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When you want to add a pinch of sweet taste to your food or drinks without the pitfalls of sugar, you may find yourself turning to sugar alternatives like stevia. Acceptable daily intakes aren't the same everywhere. Automatic detention of stevia leaves, extract of stevia leaves, and food containing stevia. Consuming too much stevia may lead to nausea, bloating, dizziness, muscle pain, and numbness. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Development of rebiana, a natural, non-caloric sweetener. CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. Some sugar substitutes also are sold on their own in packets or other containers. That makes sugar-free sweeteners popular among people with diabetes, who need to monitor blood sugar levels closely. The FDA and food safety agencies in other countries also suggest how much of a sugar substitute you can safely have each day. Since there's a variety of stevia products out there, ranging from pure stevia powder to liquid drops and extract, it's possible other sweeteners or products have been added to those mixes. Theres some evidence to suggest that stevia may help fight or prevent some types of cancer. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, Getting Help for a Loved One With Psychosis: It's Complicated, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, December 17, 2008. Wasuntarawat C, Temcharoen P, Toskulkao C, et al. Metabolically activated steviol, the aglycone of stevioside, is mutagenic. Stevioside may also help decrease some mitochondrial pathways that help cancer grow. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2008;51:37-41. Stevia, also called Stevia rebaudiana, is a plant that is a member of the chrysanthemum family, a subgroup of the Asteraceae family (ragweed family). Available at: https://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~rdb/opa-gn08.html. If you are concerned about the potential side effects of stevia, research shows that it is safe to consume and unlikely to cause side effects in most people. muscle cramps. Stevia: Generic, Uses, Side Effects, Dosages, Interaction - RxList Lohner S, Toews I, Meerpohl JJ. Advertisements 3. These ingredients may get your tastebuds used to sweetness. View abstract. Lemus-Mondaca R, Vega-Galvez A, Zura-Bravo L, Ah-Hen K. Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, source of a high-potency natural sweetener: A comprehensive review on the biochemical, nutritional and functional aspects. Study participants consumed 20 milliliters of stevia extract daily for one month. Metabolism 2003;52(3):372-378. Chaturvedula, V. S., Rhea, J., Milanowski, D., Mocek, U., and Prakash, I. Consuming too few carbohydrates can lead to low blood sugar, leading to headaches, dizziness, shaking, and other symptoms. This is a common mystery with herbal products. Forms include: Stevia is much sweeter than sugar and may be up to 250300 times sweeter than sucrose, the molecule in table sugar. View abstract. But these also are forms of added sugar. Stevia Vs. Sucralose | Healthy Eating | SF Gate Common potentially harmful chemicals found in stevia products include: When consumed at low doses, purified stevia is generally not considered to pose health risks for pregnant people. A 2020 study found that people with type 2 diabetes who drank 1 cup of stevia-sweetened tea per day for 8 weeks had no significant changes in their blood glucose levels. Be sure to consume pure extract stevia that's considered safe, and eat it as part of a more balanced diet. Splenda: Is it safe? - Medical News Today Description and Brand Names - Mayo Clinic - Mayo Clinic J Ethnopharmacol 1999;67:157-61. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Both have pros and cons, but is one better for you? Accessed Nov. 14, 2022. (2015). A review on the improvement of stevia [Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni). However, the FDA has not approved stevia leaf and crude stevia extracts for use in food. It varies by a person's weight and the type of sugar substitute used. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/basics/weightloss-basics/hlv-20049483. It is based on significant research. Geuns, J. M., Buyse, J., Vankeirsbilck, A., and Temme, E. H. Metabolism of stevioside by healthy subjects. There's concern that raw stevia herb may harm your kidneys, reproductive system, and cardiovascular system. Stevia (Pure Via, Truvia) Artificial sweeteners are also called sugar substitutes, low-calorie sweeteners or nonnutritive sweeteners. Can ice cream really be healthy? World Health Organization. Stevia: Health Benefits and Risks - WebMD Uncontrolled Blood Sugar: How Dangerous Is It. You can grow stevia plants at home and use the leaves to sweeten foods and beverages. Mayo Clinic. The Pros and Cons of Artificial Sweeteners, Artificial Sweeteners and Type 2 Diabetes. 2016;2016:5967907. Dangers of Stevia | LoveToKnow Health & Wellness Pediatrics. Effect of Stevia rebaudiana on glucose tolerance in normal adult humans. Evaluation of the genotoxicity of stevioside and steviol using six in vitro and one in vivo mutagenicity assays. Food Chem Toxicol 2008;46 Suppl 7:S83-91. