Is Stevia Safe?
Are you one of those folks who counts calories but avoids artificial sweeteners such as Splenda or Equal? If so, you may have considered switching to stevia instead. Stevia is a South American herb that is naturally hundreds of times sweeter than sugar and has no calories. Many assume that because stevia is natural, it must be safe.
The FDA says otherwise. Should you be concerned?
Here's how stevia landed in the news recently. The FDA sent a warning letter to Hain Celestial Group Inc. chastising them for using stevia as a food additive in some of their Zinger teas. Though it is permitted as as food "supplement," the FDA considers Stevia an "unsafe food additive." (Apparently unsafe substances are allowed as food supplements but not as additives. Does this seem screwy to anyone else?)
In its letter, the FDA pointed out that there was insufficient data to conclude that stevia is safe. Even more alarming, they said that literature reports have raised concerns about stevia's effects on blood sugar, as well as possible adverse impacts it might have on reproductive, cardiovascular, and renal systems.
Many of us hadn't ever heard there were health concerns with stevia. Doesn't Whole Foods carry it? Isn't it supposed to be healthy and natural and perfectly good for you? (Some of us do complain that it tastes nasty. But to be fair, others swear it tastes just like sugar).
The Center for Science in the Public Interest doesn't like Stevia much either. Back in 2000, they warned of similar concerns. However, CSPI was less worried about an occasional packet or two dumped in a cup of coffee, and more worried about widespread use in soft drinks or other processed foods.
But no one is advocating the widespread use of Stevia in diet sodas yet so we don't need to worry about...
Oh. Wait.
According to this report, back in May Coca-Cola and Cargill said they were going to "work together to develop and market a new sweetener using stevia."
This could actually be interesting. Will natural foods advocates find themselves on the same side as the Big Food and Beverage Companies, arguing that stevia is safe? Will the FDA keep maintaining the opposite position, warning that stevia poses health risks?
In the meantime, lots of people are using stevia. So it may be a good idea to sort out whether it's a safe or dangerous alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. And who knows: now that there's big money involved, perhaps answers will come sooner rather than later.
Do you use sweeteners other than sugar? And how much does the FDA's opinion affect your choices about what you use?
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Safe or unsafe how? Poisoning, heart attack, turn your feet blue? The Canyon Ranch resort in Lenox, Mass., also offers stevia for those who prefer not to use sugar, but to be fair their philosophy is that a tiny bit of real sugar is better for you than artificial sweeteners.
ReplyCan you tell me more about blue feet? Mine turn blue when my liver enzyme levels are high but I live in a rural area without antiquate seasoned doctors. I see a nurse practitioner who simply does not what to do with me!
To be sure you understand what I'm talking about, the blue is not like from lack of oxygen, you can actually wipe it off and it's back in seconds.
I'll look forward to hearing from you.
Wanda :0)
ReplyStevia has been used safely in Japan as a sweetener for 35 years with no reported health problems.
What the FDA means is that stevia is unsafe to the companies that make poisonous sweeteners in the USA. It may cause damage to their profits.
ReplyI Agree,Thats whats wrong with this country "GREED'I just wished the honest,hard working folks,We the American People could all stick together and stop this nonsence and start selling what makes sence not whats trying to kill us off.We are getting like a bunch of ginny pigs just taking orders from the Rich robots that have all the controll because they have the power MONEY.I got news for them they can't take it with them when they go,and besides the Good Lord don't want them either.
ReplyI agree!! And what about all the other artificial sweeteners that the FDA permits on the market today that a proven to have some horrific side effects like MS, rheumatiod arthritis, and lupus, and fibromyalgia?
Replywhy aren't they doing something to get them off of the market? Sure it'll effect the food industries profits, but it will also LOWER health care costs.
Exactly, it's the FDA food and DRUG administration they want to keep the american people sick on food so they have to spend money on drugs that pretend to make them well, it's just good business ;)
Reply"Guinea" is how guinea pig is spelled.
ReplyTroll alert!
ReplyI liked ginny pigs. It has a certain non-ostentatious ring to it. Anyway Ms. Terhune, I'll join your crusade against 'big whatever'.
ReplyI expect this is not a proper reply to your message on Stevia, but I just wanted to tell you that I LOVE your last name!!!!
ReplyMay I ask you your hertiage?? God Bless You
HERE HERE! So true. Unsafe to whom? The companies pocket books, of course.
