Is stevia a healthy sweetener?

Stevia is often touted as a safe and healthy sugar substitute that can sweeten up foods without the negative health effects linked to refined sugar. It’s also associated with several impressive health benefits, such as reduced calorie intake, blood sugar levels, and risk of cavities ( 1 , 2 , 3 ).

What are the dangers of using stevia?

Potential side effects linked to stevia consumption include:

  • Kidney damage.
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • Allergic reaction.
  • Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Endocrine disruption.

Is stevia a better alternative to sugar?

If you have prediabetes or diabetes, artificial sweeteners and stevia are preferable to real sugar. “Artificial sweeteners will not immediately raise your blood sugar like real sugar,” Taylor says. Sugar substitutes may cause you to crave more sweet and sugary foods.

Is stevia safer than artificial sweeteners?

Splenda and stevia are popular and versatile sweeteners that won’t add calories to your diet. Both are generally considered safe to use, yet research on their long-term health effects is ongoing. While no evidence suggests that either is unsafe, it appears that purified stevia is associated with the fewest concerns.

What is the best alternative for sugar?

6 best alternatives to sugar

  1. Xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is extracted from corn or birch wood and has a sweetness very similar to sugar.
  2. Stevia.
  3. Monk fruit sweetener.
  4. Coconut sugar.
  5. Honey.
  6. Maple syrup.

Can stevia make you gain weight?

Remember that while sugar substitutes, such as refined stevia preparations, may help with weight management, they aren’t a magic bullet and should be used only in moderation. If you eat too many sugar-free foods, you can still gain weight if these foods have other ingredients that contain calories.

Why did they ban stevia?

Though widely available throughout the world, in 1991 stevia was banned in the U.S. due to early studies that suggested the sweetener may cause cancer.