Stevia: the Natural Sweetener

Nutrition, Health, and Wellness SCI1288
Lori Gaik
September 12, 2013
Week 2-Sweetner

I have chosen Stevia to research. It is a natural sweetener that is has been in use for centuries by Guarani Indians and hundreds of years by South Americans. But it has only been since 2008 that the FDA has allowed it as a food additive. As well as granting it Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status to Rebaudioside A, a chemical that makes it sweet. Before this it was only seen as a dietary supplement. It is originally from Paraguay. Many countries have used stevia for many years to not only sweet their foods and beverages but as for medical uses as well. Diabetes and high blood pressure are two of many health conditions Stevia is supposed to help. It grows year round and is derived from leaves from the Stevia shrub. This natural sweetener is said to be 250-400 times sweeter than granulated sugar and does not raise blood glucose levels so it is suitable for diabetics. A qualitative analysis of the chemical compound of the essential oil obtained from the Stevia leaves identified 88 compounds, with the majority being mono- and sesquiterpenes. There is a presence of fatty acids and sterols when the ethyl acetate extracts were analyzed. Not only is Stevia used to sweeten foods and beverages but it also is used to treat diabetes, lower high blood pressure, used as a weight loss aid, lowers uric acid levels, and prevents heartburn. Stevia increases the strength of muscle contractions that pump blood to the heart. The few warnings on this alternative natural sweetener include taking Stevia decreases how well the body gets rid of lithium, which increases how much lithium in the body. This could result in serious side effects such as bloating, nausea, dizziness, muscle pain, and numbness. In people with type 2 diabetes taking Stevia with the medication can lower blood sugar too much. This can also happen with a person with high blood pressure. The medication and Stevia can lower the blood pressure too much. But they are not too sure if this is a big concern. The main cause of obesity is energy imbalance resulting from an increase intake of calories from foods that are high in fat and sugar. The identified source of extra calories is from the consumption of sweetened foods and beverages. Stevia is calorie free and has not carbohydrates or glycemic load. It can lower blood sugar levels and insulin response. This results in more metabolic and hormonal control of hunger, which means you feel full longer and have less cravings for other empty calorie foods. There is a promotion of fat deposition which results in a reduced risk of obesity and chronic diseases. All in all, Stevia, the alternative natural sweetener for food and beverages is a healthier choice of sweeteners that are on the market today.

References:

Web M.D. Stevia. Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-sideeffectssupplements/ingredientmono-682-interactionsSTEVIA.aspx?

Kitchen dictionary: Stevia. Retrieved from: http://www.food.com/library/stevia-779

Chemical Composition of Leaf Extracts. Retrieved from: www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0352_5139/2008/0352.pdf

Cohen, Michel. (2010). Beating Obesity: One Calorie at a Time. Retrieved from: http://www.globalsteviainstitute.com/en/Default/ResourceLibrary/Articles/BeatingObesityOneCalorieataTime.aspx

References: Web M.D. Stevia. Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-sideeffectssupplements/ingredientmono-682-interactionsSTEVIA.aspx? Kitchen dictionary: Stevia. Retrieved from: http://www.food.com/library/stevia-779 Chemical Composition of Leaf Extracts. Retrieved from: www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0352_5139/2008/0352.pdf Cohen, Michel. (2010). Beating Obesity: One Calorie at a Time. Retrieved from: http://www.globalsteviainstitute.com/en/Default/ResourceLibrary/Articles/BeatingObesityOneCalorieataTime.aspx