General health related questions about stevia

Does Stevia Cause Belly Fat?

Stevia has a low calorie and carbohydrate content, two characteristics that may increase the risk of belly obesity (fat). It may help with weight loss when used to replace 45 calories of sugar intake per tablespoon, according to the US Department of Agriculture. We can’t overlook the fact that, although not raising blood sugar levels, the sweetener is likely to cause an insulin response due to its sweet taste.

Stevia has yet to be identified as a contributing factor in belly fat. However, a 2008 study on the effects of additional stevia leaves and stevioside in broiler diets might be worth mentioning. While eating organic stevia sweetener lowers blood glucose, triiodothyronine, and triglycerides, it has no effect on non-esterified fatty acids, according to the study. Furthermore, stevia leaves and a stevioside diet significantly increased belly fat, according to the research. To properly understand the relationship between stevia and abdominal obesity, more research is needed.

Is Stevia Bad for Inflammation?

Inflammation is a crucial factor in the genesis of many diseases, and it has become a critical therapeutic target in pharmacological treatments. Natural compounds derived from plants have played a significant role in medicine development through the years.

Stevia rebaudiana is a plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family and is used as a natural sweetener on a big scale. Researchers have begun to detect other bioactive potential uses of stevia, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, which are provided by chemicals found in the leaves, such as stevioside, rebaudioside, and isosteviol. So, at the end stevia is not bad for inflammation.

Is Stevia Bad for Your liver?

Sugar consumption is known to harm the liver, thus lowering sugar consumption — or substituting sweeteners for sugar — is likely to lessen the risk of liver disease.

Although sucralose provided some benefits for the pancreas, according to the researchers’ chosen measures of liver health, it had no benefits for the liver.

However, they discovered that stevia extract has a lot of health benefits. The findings revealed that stevia reduced glucose levels and enhanced insulin sensitivity in rats, implying that the molecule aids blood sugar regulation.

Stevia also improved numerous fatty liver disease markers, such as total fat levels and liver scarring. These effects were notable in that they were unaffected by weight fluctuations. Reduced cellular stress and alterations in the bacterial flora lining the gut could be the mechanisms at work.

Dr. Rohit Kohli (senior author of the study and chief of the hospital’s Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.) agrees that more research is needed to properly comprehend the clinical implications of the findings. ⁽¹⁾

Does Stevia Spike Insulin?

Stevia is perfect for folks who are concerned about their blood sugar levels and calorie intake because it is blood sugar friendly and calorie-free. However, according to a study published in the Journal of Functional Foods in October 2019, it may have other benefits, such as improving insulin function. Stevia appears to have a good effect on how glucose enters cells and may even stimulate insulin release, according to research.

Stevia may also help you feel fuller, which means you’re less prone to overeat, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition in June 2012. Only a few human experiments have been undertaken on stevia’s relationship with reducing blood glucose levels. To fully comprehend how stevia impacts insulin function and blood sugar levels, more research is required.

Does Stevia Kill Gut Bacteria?

According to researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), the natural sweetener stevia may cause a microbial imbalance in the gut. The findings were just published in Molecules, a leading international peer-reviewed journal of chemistry.

Stevia is a low-calorie natural sweetener that is becoming increasingly popular in food and beverage items. It is usually regarded safe. However, new scientific evidence links the sweetener to a microbial imbalance in the stomach, which can cause a variety of gastrointestinal problems.

Stevia, according to the latest research, may interfere with communication between bacteria in the gut microbiome. While stevia suppressed these pathways, it did not kill the bacterium, according to the researchers.

Can Stevia Cause Anxiety?

Stevia may impact the production of hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain. For example, Dopamine and serotonin are crucial neurotransmitters in the natural control of mood and have a significant impact on feelings of happiness and pleasure. When these molecules are blocked, you may have greater feelings of sadness and depression.

Stevia decreases the release of dopamine and serotonin, it may exacerbate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and uneasiness.

Is Stevia Good for Diabetes?

Stevia is a sugar substitute with a low-calorie count. The FDA considers stevia products to be generally safe since they include a highly refined extract from the stevia plant.

Some scientific research suggests that stevia may help people avoid diabetes or regulate their blood sugar levels if they already have it.

Does Stevia Lower Testosterone?

In a study on prepubertal male rats, continuous administration of a Stevia rebaudiana aqueous extract for 60 days resulted in a reduction in the ultimate weight of the testis, seminal vesicle, and cauda epididymidis.

In addition, the fructose content of the accessory sex glands and the concentration of epididymal sperm are reduced. Stevia treatment reduced plasma testosterone levels, possibly due to a hypothesized affinity of the extract’s glycosides for a specific androgen receptor, but had no effect on luteinizing hormone levels. These findings support the hypothesis that Stevia extracts may reduce male rats’ fertility.

Can Stevia Raise Blood Pressure?

Stevia is a vasodilator, meaning it causes blood arteries to open and lowers overall blood pressure. Researchers have only looked into the possible positive elements of its application thus far.

Excessive, long-term usage of anything that deliberately decreases blood pressure can lead to health issues.

Does Stevia Cause Constipation?

The flavor, as with most nonnutritive sweeteners, is a big drawback. Stevia has a faint, licorice-like flavor with a hint of bitterness. Some people appreciate it, while others find it repulsive. Some people may experience digestive issues from stevia products containing sugar alcohols, such as bloating and diarrhea.