ReplyHey now, Donald Rumsfeld was integral in getting aspartame passed. And that is a name I trust! :(
ReplyYes, more research is probably needed, but at the same time, how much can a consumer trust the FDA? According to a USA Today report on Friday, "Clinical trials that enroll millions of patients in tests of experimental drugs and medical devices get scant government oversight, according to a watchdog report released Friday." (http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-09-28-drug-testing_N.htm?csp=34)
I have yet to read the actual watchdog report, but it does make me wonder...
Personally, I do use sweetners, but with extreme rarity (few times a year). I don't use Splenda because I feel that it is still too new on the market.
ReplyAndrew, Japan has a huge economic interest in stevia. If you believe that the FDA is a shill for US economic interests, do you also believe that the Japanese ministry of health is pure of motive?
ReplyMaybe the FDA mean they don't know as yet whether it is safe or unsafe, because it hasn't been tested sufficiently. However, having read that the FDA for years, said Aspartam, Nutrisweet etc were unsafe, and then completely changing their minds when there was a change in Senior Staff???? I don't think I have a lot of faith in them anyway. And yes to previous comment. Japan's government have an interest too, so we have to take it all on board and sift it like sugar. In the end we have to make our own decisions
ReplyBabilula, I'm not saying that one should blindly trust proclamations from the FDA. I have much more faith in the research than in the policy (one reason I like Jim's blog is because he bases many postings on research).
Unfortunately, lack of research does not mean lack of interesting results in the area; often it means lack of funds to support research.
Charity's quote captured my sentiments: a litte of the real thing beats any amount of artifical sweetener.
ReplyI don't place ANY faith in the Find'em Dead & Act. That being said, I don't trust aspartame, splenda, or stevia. I don't sweeten tea or coffee...the only thing I sweeten is my oatmeal, and I use a teaspoon of real brown sugar for that.
ReplyI don't know if stevia is safe or not, but I do know there is big money involved trying to stop it.
ReplyThe FDA does not have enough evidence that stevia is safe - yet there are many foods on the market that are the exact opposite of safe, why aren't they worrying about those? Oh yeah, money.
ReplyI have heard so many things about this type of sugar that I don't know if it is really safe. I am hoping that it is as I just bought about 50 dollars worth.
ReplyI don't trust what the FDA has to say about stevia - but I also think people should be careful about thinking "natural" equals "healthy." Some poisonous mushrooms for your pasta bolognese?
But in defense of stevia, don't I remember reading somewhere that it's use in some culture or other days back thousands of years?
ReplyChristine, slamming the FDA with clever acronyms is, umm, as dumb as believing every policy they promulgate.
ReplyQuito, i hear you. Anything can become unhealthy when eaten to insane excess.
ReplyI should also add - when overprocessed.
ReplyUgh.
The dreaded sweetener debate.
My mother is constantly begging me to show her the next great sweetener.
I know this:
I don't trust the FDA.
We definitely need more research on stevia.
I don't trust the makers of Splenda either. At all.
Give me agave!
ReplyStevia hasn't been tested nearly as much as aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, acesulfame, neotame, etc. because formulation-wise, it doesn't work as well as a sweetener in foods. It has a quite unique aftertaste (I think it tastes a little like licorice) and compared to aspartame or sucralose, it just doesn't work as well. That being said, aspartame hasn't been shown to cause any real problems in people (other than phenylketonuriacs) and I feel like it's probably pretty safe to eat. I don't feel too bad about eating it, but that's just me. Natural sweeteners aren't always "safe"...some natural herbs are really toxic. Bitter orange extract, cocaine leaves, opium, toadstools, etc...all very natural, not necessarily very healthy.
It'd be interesting if a food company did decide to work with stevia and try to get it approved for use in foods. It'd take a miracle from the flavor department to mask the funky taste of it though.
Replyi'm fortunate my tastes are for savoury rather than sweet. The only sugar i get is from fruit and on occasion perhaps some ice cream, or some chocolate, and honey, the lady accross the street from me owns bee's so we always have big jars of honey :-)
Replyi didnt like the taste of stevia all that much but i could tolerate it until i realized that the itchy blotches i had only appeared after using it and never returned after i stopped. every once in awhile i will put a packet in my coffee and within a hour more welts. guess i am allergic so i will stick with splenda.
ReplyThere are many views on the issue of safety but I like this:
Dr. Daniel Mowrey MD, Herbalist and renowned scientist, reported:
"More elaborate safety tests were performed by the Japanese during their evaluation of Stevia as a possible sweetening agent. Few substances have ever yielded such consistently negative results in toxicity trials as have Stevia. Almost every toxicity test imaginable has been performed on Stevia extract [concentrate] or stevioside at one time or another. The results are always negative. No abnormalities in weight change, food intake, cell or membrane characteristics, enzyme and substrate utilization, or chromosome characteristics. No cancer, no birth defects, no acute and no chronic untoward effects. Nothing."