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers stevia leaf extract safe for consumption, and it is unlikely to cause side effects in most people. It's possible this is because people who consume a lot of sweet food or drinks in general even those with NSSs experience a greater craving for sweeter and unhealthy foods. If you experience anything unusual with using stevia, it is always wise to contact your physician. Though research on the long-term effects of stevia is limited, there is no evidence that it causes cancer. Artificial sweeteners can be a short-term way to help some people lessen their use of sugar and lose or manage weight. People who may be more likely to experience side effects from stevia include people taking medications to lower blood pressure or blood glucose or those diagnosed with: Stevia leaf extract is safe to consume when pregnant or breastfeeding. Food Chem. This article discusses the different forms of stevia and the side effects of this sugar alternative. DOI: Azad MB, et al. stevia taxes the adrenals: Another response to stevia that some experience is hypoglycemia. Apparent lack of pharmacological effect of steviol glycosides used as sweeteners in humans. High doses or heavy, long-term use of stevia may worsen common pregnancy symptoms by increasing the workload on organs such as the kidneys, bladder, and heart. Yadav, A. Mkinen KK. But other things people do, or healthy habits that people don't do, may be the cause of the higher risk. Int J Obes (Lond). What's the difference between juicing and blending? Artificial sweeteners: Any effect on blood sugar? - Mayo Clinic Is Stevia Safe? 6 Side Effects That Give You The Answer - STYLECRAZE Profiles Drug Subst Excip Relat Methodol. Health agencies have clarified that sugar substitutes do not cause serious health problems. 2019;11(12):3036. Stevia is a sugar substitute made from the leaves of the stevia plant. AlDeeb OA, Mahgoub H, Foda NH. As a type of steroid, steviol glycosides can interfere with hormones controlled by the endocrine system. That's because sugar substitutes often are low in calories or have no calories. Effects of stevioside on glucose transport activity in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant rat skeletal muscle. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov. Kinghorn, A. D., Soejarto, D. D., Nanayakkara, N. P., Compadre, C. M., Makapugay, H. C., Hovanec-Brown, J. M., Medon, P. J., and Kamath, S. K. A phytochemical screening procedure for sweet ent-kaurene glycosides in the genus Stevia. One 2010 study of 19 healthy, lean participants and 12 obese participants found that stevia significantly lowered insulin and glucose levels. (2015). Sucralose is derived from sugar in a chemical process and is 400700 times sweeter than sugar. Although stevia is considered safe for people with diabetes, brands that contain dextrose or maltodextrin should be treated with caution. The study notes that its compounds, stevioside and rebaudioside, are up to 200 times sweeter than sugar. Still, ingredients that fall under the natural flavor umbrella may be highly processed. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled. So it's still unclear exactly what potential stevia side effects may occur from routine consumption of the sweetener. D'Agostino, M., De Simone, F., Pizza, C., and Aquino, R. [Sterols in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni]. View abstract. You can bake with stevia, although it may give cakes and cookies a licorice aftertaste. 1. Stevia is a non-nutritive or zero-calorie sweetener made of steviol glycosides. View abstract. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. How stevia may help to control blood sugar. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Learn more about stevia side effects to educate yourself on how to incorporate sweeteners into your diet. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Stevioside induced ROS-mediated apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 [Abstract]. Stevia sweeteners are broken down by bacteria in the large intestine, but gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating and diarrhea haven't been reported in studies. Principles and methods for the risk assessment of chemicals. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of M S, M P, E T, et al. People thought that artificial sweeteners wouldn't have the same effect. mood swings Read more The 5 Best (and Worst) Sweeteners You Can Eat - Cleveland Clinic Takasaki, M., Konoshima, T., Kozuka, M., Tokuda, H., Takayasu, J., Nishino, H., Miyakoshi, M., Mizutani, K., and Lee, K. H. Cancer preventive agents. View abstract. DOI: Sharma N, et al. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Is this how abdominal fat leads to diabetes? Anything that actively lowers blood pressure can cause health complications with excessive, long-term use. And it may also interact with drugs like lithium. A snack labeled low sugar or no sugar may not be the most nutritious choice. However, like all herbs, they have powerful side-effects. Brusick DJ. Consult your physician before using a product containing stevia. Braz J Med Biol Res 1996;29:669-75. