When stevia first hit the markets in 2008, it seemed too good to be true. An all-natural sugar substitute with zero calories, that was even sweeter than sugar. The hope was stevia could aid in weight loss and diabetes management without sacrificing taste. In reality, the sugar substitute had its ups and downs. At some point, it was even banned in the US, due to concerns it could be carcinogenic. Later studies refuted these claims, but there is still an air of confusion around stevia. Is stevia bad for us? What are the benefits and what are the side effects? We rounded up the answers as per professional nutritionists.
Stevia is derived from components of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. Unlike sugar, stevia is a non-nutritive sweetener, which means it can aid weight management in the short term. There are also potential benefits for people who suffer from diabetes, as stevia stimulates a protein that is involved in the release of insulin after a meal.
On the other hand, studies have found that people may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, bloating, and even diarrhea when consuming large amounts of stevia on a regular basis.
The bottom line is, stevia is generally regarded as safe when used in acceptable quantities, and it does have some potential health benefits. Because there is no sufficient research on long-term health outcomes, moderation is key when it comes to non-nutritive alternatives, like stevia.
