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Still Wondering About Stevia
Just as various publishers are trying to be the one to release the next big "diet" book, many companies are trying to find the next big alternative sweetener for possible use in diet drinks. Some would probably put their money on stevia (stevioside). Here's why:
But I've been more in a "wait and see" mode when it comes to stevia. Just because something is "natural" and comes from a shrub, doesn't mean it is totally safe. After all tobacco would technically be considered "natural", yes?
So far the Food and Drug Administration is still considering stevia "an unsafe food additive" and that data and information necessary to support the safe use of stevia have been lacking. But it's not just about proving it is safe for use in food; it's about also proving that it isn't unsafe.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (non-profit consumer agency based in Washington, DC) lists stevia in the AVOID category in their report on food additives. They note that Canada has not approved stevia and a European Community scientific panel declared stevia unacceptable for use in food. "Studies found that high dosages fed to rats caused reduced sperm production and an increase in cell proliferation in their testicles." CSPI also notes that pregnant hamsters fed large amounts of a derivative of stevia had fewer and smaller babies. Lab studies have suggested that stevia can be converted into a mutagenic compound, possibly promoting cancer by causing mutations in the cells DNA, according to CSPI. I knew we would get to the "C" word sooner or later.
They surmise that small amounts of stevia are probably safe but that "it is inappropriate to endorse wide use of this sweetener" and approving use in soft drinks would definitely be considered "wide" use.
Which basically leaves us all still wondering about stevia, doesn't it?!
Related Topics:Which Artificial Sweetener Is Right For You? All Sugars Are Not the Same
- Stevia has been approved in a dozen other countries including Japan and China
- It sounds "natural" because it comes from a shrub (yerba dulce) that grows in Brazil and Paraguay
- Stevia is about 100 times sweeter than sugar
But I've been more in a "wait and see" mode when it comes to stevia. Just because something is "natural" and comes from a shrub, doesn't mean it is totally safe. After all tobacco would technically be considered "natural", yes?
So far the Food and Drug Administration is still considering stevia "an unsafe food additive" and that data and information necessary to support the safe use of stevia have been lacking. But it's not just about proving it is safe for use in food; it's about also proving that it isn't unsafe.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (non-profit consumer agency based in Washington, DC) lists stevia in the AVOID category in their report on food additives. They note that Canada has not approved stevia and a European Community scientific panel declared stevia unacceptable for use in food. "Studies found that high dosages fed to rats caused reduced sperm production and an increase in cell proliferation in their testicles." CSPI also notes that pregnant hamsters fed large amounts of a derivative of stevia had fewer and smaller babies. Lab studies have suggested that stevia can be converted into a mutagenic compound, possibly promoting cancer by causing mutations in the cells DNA, according to CSPI. I knew we would get to the "C" word sooner or later.
They surmise that small amounts of stevia are probably safe but that "it is inappropriate to endorse wide use of this sweetener" and approving use in soft drinks would definitely be considered "wide" use.
Which basically leaves us all still wondering about stevia, doesn't it?!
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12 Comments:
"Which basically leaves us all still wondering about stevia, doesn't it?!"
Well, if you are going to take such a corrupt organization as the FDA's word about it... then yeah. Remember, they are the ones who after years and years of safe use in the USA suddenly decided after Monsanto (G.D. Searle) got aspartame (the most complained about food additive ever) approved, that stevia was not safe for use as a food additive.
THey are the ones who said when asked what studies they would like to see said "when we see the studies we'll know". They are the ones who said "If we want to make carrots illegal, we can do it."
So if you want to believe such a corrupt and amoral government agency... then yeah it "basically leaves us all still wondering about stevia,"
And why did you not mention China, Japan, Paraguay, Brazil, Korea and other countries have all approved stevia and the white powder extract stevioside as safe food additives?
Why didn't you mention the British were planning on using it as a table top sweetener (food additive) during World War 2.
And for your information, Stevia is fine to sell and use as a food in Canada. It is the white powder... stevioside that one inspector, and I emphasize one single lonely inspector had a problem with. Why? Payola? or is it really because it is an extract? Only he and his bank account can tell.
Oh, one last thing... pure stevioside (stevia extract) has 0 calories, 0 carbohydrates, 0 fat. And if extracted properly, and from the correct parts of the plant it will not have a bitter, licorice, and/or grassy taste. The poor taste comes from using parts of the stevia rebaudiana bertoni plant that should not be used.
not only that, stevia has no glycemic index and isn't related to sugar at all. in fact, it lowers blood sugar and is great for diabetics. it's also good for people with digestive problems, as it helps balance your your digestive system. perhaps stevia is illegal because the companies that produce it can't buy off the government the way the sweetener and sugar companies can.
