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Side Effects of Stevia You Should Know

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Unlike many other sugar substitutes, stevia is all-natural and derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, a relative of daisies native to Paraguay and Brazil. Stevia is 200 times sweeter than regular sugar. Because of this, it is often used as a natural, calorie-free alternative to sugar. It comes in both tablet and crystal form and is used as everything from a weight loss aid to a safe sweetener for diabetics. While stevia is generally safe for consumption, it does have side effects that are worth understanding.

Health Risks of Whole Leaf Crude Stevia

The United States Food Administration (FDA) only considers high-purity steviol glycosides extracted from the stevia bush as safe for human consumption. Whole leaf stevia products and crude extracts are available as dietary supplements, but there is inadequate information on the long-term effects these forms stevia can have on your health. They are not approved by the FDA and are more likely than regulated stevia to cause side effects.

Digestive Risks of Stevia

Stevia is broken down by bacteria in the large intestine. Gastrointestinal issues have not been reported from stevia alone, but they can arise from the added sugar alcohols often found in stevia extracts. Sugar alcohol is used to separate the steviol glycosides from the leaf, and it can be found within the finished product.

Common gastrointestinal side effects include:

Nausea Vomiting Cramping Bloating Indigestion

Patients with pre-existing conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may experience a worsening of symptoms from stevia. If gastrointestinal side effects occur, it's important to stop use and discuss the side effects of stevia with your doctor.

Kidney Damage Risks From Stevia

When stevia first came to the market in 2005, researchers were concerned that it would lead to kidney damage. Stevia is a diuretic, speeding up the rate at which your body expels both electrolytes and water from your body through urine. It was thought that stevia could cause damage to the kidneys, which create and filter urine, by overworking them. However, more recent studies conclude that stevia may prevent kidney damage. According to a 2013 study, stevia may actually reduce cyst growth within kidney cells.

Possible Allergic Reactions to Stevia

While the risk of having an allergic reaction is low, it can still happen. According to a 2015 review of stevia, there were a few cases where mild to extreme allergic reactions occurred after exposure to the substance. The possibility of an allergic reaction is highest in hypersensitive individuals, but both the FDA and European Commission conclude that an allergic reaction can happen to anyone. Serious symptoms of an allergic reaction to stevia include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, swollen throat or tongue and antiepileptic shock. Less serious symptoms include rashes, hives and a general feeling of being unwell.

Low Blood Sugar and Stevia

Long-term heavy use of stevia can cause low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. While it can help control blood sugar in diabetics, researchers believe that long-term use can cause low blood sugar levels in those who already have lower than normal blood sugar. Due to this risk, it's advised that people with lower than average blood sugar avoid using stevia altogether or closely monitor any symptoms they experience.

Stevia Causing Low Blood Pressure

Stevia acts as a natural vasodilator, causing the blood vessels to widen and lower blood pressure. While researchers hope to harness this property of stevia as a potential remedy for people with high blood pressure, it can cause serious complications for those with low blood pressure. With excessive, long-term use of stevia, the risk of health complications is real. Anyone suffering from low blood pressure should speak to their doctor before using stevia supplements.

Researchers are currently studying the positive aspects of stevia and the benefits it can provide for certain individuals, but it still shouldn't be consumed in forms that aren't approved by the FDA without caution. While stevia can aid in weight loss, consider the risk factors and watch for any symptoms that may arise if you choose to consume stevia as party of your daily diet.

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