You may be one of the countless people who are using stevia for their food and drink because you have also proven it to be a very famous substitute for sucralose and many other sweeteners. But not many people know, this natural sweetener may also come with its own potential issues.
A Ben-Gurion University of the Negev study showed that consumption of stevia might lead to gut health issues by upsetting the beneficial bacteria's balance.
In relation to this finding, the study authors are now encouraging more studies into the probable effects of using stevia.
Stevia is a kind of sweetener processed from leaves. In an article posted on EurekAlert, it is described as a low-calorie substitute for sugar and, because of its "natural designation," a lot of people consider it as a "safer and healthier option" than artificial sweeteners available in the market today.
If you're interested in exploring sweetener alternatives, it's essential to delve into the sucralose vs stevia debate. Sucralose, in contrast to stevia, is a synthetic sweetener known for its zero-calorie properties. While both sweeteners have their merits, many individuals prefer stevia for its natural origin and potential health benefits, making it a popular choice for those seeking a more wholesome sugar substitute.
FDA Approval Needed
In a similar article, SlashGear reported that the Food and Drug Administration "only considers high-quality steviol glycosides," sweet compounds found in the plant, as GRAS or "generally recognized as safe."
Nonetheless, crude stevia extracts, as well as stevia leaves, do not have a GRAS designation, and there is no approval from the FDA yet, to use them in food products.
Consumers can buy an assortment of processed stevia products, which include the ones developed to appear like ordinary sugar, for use in almost all beverages and baked food products.
Even though many people are reporting to have consumed stevia minus any evident changes in their health condition, a percentage of individuals have reported suffering unwanted side effects from consuming the sweetener. Among these side effects are heart palpitations and trouble with digesting food.
Focus on Impact on Digestion
This research focused on the latter-mentioned: food digestion, which, according to the said report, nothing that stevia stimulates "changes in bacteria that may cause various gut health problems."
Even though stevia was not found and proven to destroy the gut microbes, research study did note that it may delay the communication between various bacteria in an individual's gut microbiome.
Such a disruption may explain circumstantial reports from some individuals who complain of experiencing stomach pain, gas, and constipation, among others, while they're using stevia. However, there is a need for more research.
According to the study's lead author, Dr.Karina Golberg, this is just a preliminary study specifying that more studies are necessary "before the food industry replaces sugar and artificial sweeteners with stevia and its extracts."
Other Side Effects of Stevia
There is also a concern that unprocessed or raw stevia herb may be harmful to the "kidneys, reproductive system and cardiovascular system," according to healthline.
It may drop one's blood pressure too low, too, or act together with medications that lower blood sugar. Even though stevia is considered safe for those with diabetes, brands that contain maltodextrin or dextrose need to be treated with caution.
Dextrose is glucose, while maltodextrin is a starch. These two ingredients add small quantities of carbs and calories. Sugar alcohols may slightly tip the carb count, too.
If you have been eating and drinking with stevia from time to time, it may not be enough to affect your blood sugar. However, if you're using it throughout the day, the carbs are found to be adding up.
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