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Stevia Herb Extract

Also known as: Stevia, Sweet Leaf, Sweet Herb, *Stevia rebaudiana* Bertoni

Overview

Stevia is a perennial shrub native to South America, renowned for its sweet leaves containing compounds such as stevioside and rebaudioside, which confer its intense sweetness without calories. It is used widely as a natural low-calorie sweetener and is increasingly being explored for potential health benefits, including antihyperglycemic effects and antioxidant activity. While stevia has shown promise in reducing blood sugar levels and providing antioxidant benefits, the current level of research is moderate, with strong evidence coming from systematic reviews and meta-analyses, yet additional well-designed clinical trials are needed to validate these findings in human subjects.

Benefits

1. Antioxidant Effects: Stevia leaf extracts have demonstrated a substantial capacity to reduce oxidative stress markers by 65-85% in animal studies, indicating significant antioxidant effects (High evidence). 2. Antihyperglycemic Effect: It has been shown that stevia may lower blood glucose levels, particularly benefiting diabetic populations, with significant outcomes observed at doses ranging from 200-400 mg/kg in animals (Moderate evidence). 3. Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Properties: There is preliminary evidence suggesting stevia may have additional anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and potential anticancer effects (Variable quality). Overall, diabetic patients and individuals seeking low-calorie alternatives are likely to benefit the most from using stevia.

How it works

Stevia's mechanisms of action primarily involve antioxidant pathways, where it enhances enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) to mitigate oxidative stress. It may also activate adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which regulates glucose metabolism and energy balance, contributing to its antihyperglycemic effects. The precise molecular targets in humans remain to be fully identified, but the bioactive compounds in stevia interact with various biological pathways, promoting health.

Side effects

Stevia is generally regarded as safe for consumption; however, rare gastrointestinal disturbances have been reported in some individuals. Notably, there are no known common or rare adverse effects associated with stevia. Caution should be exercised by individuals on blood pressure medications due to potential hypotensive interactions. Additionally, due to limited data, the use of stevia during pregnancy and breastfeeding is advised against, though specific contraindications have not been established. Overall, while stevia poses minimal risks for the general population, specific populations should consult healthcare providers before use.

Dosage

While no minimum effective dose has been firmly established for health benefits, stevia is primarily consumed as a sweetener. Animal studies suggest optimal doses for antihyperglycemic effects range between 200-400 mg/kg. The maximum safe dosage is not formally defined, with stevia considered safe as a food additive within common culinary doses. There are no specific timing recommendations for consumption, and enhancements in antioxidant activity may be more pronounced with leaf extracts compared to refined glycosides. Data on absorption and co-factor requirements remain limited.

FAQs

Is stevia safe for long-term use?

Yes, stevia is considered safe for long-term consumption as a sweetener, although long-term effects still require further study.

Can stevia be used by diabetics?

Yes, stevia can be beneficial for diabetics as it may help reduce blood glucose levels.

What are the health benefits of stevia?

Stevia may offer antioxidant properties and aid in blood sugar control, although more human studies are needed.

Does stevia have any side effects?

Stevia is generally well-tolerated, though some may experience gastrointestinal upset; rare side effects are uncommon.

Should pregnant women use stevia?

Caution is advised for pregnant women due to limited research on its safety in this population.

Research Sources

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/15/3325 – This systematic review covers various studies highlighting the antioxidant effects of stevia leaf extracts, demonstrating up to 85% reduction in oxidative stress markers in animal models, indicating significant health potential, though limited to animal subjects.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19961353/ – This study outlines Stevia's antihyperglycemic effects with meta-analysis pointing to effective doses of 200-400 mg/kg, reviewing its potential as a natural sweetener for diabetes management, while noting the lack of human trial data.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37571265/ – This review discusses the historical use of stevia as a sweetener and for medicinal purposes, although it lacks new primary research findings.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32031079/ – A study exploring the potential anticancer properties of stevia extracts, providing preliminary data on its biological activities and encouraging future research.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fsn3.2904 – This systematic review evaluates the overall health effects of stevia and its components, summarizing evidence for its safety and biological effects across different trials, underlining the need for more comprehensive human studies.