Dangers Associated With Stevia

Stevia (stevioside) is an herbal plant in the sunflower family that provides a sweet taste. It grows wild in the form of a shrub in some parts of Paraguay and Brazil. The general public usually uses stevia sweetener---though not federally approved for this use. Stevia is often packaged like other artificial sweeteners and is consumed in South Korea, China, Europe, Australia and North and South America. Stevia can be dangerous if not used in moderation.

FDA Classification

• A mutagenicity study conducted through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1991 blocked importation and sale of stevia in the United States. Flaws were found in the original study and in September of 1995, the FDA revised the import alert. The revision stated listed stevia as an unapproved food additive that can be used as a food supplement but not sweetener.

General Side Effects

• Stevia may produce unpleasant but short-lived side effects such as dizziness, muscle pain, numbness, nausea, gas and bloating. These symptoms become apparent if stevia is used more than once a day.

Reproductive Side Effects

• European scientists have found stevioside may cause adverse affects on the reproductive system. During a two-year study, male rats were fed high doses of stevioside and sperm production was significantly reduced, with the weight of seminal vesciles also declining. In this same study, female hamsters were fed high doses of a stevioside derivative, steviol. During this time offspring born were fewer in number and smaller in size. This study has not been conducted with adults and only presents findings in rodent species.