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Stevia: The Next Chapter?
The Center for Science in The Public Interest (CSPI) gave stevia (a "natural" alternative sweetener) the "everyone should avoid" distinction in their recent article on food additives (Nutrition Action Healthletter May 2008). This caught my attention because stevia is seemingly the "up and coming" new sweetener on the block. They do say that small amounts are probably safe but that high doses fed to rats reduced sperm production and increased cell proliferation in their testicles.
Here's the thing though...up until now Stevia could only technically be sold in the U.S. as a dietary supplement, which is why you haven't heard more about it yet.
But a bunch of studies were just released to support the approval being sought from FDA to use a stevia-derived sweetener (Truvia) in foods. From what I could tell, most or all of the studies were funded by the parent company seeking approval (which I supposed is to be expected).
The Center for Science in The Public Interest (CSPI) is currently looking through the Truvia studies recently released but David Schardt, Senior Nutritionist for CSPI, so far has said that maybe Cargill/Coca-Cola (the parent company), has developed a safe stevia food additive.
While I wait for CSPI's response, here is my two cents: While I totally concede that America seems to want yet another alternative sweetener to choose from, no matter what the alternative sweetener, I would still urge moderation. I think alternative sweeteners, in general, trick our body by having our taste buds taste sweetness and yet the body doesn't get the carbohydrates absorbed in the bloodstream that the body then expects. For some people I suspect this can bring on cravings or overeating later perhaps. Probably not an issue (doesn't have this effect) in smaller amounts (like one diet soda a day.) But there are people who have countless diet sodas a day plus food and treats sweetened with alternative sweeteners. "Diet" sodas or drinks also then displace more healthful beverages like green tea, water, or nonfat or lowfat milk.
More to come on stevia... stay tuned!
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: stevia, Truvia, sweeteners, healthy diet
Here's the thing though...up until now Stevia could only technically be sold in the U.S. as a dietary supplement, which is why you haven't heard more about it yet.
But a bunch of studies were just released to support the approval being sought from FDA to use a stevia-derived sweetener (Truvia) in foods. From what I could tell, most or all of the studies were funded by the parent company seeking approval (which I supposed is to be expected).
The Center for Science in The Public Interest (CSPI) is currently looking through the Truvia studies recently released but David Schardt, Senior Nutritionist for CSPI, so far has said that maybe Cargill/Coca-Cola (the parent company), has developed a safe stevia food additive.
While I wait for CSPI's response, here is my two cents: While I totally concede that America seems to want yet another alternative sweetener to choose from, no matter what the alternative sweetener, I would still urge moderation. I think alternative sweeteners, in general, trick our body by having our taste buds taste sweetness and yet the body doesn't get the carbohydrates absorbed in the bloodstream that the body then expects. For some people I suspect this can bring on cravings or overeating later perhaps. Probably not an issue (doesn't have this effect) in smaller amounts (like one diet soda a day.) But there are people who have countless diet sodas a day plus food and treats sweetened with alternative sweeteners. "Diet" sodas or drinks also then displace more healthful beverages like green tea, water, or nonfat or lowfat milk.
More to come on stevia... stay tuned!
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: stevia, Truvia, sweeteners, healthy diet
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