Stevia

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Blog Post #4

            The use of stevia has become a growing trend among nonnutritive sweeteners like saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame-K and neotame. Stevia is a generic term that refers to the different forms of the sweetener like the plant and extract. Stevia is 200 to 350 times sweeter than table sugar. The popularity of stevia has raised a question to its safety. Over 200 studies have been reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority and the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on the safety of consuming stevia. Research has found that stevia is safe for adults, children, and pregnant and nursing women. The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is 12 mg per kg body weight per day. This would be equivalent to a 150-pound individual consuming 40 packets of stevia per day. Studies have been done looking at the metabolism of stevia and the effect on weight management, cardiovascular disease, cancer, food allergies, diabetes, seizures, and gut microbiome.  Research so far has found that there is no difference in BMI between those consuming stevia and those consuming a placebo. There has not been very in depth looks at stevia on weight loss, but research will continue in that area. The FDA has deemed stevia to be safe when it comes to cardiovascular disease as well as cancer. There has also been no negative effects of stevia on blood glucose and is deemed safe for individuals with diabetes.

While I am a user of stevia, and have found it to be a great substitute of other nonnutritive sweeteners, I do wonder what research will find in the future. I think it is important to consume a good balance of foods. I do not think the use of nonnutritive sweeteners should be abused by being used in every food product and beverage someone is consuming throughout the day. I think substituting stevia for sugar every now is a safe and easy way to cut back on a few extra calories. 


SR

http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0617p18.shtml

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