Is Stevia Safe for Diabetes?
Stevia has garnered attention with the rise in demand for low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternatives. Stevia also has shown promise in medical research for treating such conditions as obesity and high blood pressure. Stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose, even enhancing glucose tolerance; therefore, it is attractive as a natural sweetener to diabetics and others on carbohydrate-controlled diets. Studies showed no adverse effects of steviol glycosides when taken at doses of about 4 mg per day. In December 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) stated it had no objection to the conclusion of an expert panel that rebaudioside A is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use as a general purpose sweetener. Prior to this, stevia-based ingredients were only permitted for use as a dietary supplement in the U.S. Scientific data on steviol glycosides, including rebaudioside A (used in rebiana) and concluded that they are safe for their intended use – to sweeten foods an