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Some research on long-term, daily use of artificial sweeteners suggests a link to a higher risk of stroke, heart disease and death overall. Ferri LA, Alves-Do-Prado W, Yamada SS, et al. Metabolic effects of non-nutritive sweeteners. Ginkgo biloba has been widely cultivated across the globe for a variety of uses, most of which are medicinal. Stevia stomach upset, however, may be a cause for concern. If you replace added sugar with sugar substitutes, it could lower your risk of getting tooth decay and cavities. However, some people have reported negative side effects, which include: Nausea Bloating Dizziness Numbness Muscle pain Abdominal fullness Allergic reactions such as rashes Hypotension (low blood pressure) But be aware of how sugar substitutes affect your food and drink choices. How Does Stevia Compare to Other Zero-Calorie Sweeteners? A pilot study of repeated exposures in some normotensive and hypotensive individuals and in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. This article explains what whole eating is and shares 11 simple ways clean up your. Stevia Benefits, Types and Potential Side Effects - Dr. Axe Stevia might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." However, the FDA reversed the ban in 1995 after a follow-up study found no connection. More recent studies, however, have concluded that stevia may help prevent kidney damage. The FDA says stevia glycosides, such as Reb-A, are generally recognized as safe. They havent approved whole-leaf stevia or crude stevia extract for use in processed foods and beverages due to a lack of safety information. Liver side effects: Research on the impact of stevia on the liver is preliminary and . Stevia Side Effects Mayo Clinic - Explore Recent Bactericidal activity of a fermented hot-water extract from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni towards enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other food-borne pathogenic bacteria. And if used in moderation, artificial sweeteners can be part of a healthy diet. And it's best to use sugar substitutes for a short time, or just every once in a while. Government health agencies oversee ingredients that product-makers add to food. Influence of stevioside on hepatic glycogen levels in fasted rats. Low blood sugar: Stevia has the potential to lower blood sugar (blood glucose), especially in those using it to replace sugar. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Grembecka, M. (2015). Ajami M, Seyfi M, Abdollah Pouri Hosseini F, et al. Metabolism 2004;53(10):1378-1381. Sugar substitutes are in many kinds of foods and drinks labeled sugar-free or diet. But limit or cut out sugar substitutes: Dietary guidelines for Americans say adults shouldn't give sugar substitutes to children under 2 years old. 2020;28(10):1290-1300. What Are the Negative Effects of Stevia? - MedicineNet So very little is needed to sweeten foods and drinks. View abstract. This content does not have an English version. The study concluded that stevia may act as an endocrine disruptor, or a chemical that can interfere with hormones. May Have Anticancer Abilities Many argue that this means theres nothing natural about them. Sucralose. DOI: Ukiya M, et al. It also may raise your risk of serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. Some positive and others negative. But artificial sweeteners can help some people enjoy sweetness without excess calories. You should add extra liquid or a bulking ingredient such as applesauce or mashed bananas to your recipe to make up for the lost sugar. All rights reserved. Two minor diterpene glycosides from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana. feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings. The FDA considers stevia and its compounds steviol glycosides safe, deeming it "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS). Stevia is used as an artificial sweetener in many foods and beverages, such as tea and juices, and is likely safe for most people. View abstract. 4 Stevia Side Effects: Weighing Stevia's Pros and Cons You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you. Mutagenesis 1996;11:573-9. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. If we combine this information with your protected This means it has almost no calories. View abstract. Baker-Smith C, et al. Bioorg.Med.Chem. Although stevia may help control blood sugar in people with diabetes, it was also once thought that long-term or heavy stevia consumption might cause hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. People take stevia for obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and many. ", Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology: "In Vitro Bioassay Investigations of the Endocrine Disrupting Potential of Steviol Glycosides and Their Metabolite Steviol, Components of the Natural Sweetener Stevia", Harvard Health: "Sweeteners: Time to Rethink Your Choices? Again, to be safe, only use the type of stevia that is considered safe by the FDA (anything that's pure stevia extract rather than crude extracts or the leaf itself). Stevia side effects. Stevia has a slightly bitter flavor that some people don't like. Effect of stevia aqueous extract on the antidiabetic activity of saxagliptin in diabetic rats. However, some may experience the following when consuming products sweetened with stevia: Early studies of stevia suggested it was linked to cancer, causing the initial FDA ban in 1991. Accessed Nov. 11, 2022. Read our. 4. Sucralose administered in feed, beginning prenatally through lifespan, induces hematopoietic neoplasias in male swiss mice. Chronic administration