Reply"Apparently unsafe substances are allowed as food supplements but not as additives. Does this seem screwy to anyone else?"
This is because the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 gave the supplement industry the power to release dietary supplements onto the market before actually demonstrating they were safe. The act took away most of the regulatory power from the FDA over supplements sold, which is why Stevia can be sold as a supplement but is not been approved as an additive (the FDA still retains some regulatory functions regarding the food industry)
ReplyFirst, I am currently really ticked off at the FDA, because they released a statement earlier this week stating that they are advising the widespread removal of ALL children's cold medicines from the shelves, including diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Why? Because the doses of those medications had never been tested. They (the FDA) just ok'd smaller versions of adult doses to be sold. And they let it go on for what, TEN YEARS or more? And they're just NOW deciding to do something about it? And on top of it, they're leaving parents with no viable alternative for a sick child until they get their massive wheels turning and decide to approve something else.
I'm getting really sick and tired of the final word of the FDA, only to find out later that their decision was based on faulty research, incomplete/nonexistent research, or gobs of money. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised, since it is another branch of the Government.
grrr. whew. rant over.
Second, I've had Stevia. I even tried growing it, only to find out that it really needs a greenhouse-type environment (very warm and humid), and I couldn't provide it. But I liked the taste when I put one leaf into my tea, and had no ill effects from it. Would I use it for everything? No. But then I don't put sweeteners in much, and I also don't have a problem with good old fashioned sugar.
ReplySeriously, everyone here is bagging on the FDA. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone..." Or should I say, move to one of the 3rd world countries that everyone worships while bad-mouthing the USA and see how long anyone of you would live.
No one is perfect. This is extremely true of governments. But as they go, the USA has the best. Even the hypocrites who bag on the USA really want what we have.
Stop complaining, be thankful for what we have, then try to carry on rational, thoughtful conversations without the personal attacks.
It's worthwhile asking "is Stevia safe?" Don't mask it with anti-authority BS.
Peace out.
ReplyWow, the government it just the 'best'. I guess you have not lived or traveled very many places. Quite a few governments function to the benefit of their citizens at equal or greater par than the U.S.
You don't need to hate the government or FDA to recognize the need for it to have an overhaul in it's structure, and purpose and it also needs to close the revolving door between itself and the Food/drug industry.
Dissent is American as American gets. Complaining, arguing, and debating is necessary to hammer out the right path. Just hammering folk to shut up and be happy for what you have is not a PRODUCTIVE solution oriented methodology to achieve safe food. Towing the line is very un-American.
When the people fear the government their is Tyranny. When the government fears the people you have freedom. The FDA certainly doesn't fear us. You figure out the rest...
ReplyWhoa- amen...
ReplyActually, that should be measured in hundreds of years, rather than thousands, but otherwise you are correct.
However, it was used then in whole leaf form. The Wikipedia article suggests that some stevia extracts may be hepatotoxic, while the whole product contains other protective factors.
Therefore, I would use stevia, but only in a dried and powdered leaf form. That is, if I had any use for sweeteners at all.
----------------
And, of course, the reason why stevia is so restricted in the US is for the benefit of the food additive companies. Meanwhile, their chemists might develop an analogue to stevioside that they may patent, and with that, make piles of money. Otherwise, the simple extract of any plant itself cannot be patented.
But the tests they do for FDA approval can never measure up to hundreds or thousands of years of safe human use, after being naturally developed by evolution. Nothing can beat the real thing.
ReplyWith the FDA is all about money. That's why Coke Coal Co. will be able to take on the FDA. In 1yr we will see Coke Cola use Stevia in their diet drinks. Stevia is safe.
Replyis aspartame safe? No but guess what...it's out there..it's approved by the FDA. - The reason Celestial Teas got a letter from the FDA was because their packaging read "Herbal Supplement" and not "Dietary Supplement".
ReplyDear Specta,
ReplyYou would not trust aspartame so much if you suffered from headaches, like I do, whenever I eat anything that has aspartame in it, especially gum! It was 13yrs ago, I figured out on my own, apartame gave me awful headaches; that was even before I had ever heard anything negative at all about aspartame. To my knowledge, I have never been allergic to anything else in my life. Just beware!
It's has also been said aspartame helps cause arthritis; funny how the makers of aspartame have stock in celebrex (Unsure of spelling but it's the arthritis medication).
Same here!!!
