Stevia
Updated June 08, 2015.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Stevia is a hot new option for diabetics seeking a sugar replacement. But why now when this native South American plant, (with a sweetening power 300x that of sugar), has been used for centuries as a natural sweetener?
Part of the reason Stevia is getting press lately is due to its development for use by large companies such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Cargill. But another big factor is literature showing that Stevia may actually be beneficial to diabetics by aiding insulin function.
Stevia leaves and extracts can be commonly found in health food stores. About a quarter of a teaspoon of the natural ground leaves (or one whole leaf) is the equivalent to about 1 teaspoon of sugar. Liquid and powdered forms of Stevia can be used in baking. Look for Stevia marketed for sale under brand names such as:
A word of caution: Since Stevia (at doses higher than mentioned here) has been shown to lower blood sugar, talk to your doctor prior to using Stevia if you have diabetes. If your doctor approves the use, make sure to monitor your blood sugar levels closely and report any abnormal levels to your doctor. Stevia has also been shown to lower blood pressure, so anyone taking any drugs to lower blood pressure should also talk to their doctor before trying Stevia.
Other Sugar Replacements/Sweeteners
Sources:
Abudula, R., et al. "Rebaudioside A potently stimulates insulin secretion from isolated mouse islets: studies on the dose-, glucose-, and calcium-dependency." Metabolism. 2004; 53(10): 1378-81.
Chang, J. C., et al. "Increase of insulin sensitivity by stevioside in fructose-rich chow-fed rats." Horm. Metab. Res. 2005; 37(10): 610-6.
Chen, T. H., et al. "Mechanism of the hypoglycemic effect of stevioside, a glycoside of Stevia rebaudiana." Planta Med. 2005; 71(2): 108-13.
Chen, J., et al. "Stevioside counteracts the glyburide-induced desensitization of the pancreatic beta-cell function in mice: studies in vitro." Metabolism. 2006 Dec; 55(12): 1674-80.
Dyrskog, S. E., et al. "Preventive effects of a soy-based diet supplemented with stevioside on the development of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in Zucker diabetic fatty rats." Metabolism. 2005; 54(9): 1181-8.
Ferreira, E. B., et al. "Comparative effects of Stevia rebaudiana leaves and stevioside on glycaemia and hepatic gluconeogenesis." Planta Med. 2006 Jun; 72(8): 691-6.
Gregersen, S., et al. "Antihyperglycemic effects of stevioside in type 2 diabetic subjects." Metabolism. 2004; 53(1):73-6.
Lailerd, N., et al. "Effects of stevioside on glucose transport activity in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant rat skeletal muscle." Metabolism. 2004; 53(1): 101-7.
Raskovic, A., et al. "Glucose concentration in the blood of intact and alloxan-treated mice after pretreatment with commercial preparations of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni)." Eur. J. Drug Metab. Pharmacokinet. 2004 Apr-Jun; 29(2):87
Raskovic, A., et al. "Joint effect of commercial preparations of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni and sodium monoketocholate on glycemia in mice." Eur. J. Drug Metab. Pharmacokinet. 2004 Apr-Jun; 29(2): 83-6.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Stevia is a hot new option for diabetics seeking a sugar replacement. But why now when this native South American plant, (with a sweetening power 300x that of sugar), has been used for centuries as a natural sweetener?
Part of the reason Stevia is getting press lately is due to its development for use by large companies such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Cargill. But another big factor is literature showing that Stevia may actually be beneficial to diabetics by aiding insulin function.
Stevia leaves and extracts can be commonly found in health food stores. About a quarter of a teaspoon of the natural ground leaves (or one whole leaf) is the equivalent to about 1 teaspoon of sugar. Liquid and powdered forms of Stevia can be used in baking. Look for Stevia marketed for sale under brand names such as:
- PureVia Zero Calorie Sweetener
- Sweet Leaf Dietary Supplement Plus Fiber
- Truvia Nature's Calorie-Free
A word of caution: Since Stevia (at doses higher than mentioned here) has been shown to lower blood sugar, talk to your doctor prior to using Stevia if you have diabetes. If your doctor approves the use, make sure to monitor your blood sugar levels closely and report any abnormal levels to your doctor. Stevia has also been shown to lower blood pressure, so anyone taking any drugs to lower blood pressure should also talk to their doctor before trying Stevia.
Other Sugar Replacements/Sweeteners
Sources:
Abudula, R., et al. "Rebaudioside A potently stimulates insulin secretion from isolated mouse islets: studies on the dose-, glucose-, and calcium-dependency." Metabolism. 2004; 53(10): 1378-81.
Chang, J. C., et al. "Increase of insulin sensitivity by stevioside in fructose-rich chow-fed rats." Horm. Metab. Res. 2005; 37(10): 610-6.
Chen, T. H., et al. "Mechanism of the hypoglycemic effect of stevioside, a glycoside of Stevia rebaudiana." Planta Med. 2005; 71(2): 108-13.
Chen, J., et al. "Stevioside counteracts the glyburide-induced desensitization of the pancreatic beta-cell function in mice: studies in vitro." Metabolism. 2006 Dec; 55(12): 1674-80.
Dyrskog, S. E., et al. "Preventive effects of a soy-based diet supplemented with stevioside on the development of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in Zucker diabetic fatty rats." Metabolism. 2005; 54(9): 1181-8.
Ferreira, E. B., et al. "Comparative effects of Stevia rebaudiana leaves and stevioside on glycaemia and hepatic gluconeogenesis." Planta Med. 2006 Jun; 72(8): 691-6.
Gregersen, S., et al. "Antihyperglycemic effects of stevioside in type 2 diabetic subjects." Metabolism. 2004; 53(1):73-6.
Lailerd, N., et al. "Effects of stevioside on glucose transport activity in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant rat skeletal muscle." Metabolism. 2004; 53(1): 101-7.
Raskovic, A., et al. "Glucose concentration in the blood of intact and alloxan-treated mice after pretreatment with commercial preparations of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni)." Eur. J. Drug Metab. Pharmacokinet. 2004 Apr-Jun; 29(2):87
Raskovic, A., et al. "Joint effect of commercial preparations of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni and sodium monoketocholate on glycemia in mice." Eur. J. Drug Metab. Pharmacokinet. 2004 Apr-Jun; 29(2): 83-6.