of aqueous extract of Stevia rebaudiana in rats: renal effects. burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings. Is aspartame bad for you? Side effects and health - Medical News Today One of the Stevia side effects is Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar, can be caused due to the increased consumption of Stevia. While adding a raw stevia leaf to a cup of tea now and then is unlikely to cause harm, you shouldnt use it if youre pregnant. Tomita T, Sato N, Arai T, et al. View abstract. If you have diabetes, stevia may help keep your blood sugar levels in check. One way to add some extra flavor and nutrients to your day is by adding prune juice to your diet. Clopidogrel (Oral Route) Side Effects - Mayo Clinic Avicenna J Phytomed. It's about 100 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar, but it has no carbohydrates, calories, or artificial ingredients.. Some stevia side effects include digestive or stomach issues, allergies, an increased risk of weight gain and potential endocrine disruption. In addition to some of stevia's touted benefits as a sugar substitute in helping people lose weight or improve diabetes management, it has been linked to a number of other potential health benefits, though these are still being explored further. This is because stevia can lower blood sugars and blood pressure, and act as a diuretic. 2018;122:132-142. View abstract. Stamataki NS, Scott C, Elliott R, McKie S, Bosscher D, McLaughlin JT. A 2013 study carried out in a laboratory found that stevia reduced cyst growth in kidney cells. Nettleton JE, Klancic T, Schick A, et al. A new study reveals the mechanisms behind, Millions of people routinely consume artificial sweeteners. Since stevia is a plant-based extract, there's some possibility it can cause allergies or irritation in certain people. Certain chemicals in stevia are commonly used as natural food sweeteners. Effects of Stevia Rebaudiana on Glucose Homeostasis, Blood Pressure and Inflammation: A Critical Review of Past and Current Research Evidence. Interestingly, stevia isn't a new discovery either. Matsui M, Matsui K, Kawasaki Y, et al. Is Stevia Safe? | EatingWell Carbohydr.Res 6-1-2011;346(8):1057-1060. J Agric.Food Chem 2-8-2006;54(3):785-789. Stevia use has been shown to help limit and reduce diarrhea and the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). View abstract. Farhat G, Berset V, Moore L. Effects of Stevia Extract on Postprandial Glucose Response, Satiety and Energy Intake: A Three-Arm Crossover Trial. A 2013 study supported these findings. For example, research has shown that stevia extract may improve glucose tolerance in people with diabetes, and even in those without diabetes, according to a small study with 97 participants published in August 2018 in Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications. A double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effectiveness and tolerability of oral stevioside in human hypertension. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Available Health Products from Mayo Clinic Store, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Book: Mayo Clinic 5 Steps to Controlling High Blood Pressure, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition, Autism spectrum disorder and digestive symptoms, Bad food habits at work? The side effects of stevia include gastrointestinal issues, extremely low blood sugar levels, endocrine disruption, sore muscles, and numbness. J Nat Prod. Berberine is a compound extracted from several plants. Over time, it's most important to eat a healthy diet and get exercise. A critical review of the genetic toxicity of steviol and steviol glycosides. View abstract. Artificial sweeteners: Weight loss friend or foe? All the Stevia Pros and Cons You Should Know Before Using It, 10 Foods You Don't Realize Are Packed With Sugar, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America: "Molecular Basis for Branched Steviol Glucoside Biosynthesis", Nutrition Today: "Stevia, Natures Zero-Calorie Sustainable Sweetener", U.S. Food & Drug Administration: "Has Stevia Been Approved by FDA to Be Used as a Sweetener? High-intensity sweeteners. The following are few of the asserted side effects or dangers of stevia: 1. Stevia may cause mild digestive issues like nausea, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Plants that come from the Asteraceae family that have been known to cause allergies include ragweed and sunflower seeds. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Whole-leaf stevia and crude stevia extract, including stevia youve grown at home, are not safe to use if youre pregnant. Stevia is a natural sweetener that comes from a plant. That means a can of sweetened cola with 10 teaspoons of added sugar has about 160 calories. Review/update the Stevioside. Lisinopril (Oral Route) Side Effects - Mayo Clinic Has stevia been approved by FDA to be used as a sweetener? These products rarely cause side effects. Allergic reactions. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. View abstract. Psychological Effects FDA. Anton SD, et al. New research shows that artificial sweeteners may increase the risk of weight gain and, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Although most of the existing research concerns the two major compounds in stevia stevioside and rebaudioside A (reb A) a 2016 study using human fecal samples concluded that all forms of the compound are probably safe for general use. