The Sweet Truth - is Stevia all it Cracked up to be?

Stevia, a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia Rebaudiana plant, has gained popularity in recent years as a healthier alternative to traditional sugar.  Despite its widespread use, concerns have been raised regarding its safety, particularly stemming from negative trial data obtained from animal testing. However, it remains WillPowders’ sweetener of choice and here’s why…

One comprehensive review published in the journal Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology analysed data from 11 human studies and concluded that stevia is safe for human consumption, even at high doses. The review found no adverse effects on blood glucose levels, blood pressure, or other health parameters.

Furthermore, regulatory agencies around the world, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Europe, have evaluated the safety of stevia and deemed it safe for use as a sweetener.

While some negative trial data has emerged from animal testing, it's essential to interpret these findings within the context of human consumption. Animals metabolise substances differently from humans, and what may be harmful to animals doesn't necessarily translate to human health risks.  I mean, it’s just common sense, really. 

Additionally, the doses administered in animal studies are often much higher than typical human consumption levels, which can skew results and lead to misconceptions about safety. Human studies have shown that the levels of stevia consumed in everyday use are well below the doses that demonstrated adverse effects in animal studies. It makes you wonder why on Earth animals are given far higher doses when it doesn’t reflect real life consumption levels.  It’s a bit like making a human being drink a swimming pool full of vodka to see what happens…I mean, I can guess, can you? 

Don’t just take our word for it! If you’re still not convinced, there are a plethora of studies that highlight the safety of stevia and information that explores how the HUMAN body responds to this gift from nature which you will find at the end of this blog.  

One of the most intriguing aspects of stevia is its potential to help regulate blood sugar levels. Research suggests that stevia may have antihyperglycemic effects, meaning it could help lower blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance. By stimulating insulin production and improving insulin sensitivity, stevia may offer a sweet solution for managing blood sugar levels.

The recent scare mongering that has littered our news feeds, suggesting that consuming natural sweeteners like stevia is a death sentence or puts you at risk of an immediate heart attack are not helpful, especially when ‘the results “should not be extrapolated to the general population, as the participants in the intervention were already at increased risk for cardiovascular events,”’ (Dr Ed Rankin). The truth is, the study was conducted on mainly men in their 60s and 70s who were already at risk for heart disease. A further 1,157 blood samples in people at risk for heart disease were collected between 2004 and 2011 and the findings were corroborated by further animal testing, not healthy human testing, animals, which, if past animal testing is anything to go by, may have been given far higher doses than any human would ever consume. It’s just not as cut and dry as we’re led to believe. In fact, in another trial, ‘no significant changes in mean arterial pressure or heart rate were observed after a daily intake of 1000 mg in healthy individuals who were normotensive or having low normal mean arterial pressure’. 

Prebiotics are non-digestible fibres that serve as fuel for beneficial bacteria in the gut (probiotics). Some studies have suggested that certain components of stevia, such as stevioside and rebaudioside A, may act as prebiotics, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. By nourishing these "good" bacteria, stevia could potentially contribute to a healthier gut microbiome and support digestive function.