I have a question for all: when did the FDA admit that steroids actually were anabolic, and caused muscle growth? In the 70s, when Arnold and other bodybuilders really got massive? The '60s, when use became prevalent? Nope, not until 1986. That's right. Until 1986, Arnold and Co. were just waisting their time, and hurting themselves! (I know Anabolics are dangerous, but they also work!)
This told me a lot about the FDA...
like truth didn't matter.
Stevia is safe and also a healthy alternative to artificial sweeteners. Zevia is a new beverage using stevia. Zevia is a natural alternative to diet soda. Zevia is an ideal beverage for diabetics and health conscious consumers. Moreover, there are no artificial sweeteners, flavoring, or coloring. There are three flavors natural cola, orange, and twist. All three are sugar and carbohydrate free.
"Just because something is "natural" and comes from a shrub, doesn't mean it is totally safe. After all tobacco would technically be considered natural, yes?"
You are silly. You have left out that it has been used for 100's of years. As has tobacco and tobacco has proven to be UNSAFE after hundreds of years.
Big Difference. But you REALLY big SICK problem is that you live in America but think the Federal government has any business deciding what i can or cannot EAT. I understand they should make sure things are CLEAN and disease free.. but.. my god.. SAFE is so vague.
Raw Milk is illegal in most states. This is a clear sign that government has gone TO BLEEPING FAR
MILK is ILLEGAL
so. the FDA can shove the constitution you know where... oops.. its obviously already in such a dark place NO ONE CAN FIND IT!
I have been using stevia extract white powder in my food, and dried leaf in my tea every day for over 10 years and I have not had any problems. I switched to stevia because I was diagnosed as near a type 2 diabetic, well on my way to becoming a full diabetic because of sugar. Now I am healthy, thanks to me searching on the net for alternative sweetener and discovering stevia I'm ok today. Sugar in my opinion should be banned and stevia allowed. I would be willing to be medically examined to further the cause that stevia is safe.
Billy Jack Dial
Acworth GA.
Is it not true that the japanese have been using stevia in a wide variety of products for a few decades?
Stevia-based sweeteners have been used in Japan since the 1970s – ever since that country banned artificial sweeteners. To this date, after being used by tens of millions of people for more than 40 years, there has not been a single consumer complaint about Stevia.
You can try SweetLeaf Sweetener for free. Just send in two packets of ANY sweetener you use and they’ll send you two packets of SweetLeaf to try. The address to mail it to is:
Wisdom Natural Brands
Sweetener Trade-In Coordinator
1203 W. San Pedro St.
Gilbert, AZ 85233
Just another typical article from someone who thinks she is so smart, an "expert" opinion. I hear this same nonsense from a pharmacist I know who thinks that because he went through a decade or more of indoctrination in pharmacy school that he knows everything. These types of people trust corrupt groups like the FDA, CDC, CPSI, XYZ, etc. as if these agencies were an oracle of absolute truth. The "risks" or "questions" about stevia are utter nonsense. When hundreds of thousands of people are injured from the toxic affects of aspartame and we don't hear a peep from the FDA, that quack agency deserves zero respect. I have used stevia for years and my those in my family for even longer. It is safe, delicious, and actually has health benefits like improved digestion. Don't believe these "experts" who only know what they were programmed to regurgitate, basically the talking points of Monsanto, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, and the rest of the criminal cabal that seeks to eliminate everything that is natural, effective, and healthy and replace it with toxic chemical cash cows. To sum it up, this blog note is a joke. The only thing I'm "still wondering" about is how someone can be so brainwashed as to write this type of garbage.
I read over my note after I posted and realized that I was a bit snarky. I apologize for personally insulting Elaine about this subject. I am disappointed in her lack of thorough research on this subject, painting stevia as dangerous. However being nasty about it towards her was not appropriate.
This is all sweet what she said . I have only few words.
They want to inject us with something that helps against N1H1 virus...Never tested and its aproved.
They are seling tobaco and on box it is writen Smoke causes cancer ... Aproved
Everyone know aspartame,studys say not healty but you can buy.Aproved
Alcohol,how many people die cose beeing drunk making acciedent and die, or beeing alcoholic ? Aproved
I think I can name 100 more things That are aproved and aproved to NOT BE HEALTI.
Now compare stevia with only this few...
100 years testing and they cant find nothing wrong all around the world,big brains.They say on rats tested and consuming much stevia you wont be able to make baby ? Yea they put in rats that much as you drink 1000L stevia in 1 day.If you can drink that then dont use stevia.Howe many people died in world becouse of stevia ? In 10000 years NONE,but how many died in WAR ? And about war ...Aproved,lets kill some mans around world but donttt you use stevia you will be unable to....? To do WHAT ?
Hope I was understanding
and thanks for reading :)
More recent evidence has led to FDA acceptance of rebaudioside A, a sweet compound purified from stevia. I am using small smounts of stevia purified liquid concentrate as a sweetener and flavor enhancer in my homemade fruit-ade sports drinks.
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