ReplyBefore I stopped consuming Aspartame I got horrible headaches all the time. I didn't know what it was. Then when I read about Aspartame I stopped consuming it and I stopped get bad headaches all the time.
ReplyI never said that everyone can tolerate aspartame, but for me, it's never caused me any problems or anything. If you can't tolerate it, don't eat it. I have similar issues with chamomile tea...it makes me queasy and gives me headaches, so I don't drink it. Just like my mother in law can't tolerate sugar, so she avoids it (she's diabetic). She likes Splenda and it doesn't give her any problems. There are myriads of allergies, etc. out there...if you're allergic to something, just don't eat it.
ReplyThe topic of what is unhealthy for you, what gives you headaches, what is good for you, and what is a miracle cure, is so fraught with fear mongering, apocryphal stories, citations to "renowned scientists", personal experiences, and stories of sinister forces. It's one part of our society driven by fear and greed.
(jessie, i'm not attacking mowrey, although the last i knew he was not an MD. he has a PhD, obtained in the 70s, in clinical psychology from BYU. all of the references i found to his work in google scholar are shallow - mainly to his book when there is no other reference to the use of some herb).
ReplyI chew stevia sweetened gum because it supposedly reduces bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities. I also recently read an article by a veterinarian that warned stevia could be very dangerous to dogs if ingested. If it is not safe for dogs then how can it be safe for humans. I'm confused, but then again with all the conflicting "scientific" information we receive almost daily, who isn't.
ReplyUm, are you serious? Grapes are poisonous to dogs, too, that doesn't mean anything ...
Replydidn't know bout the grapes, but chocolate is too, and that's what i was thinking. Dogs don't eat everthing we do..
ReplyDogs aren't allergic to grapes. I feed my dog grapes during the summer all the time while i eat them. He's 15 now, and his "life expectancy" was about 12 years and that's pushing it!
ReplyHi Two Cents,
ReplyYour dog may have been able to handle grapes/raisins in the past perhaps due to being larger or having a strong kidney, but it is proven that grapes are toxic to dogs. And it's actually not an "allergy." Even small quantities can cause acute renal failure possibly leading to death. I would stop feeding your pup grapes and opt for another fruit that's ok for dogs, like apples. Even if he has been fine with them til now, it doesn't mean it hasn't stressed his kidneys. He could get ill from them one day out of the blue. Better safe than sorry. :)
You can't guage its safety based on whether it is safe for dogs, that doesn't make any sense. Onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts are all toxic to dogs yet humans eat them all the time. People take tylenol every day but two pills can kill a dog.
ReplyJust remember that many of the results of studies done on the safety of Stevia are taken out of context.
ReplyCould it be that many people would have a lot to lose if Stevia was proven to be safe? Something to think about.
Okay I know I'm going to get into trouble by commenting but here goes: First of all, Christine, brown sugar is nothing but refined white sugar with molasses added to make it brown. But don't get me wrong I like it occassionally myself.
Next, I have been using Stevia for quite a few years now and I have not had any ill effects from it. (although I do notice I have a few green toes, but that could be another issue) A good brand of Stevia should not leave an aftertaste or any other taste. Do not use too much at a time. It is very, very sweet and just takes a little bit to get the desired sweetness without the aftertaste. Get a good brand that is made with a very high quality Stevia and it should make quite a difference in the taste. The cheaper brands sometimes have other added sugars and that would be defeating the purpose.
As far as it doing strange things to the blood sugar, I can eat a slice of whole grain bread and my blood sugar goes through the roof. I have never had Stevia affect it in any way up or down. But whole grain is recommended for a healthy diet and Stevia is not safe! What do they consider safe - high blood sugar?
I also bake with it. It enhances the natural sweetness of fruit fillings and brings out the flavor. I only use one packet for a normal size pie.
As far as the FDA approving its use - I'd rather take my chances on Stevia. After all, look at all of the stuff they have approved and millions of people have died from them thinking they were "safe" because they were approved by the FDA. And lot's of them are still on the market with a stronger warning for safety. If they harmed before the stronger warning wouldn't they harm after the stronger warning also?
That's all I've got to say on this subject today. THanks for listening.
ReplyYou'd better stay away from chocolate then! Chocolate is dangerous to dogs if ingested, too. As is avocado.
ReplyActually, diet coke in japan has been made with stevia for several years...
Spectra:"aspartame hasn't been shown to cause any real problems in people (other than phenylketonuriacs) and I feel... Natural sweeteners aren't always "safe"...some natural herbs are really toxic. Bitter orange extract, cocaine leaves, opium, toadstools, etc...all very natural, not necessarily very healthy."
