Is The Sugar Substitute Stevia Bad For Our Health?

[Julieanne]

Erika Watts
December 10 2020

New research into the plant-based sweetener stevia indicates that the sugar substitute may have negative implications for gut health.

People use sugar substitutes as a way to reduce their sugar intake. Excess sugar consumption can cause weight gain, lead to diabetes, and contribute to inflammation in the body.
For this reason, researchers have worked to find the perfect replacement that tastes like real sugar and is safe to consume.
Scientists have considered stevia a safe sugar alternative for years, but a new study raises the question of whether it can be harmful to gut health.

Read more: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/art...&apid=28940830

[Islander]

Well the sugar industry may do what it likes but it had better not take my Stevia away. I use very little of it and I doubt that that modest amount will interfere with any conversations that my gut bacteria may be having. Meanwhile, it has essentially helped cure my diabetes… So thank you, Stevia!

[grulla]

Likewise, as I have completely weened myself of the necessity of using ANY kind of sweeteners. There is still an eyedropper bottle of Stevia in the fridge that hasn't been used for quite a few years now, ever since I stopped making all those home made frozen yogurts, due to my calcified carotid arteries problem. And I keep a few packets of sugar handy for any guests, though I don't encourage that. Organic maple syrup and locally produced honey from my co-op are also in the fridge but rarely ever used. Also, fruit (fructose) consumption is very limited.

I might add that my lifelong autistic disabled SIL next door, has learned to do likewise, though she still requires constant dietary supervision so as not to fall back into bad nutritional eating habits, as she is somewhat overweight. I have provided her with Vits. C sodium ascorbate, as well as D3 and K2-MK7 which she seems to take reliably, but oversight is still required.

[Islander]

OG Maple syrup and raw local honey have nutrients that pose absolutely no threat to someone who is avoiding all other sweeteners. I wouldn't hesitate to enjoy either or both from time to time with no guilt and no regrets!

[BandsAiud]

I'm using honey and muscovado as my sweeteners. I'm hearing alot of good reviews to stevia. My niece even used a whey protein shake that were based on stevia. So far, I have not known any bad reactions of using it for a longer time as a substitute to other most common sweeteners.

[Islander]

I've been using Stevia for the past 30 years or more so I can attest to its benefits without any disadvantages at all. And when you are a diabetic, as I am, and need to avoid all sugars, this is truly the only safe alternative to chemical sugar substitutes, cane sugar, coconut sugar, honey, molasses, maple syrup and especially to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

[Islander]

And the icing on the cake: my Filipina sister-in-law respected my wishes not to have any Christmas gifts at all, but especially no stuff. I have already too much stuff and I'm trying to get rid of stuff so as not to burden my survivors with getting rid of a lot of useless stuff that no one wants. But wanting to give me something, what do you suppose my creative SIL sent me for Christmas? That's right — a basketball-sized package of a lifetime supply of Stevia!

[Julieanne]

May you live long enough to use it all!

[Islander]

Thank you for the kind wish, Julie, I surely hope I do!