Stevia (Stee-ve-uh), or Stevia Rabaudiana, is a sweet herb that grows in South America. Recorded history shows Stevia’s use as early as 1887; however, it has been used for hundreds of years, if not thousands of years prior to that by natives in Paraguay, Argentina, Chili, Columbia, Peru and other countries.
Stevia is used as a natural sweetener all over the world, but this is not the case in the US. It is not FDA approved as a sweetener, which means it can’t be sold as such. However, the FDA states there is no reason to object to its use in certain prepared foods. It is only available in a supplement in the US.
Stevia produces a compound called stevioside, which is the part of the Stevia plant that is sweet. It is an extremely low calorie option for a sweetener and it is also much sweeter than regular sugar. It is used as a sweetener in many energy drinks in the US, which aren’t monitored by the FDA, as well as in supplement products as an alternative to sugar.
Not all types of physical activity are suitable for everyone. Users take training advice at their own personal risk.
Stevia Safety Concerns There are many people who feel that Stevia should be sold in the US as a sweetener option. The problem with this is that long term studies show that any more than moderate use of Stevia raises toxicity levels in the body and can damage the liver. According to the... more
There are many people who feel that Stevia should be sold in the US as a sweetener option. The problem with this is that long term studies show that any more than moderate use of Stevia raises toxicity levels in the body and can damage the liver.
According to the FDA, if Stevia were approved in the US, soda companies would use it in their soft drinks in lieu of other sweetener options. Americans consume more soda than any other country in the world, with the average being four sodas a day. The recommended use of Stevia as a sweetener is no more than one package a day.
Stevia is banned as a sweetener in the US, Canada and in the UK for this reason. Countries where Stevia is sold as a sweeter aren’t known for their high consumption of sweet drinks in general.
Stevia is associated with a number of health problems:
It is important to note that lab studies are not the same as real world studies and cancer may not occur in humans, but this isn’t a risk that the FDA is willing to take so that people have another alternative for a sweetener.
There are supplement companies that question the FDA's block of using Stevia as a sweetener stating that the studies conducted aren’t good enough to produce reliable results. However, it isn’t the FDA's responsibility to produce studies. Until a major company decides to conduct real clinical studies on Stevia to show that it’s safe, the FDA will not change its position on this sweetener.
Be careful of companies that claim that you can use Stevia without repercussion. They want to sell you a product and it is in their best interest to get you to purchase it. Without further studies, there is no reason for you to put your health on the line because of a low calorie sweetener. Simply use caution and reasonable amounts of anything you consume.
Stevia may turn out to be a relatively safe product. However, without further studies to back it up, it will be some time before it is determined that it is safe to use as a sweetener on a regular basis.
Stevia is sold as a dietary supplement. It is used in protein powders, energy drinks, and other supplement products as a sweetener. It is also sold as its own supplement to be added to other things to sweeten them.
This is a fine line for the FDA. As long as Stevia isn’t marketed as a sweetener, supplement companies can sell it to you and tell you to add it to drinks or food as a “supplement” to make it taste better.
Many people also grow their own Stevia plants in their back yards and cultivate it themselves as a sweetener.
It is difficult to get a handle on the dosing for Stevia. Different companies recommend different amounts, however the amounts are stated in spoonfuls. Take 1/3 teaspoon, or take one scoop full and so on.
Simply put, you should keep your intake low. Thousands, if not millions, of people around the world safely take low doses of Stevia. The dangers associated with Stevia occur with much higher doses. This means it isn’t likely that you will face problems if you use it in your tea or get it from energy drinks or protein bars, etc.
Find and compare Stevia sources by using the free supplement finder now!
| Reduced Sperm Count |
| High Amounts Cause Listed Side Effects |
| Slows Metabolism |
| Azucacaa, Ca-A-Jhei, Ca-A-Yupi, Caa-He-É, Caa'Inhem, Capim Doce, Eira-Caa, Erva Doce, Estevia, Eupatorium rebaudianum, Green Stevia, Kaa Jhee, Mustelia eupatoria, Paraguayan Stevioside, Reb A, Rebaudioside A, Rebiana, Stevia eupatoria, Stevia Plant, Stevia purpurea, Stevia rebaudiana, Stevioside, Sweetleaf, Sweet Herb of Paraguay, Sweet Herb, Sweet Leaf of Paraguay, Yerba Dulce |
| Sugar Alternative |