Where are you getting your info? At least a dozen countries in various parts of the world have approved this for consumers years ago. Not to mention native populations (that no one ever seems to care about, except to appropriate new "discoveries") have been using this for centuries. Coca-cola already uses it(not for us though...) Also..coca leaves are not toxic. Andean people have been using it for centuries to stave off hunger.(it's not even illegal in the US, albeit hard to come by) and poppy seeds are related to opium. obviously you aren't going to put poison ivy in your food, but it's ridiculous how quickly people dismiss so many things on God's Green Earth as unsafe and break their necks to buy the next "substance" that these plastic organizations like the FDA throw at us and have to yank back a year later like a yoyo.
ReplyI'm actually a big fan of stevia myself. I can't tolerate any of the artificial sweeteners at all, but plant extracts don't bother me. I've started using a xylitol sweetened gum occasionally and I really like it (it's non-cavity causing). I have to admit it tastes awful in coffee, but wonderful in tea, and yes a tiny bit goes a LONG way. It also doesn't shoot my blood sugar all over the place. Keep in mind Splenda is chlorinated sugar - and I don't care what anyone says - you do absorb it. Personally I keep in mind that sugar is a LUXURY - I use it as a special treat, and frankly I've gotten very picky about it. I even quit using the stevia in my tea -
So I rambled to my point. USE LESS SWEETENERS!!!! We have NO NEED for ANY processed sugars - our bodies make all the sugars we need from natural foods.
Rant done. Thanks for reading!
ReplyHello. Everyone who drinks diet soda - and wants to avoid aspartame and sucralose - should check out Zevia. It is a TRULY all natural alternative to diet soda. Zevia is sugar free, contains stevia, and has nothing artificial. What's really great is that it and tastes BETTER than diet soda. Right now it is in stores mostly in Washington and Oregon and, soon, I hear it will be available in California and beyond. You can order Zevia on line, too, at zevia.com. The web site also has a form you can print out and take to the grocery store to request it.
ReplyI really wanted to trust Stevia, I love using it when baking, and have a sweet tooth.
I have one very important question: who/what scientific company does testing and is the best non-biased company to trust? Maybe a group of company's would be a good way to get a good answer. Can anyone give me a list of company's that are testing stevia that do not have a bias? Almost every post talk about a test but no one lists the company that did the testing.
I'm particularly concerned about bladder/kidney problems and how stevia/splenda affects health. I'm having prblems with blood in urine and all tests are normal; I am going to stop using stevia and splenda to see if symptoms go away.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated appreciated.
ReplyI have used stevia about less than a quarter teaspoon a day for about 5 months and I believe I developed kidney problems because of it. I feel pain in my both kidney's before I urinate. I have gone to the doctor for kidney infection and my urine test came out negative for infection.
ReplyHere's the problem: Stevia is not recognized by the FDA as a food; it's classified as a herbal supplement. If anyone is interested in the truth about health supplements and the FDA, you need to watch this video at http://youtube.com/watch?v=VmrF9KjlGsc
ReplyI have been using Stevia for over 2 years now,not alot of it but Occassionally in my Ice tea.I am very sensitive to artificial sugars and have had bad reactions to those products.Stevia has not given me any negetive effects at all,if anything I almost seem to feel better when I use it.like I said i only use sparingly in small amounts but no ill effects at all.Its worth trying definately.
ReplyI started using Stevia two weeks ago and give a box to my father(Who is diabetic.) to use as a sweetener.
ReplyI found Stevia to be bitter but I continued using this instead of sugar. I started waking up with headaches and nausea and would be dizzy throughout the day. My father called me this morning and mentioned that he had to stop using Stevia because he had "horrible" headaches. I told him about what has been happening to me the past two weeks. Coincidence?
I have had the same symptoms. Headache dizziness and nausea. Last night while trying to sleep it came to me that the beginning of these awful symptoms coincided with the beginning of my switching to stevia. I've had the whole headache work-up includin MRI with no answer. I will not be using stevia from now on and hope the headches resolve. Thank-you for your info.
ReplyI have used Stevia in the past and Splenda. I am here to tell you that Splenda even in small doses is dangerous. It causes all kinds of problems if used over a long period of time as I have experienced them. Dizziness is one of the side effects I have had and had others tell me they had also. Stevia I think is a matter of what your taste would be. I like the way it taste and I used it for almost a year and never once had any reactions or health problems. I have done a little snooping and Stevia is not something a lot of families have heard of. Part of this is because of the price. I would like to see more information on the Stevia and studies of people using it long term.
Reply