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version. View abstract. Melis MS. In general, it is safest to take in small amounts of sugar substitutes. However, given the popularity of stevia, there are several large-scale, comprehensive studies working on the matter. Stevia During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. Journal of Applied Science Research 2010;6(7):883-887. ", Tufts Medical Center Community Care: "Stevia". However, subsequent research led the FDA to reverse the ban as hundreds of studies' reviews showed no increased risk of cancer linked to stevia consumption. However, some studies suggest that consuming nonnutritive sweeteners such as Stevia instead of sugar does not reduce overall calorie intake or blood sugar levels. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. Perrier J, Mihalov J, Carlson S. FDA regulatory approach to steviol glycosides. Whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, usually have the best mix of nutrients for the body. Rios-Leyvraz M, et al. FoodData Central. Last medically reviewed on December 3, 2018. 2017;41(3):450-457. They're different in the United States and Europe, for example. Some people with diabetes claim it's fine, while others . It is safe to consume stevia every day. Sucralose (Splenda): Good or Bad? - Healthline Video of the Day The Science Behind Stevia Stevia, not to be confused with Splenda, is a sugar substitute sweetener that comes from the plant Stevia rebaudiana, which is native to South America. Monk Fruit vs. Stevia: Which Sweetener Should You Use? Reb-A is about 200 times sweeter than table sugar. And it's best to use sugar substitutes for a short time, or just every once in a while. Consumption of stevia may be linked to cancer. However, studies suggest that consuming sugar substitutes such as stevia in place of sugar does not have an impact on overall daily calories intake or blood sugar levels. The same amount of cola sweetened with the artificial sweetener aspartame has none. 10. The plant contains steviol glycosides, such as stevioside and rebaudioside, which are actually a lot sweeter than regular sugar. US Food and Drug Administration. Its unclear if occasional stevia use in lower amounts would have the same impact. Taking stevia might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. Heuberger R. Overview of non-nutritive sweeteners. World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. But it's not clear whether sugar substitutes can help people manage their weight over the long term. However, one noted limitation in this study is that it took place in a laboratory setting, rather than in a real-life situation in a persons natural environment. From wellcurve.in. Since then, research has shown that those findings don't apply to people. Efficacy and tolerability of oral stevioside in patients with mild essential hypertension: a two-year, randomized, placebo-controlled study. View abstract. Best food forward: Are algae the future of sustainable nutrition? In this case, Reb-A has been evaluated for safety during pregnancy and otherwise. blood pressure conditions and medications. Additional Information about High-Intensity Sweeteners Metabolism 2004;53:73-6. Nutrients 2020;12(10):3049. Products made with sugar substitutes also may give you the wrong message about processed foods. Prakash I, Dubois GE, Clos JF, et al. Office of Regulatory Affairs. Health effects of the use of non-sugar sweeteners. Stevia is not known to cause inflammation. Stevia leaf extract, known to most as stevia, is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener used as asugar substitute. Processed foods often contain a lot of sugar, yet it can be difficult to tell how much. Int J Occup Environ Health. Ac., CYT, 12 Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba (Plus Side Effects & Dosage). Principles and methods for the risk assessment of chemicals. Taking stevia along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Planta Med 2001;67(9):796-799. View abstract. Accessed Nov. 11, 2022. J Ethnopharmacol 2021;265:113188. What is stevia? Known Side Effects of Stevia | livestrong This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. But because stevia is noncaloric, it's often used as a sugar substitute, especially for people hoping to manage diabetes or obesity. (2017). Currently, there isnt enough evidence that whole-leaf stevia or crude stevia extract wont harm your pregnancy. Because the kidney is responsible for filtering and creating urine, researchers initially thought that long-term consumption of stevia could damage the organ. Theres concern that raw stevia herb may harm your kidneys, reproductive system, and cardiovascular system. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Tooth decay occurs when bacteria from sugar damage the teeth. For these reasons, it may be useful for people taking steps to control . For purposes of this article, stevia refers to Reb-A products. While some studies have shown stevia can be used to manage diabetes and weight loss, a study published in July 2017 in Canadian Medical Association Journal showed that consuming nonnutritive sweeteners frequently may actually result in an increase in body mass index (BMI).