchased from a variety of gardening sources in the US, grown at home, and consumed in a variety of ways, as it has been for centuries in other countries. The potential health benefits of stevia require further study before they can be confirmed.

However, be confident that stevia is safe to consume and is an ideal alternative to sugar when looking for that extra boost of sweetness. A range of stevia products is available for purchase online.

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This article looks at the causes of postprandial somnolence, or food coma, and explains how people who often feel sleepy after eating can cope with…. Hot water bottles can help to relieve aches and pains. Learn more here. New research in mice examines the impact of a Western diet on cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders. What is stevia? Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R. Possible health benefits Side effects of stevia How is stevia used?

Nutrition Today. May How is Stevia Extract Made? Sugars, Granulated. United States Department of Agriculture. April Fitch C, Keim K. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

International Journal of Obesity. March August Nutrition Journal. September Harvard Health Publishing. July American Diabetes Association. Nature Communications. Truvia Ingredients. How Do You Store Wholesome! Organic Stevia? What Is Its Shelf Life? GRN No. GRAS Notices. Food and Drug Administration. Center for the Science in the Public Interest. November These ingredients add small amounts of carbs and calories.

Sugar alcohols may also slightly tip the carb count. If you use stevia now and then, it may not be enough to impact your blood sugar. But if you use it throughout the day, the carbs add up. A study reported a possible link between nonnutritive sweeteners, including stevia, and disruption in beneficial intestinal flora.

The same study also suggested nonnutritive sweeteners may induce glucose intolerance and metabolic disorders. As with most nonnutritive sweeteners, a major downside is the taste. In some people, stevia products made with sugar alcohols may cause digestive problems , such as bloating and diarrhea. Stevia made with Reb-A is safe to use in moderation during pregnancy. It may seem strange that a highly refined product is considered safer than a natural one. This is a common mystery with herbal products.

In this case, Reb-A has been evaluated for safety during pregnancy and otherwise. According to a study , a glycoside called stevioside found in stevia plants helps boost cancer cell death in a human breast cancer line.

Stevioside may also help decrease some mitochondrial pathways that help cancer grow. A study supported these findings. It found that many stevia glycoside derivatives were toxic to specific leukemia, lung, stomach, and breast cancer cell lines. Stevia may be used in place of table sugar in your favorite foods and beverages. A pinch of stevia powder is equal to about one teaspoon of table sugar. You can bake with stevia, although it may give cakes and cookies a licorice aftertaste.

Stevia in the Raw recommends replacing half the total amount of sugar in your recipe with their product. You should add extra liquid or a bulking ingredient such as applesauce or mashed bananas to your recipe to make up for the lost sugar. It may take some trial and error to get the texture and level of sweetness you like. Stevia products made with Reb-A are considered safe, even for people who are pregnant or who have diabetes.

These products rarely cause side effects. However, more research needs to be done to provide conclusive evidence on weight management, diabetes and other health issues. Despite a lack of research, many people claim whole-leaf stevia is a safe alternative to its highly refined counterpart or table sugar.