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Organic Stevia Powder Extract

Also known as: Organic Stevia Powder Extract, Stevia leaf extract, purified stevia extract, high-purity stevia, stevioside, rebaudioside A, Steviol glycosides

Overview

Organic Stevia Powder Extract is derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, a South American shrub. Its primary bioactive compounds are steviol glycosides, predominantly stevioside and rebaudioside A, which are natural, non-nutritive sweeteners 200–400 times sweeter than sucrose. It is widely used as a zero-calorie sugar substitute in foods and beverages, offering a natural alternative for individuals managing blood glucose levels or weight. The extract is non-caloric, heat-stable, and pH-stable. When consumed, steviol glycosides are metabolized by gut bacteria into steviol, which is then absorbed and excreted without accumulating in the body. Research, including multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, supports its modest effects on blood glucose and blood pressure, though evidence for appetite and weight control is less conclusive.

Benefits

Steviol glycosides have demonstrated several evidence-based benefits, particularly in metabolic health. A meta-analysis of nine RCTs showed significant reductions in fasting blood glucose with stevioside supplementation, suggesting a benefit for individuals with diabetes or metabolic risk. Similarly, significant reductions in diastolic blood pressure (mean difference ~ -2.98 mm Hg) have been observed, although effects on systolic blood pressure were not statistically significant. These effects, while small, are statistically significant and may be more pronounced in populations with high cardiovascular risk or diabetes. Stevia may also modulate the gut microbiome, potentially influencing metabolic responses, though this area requires further research. There is no consistent evidence from current meta-analyses to support significant effects on blood lipid profiles, appetite suppression, or weight loss. The benefits typically manifest over weeks to months of consistent use, with long-term effects still being characterized.

How it works

Steviol glycosides are not absorbed intact in the human body. Upon ingestion, they pass through the upper gastrointestinal tract unchanged. In the colon, gut microbiota hydrolyze these glycosides into steviol, which is the aglycone form. Steviol is then absorbed into the bloodstream and primarily metabolized in the liver to steviol glucuronide, which is subsequently excreted in the urine. This rapid clearance ensures no accumulation in the body. The mechanism by which stevia influences glucose metabolism may involve insulinotropic effects, potentially enhancing insulin secretion or sensitivity. Its impact on blood pressure is thought to involve vasodilation mechanisms. Additionally, stevia may interact with glucose transporters and insulin signaling pathways, and it has been observed to modulate the composition of the gut microbiota, which can indirectly affect metabolic responses.

Side effects

High-purity stevia extracts are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA and approved by global regulatory bodies like EFSA and JECFA. Common side effects, though mild and infrequent, can include gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal fullness and epigastric pain, reported in some clinical trials. Uncommon side effects, occurring in 1-5% of users, may include dizziness and other minor adverse events, but these are rare. No serious adverse events have been consistently linked to stevia consumption. While no well-documented clinically significant drug interactions exist, caution is advised for individuals taking antihypertensive or antidiabetic medications due to potential additive effects on blood pressure and glucose levels. Whole leaf or crude stevia extracts are not recommended for food use due to insufficient toxicological data; only purified extracts are considered safe within acceptable daily intake (ADI) limits. Animal studies suggest potential caution during pregnancy and early development due to possible microbiome effects, but human data are lacking.

Dosage

Clinical trials have utilized varying doses of steviol glycosides, with effective doses of stevioside ranging approximately from 250 mg to 1000 mg daily for glucose-lowering effects. However, there is no universally optimal dosage consensus. Regulatory bodies, such as JECFA and EFSA, have established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 4 mg/kg body weight/day of steviol equivalents. This ADI is a conservative estimate to ensure safety. Doses in human studies are typically lower than those showing effects in animal models. Stevia is often administered with meals to assess its impact on postprandial glucose levels. For safety and efficacy, high-purity stevia extracts containing at least 95% steviol glycosides are preferred; crude leaf powders are not recommended for food use. The individual's gut microbiome composition may influence the metabolism and efficacy of steviol glycosides. No specific cofactors are identified as necessary for its action.

FAQs

Is Organic Stevia Powder Extract safe?

Yes, purified stevia extracts are generally recognized as safe within recommended daily intake limits. Whole leaf extracts are not approved for food use due to insufficient safety data.

Does stevia cause weight loss?

Current scientific evidence does not consistently support significant effects of stevia on appetite suppression or weight loss.

Can stevia help control blood sugar?

Yes, modest reductions in fasting blood glucose have been observed in clinical trials, particularly in individuals with diabetes or metabolic risk factors.

Does stevia affect blood pressure?

Small but statistically significant reductions in diastolic blood pressure have been reported. Effects on systolic blood pressure are less clear.

Are there side effects?

Mild gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal fullness and epigastric pain, and occasionally dizziness, have been reported but are generally uncommon.

Research Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25412840/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis of nine RCTs found that stevioside supplementation significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose in participants, primarily those with high cardiovascular risk. However, it showed no significant effect on blood lipid profiles, and rebaudioside A was found to be ineffective. The study noted heterogeneity and variable quality among the included trials, suggesting modest but statistically significant effects.
https://www.alzdiscovery.org/uploads/cognitive_vitality_media/Stevia_(food_drink)_.pdf – This review, which included both preclinical and clinical studies, indicated that stevia glycosides can reduce blood glucose in rodent models. Human effects were more variable, and the review highlighted the potential for stevia to modulate the gut microbiome. The quality was assessed as moderate due to a heavy reliance on preclinical data and limited human studies.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.ih.gov/articles/PMC4890837/ – This article details the metabolism of steviol glycosides. It explains that these compounds pass intact through the upper GI tract and are hydrolyzed by gut bacteria in the colon to steviol. Steviol is then absorbed and rapidly cleared from the body as steviol glucuronide, without accumulation. This mechanism is key to understanding stevia's non-caloric nature.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/obr.13902 – This systematic review and meta-analysis specifically investigated the effects of stevia on appetite and energy intake. The findings indicated no significant effect on either appetite or overall energy intake in adults across the included short-term randomized controlled trials. The study was of moderate quality but limited by the number and duration of the included studies.
https://ific.org/resources/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-stevia-sweeteners/ – This resource provides a comprehensive overview of stevia sweeteners, emphasizing that high-purity stevia extracts are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by regulatory bodies like the FDA. It clarifies that while purified extracts are safe within ADI limits, whole leaf or crude extracts are not approved for food use due to insufficient toxicological data. It also touches upon the global regulatory approvals for stevia.