Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) a bio-sweetener: a review.
Abstract
Studies
revealed that Stevia has been used throughout the world since ancient
times for various purposes; for example, as a sweetener and a medicine.
We conducted a systematic literature review to summarize and quantify
the past and current evidence for Stevia. We searched relevant papers up
to 2007 in various databases. As we know that the leaves of Stevia
plants have functional and sensory properties superior to those of many
other high-potency sweeteners, Stevia is likely to become a major source
of high-potency sweetener for the growing natural food market in the
future. Although Stevia can be helpful to anyone, there are certain
groups who are more likely to benefit from its remarkable sweetening
potential. These include diabetic patients, those interested in
decreasing caloric intake, and children. Stevia is a small perennial
shrub that has been used for centuries as a bio-sweetener and for other
medicinal uses such as to lower blood sugar. Its white crystalline
compound (stevioside) is the natural herbal sweetener with no calories
and is over 100-300 times sweeter than table sugar. source
An evidence-based systematic review of stevia by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.
Ulbricht C1, Isaac R, Milkin T, Poole EA, Rusie E, Grimes Serrano JM, Weissner W, Windsor RC, Woods J.
Author information
- 1Massachusetts General Hospital, USA. ulbricht@naturalstandard.com
Abstract
The
objective of this study was to evaluate the scientific evidence on
stevia, including expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history,
pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects,
toxicology, and dosing. This review serves as a clinical support tool.
Electronic searches were conducted in 10 databases, 20 additional
journals (not indexed in common databases), and bibliographies from 50
selected secondary references. No restrictions were placed on the
language or quality of the publications. All literature collected
pertained to efficacy in humans, dosing, precautions, adverse effects,
use in pregnancy and lactation, interactions, alteration of laboratory
assays, and mechanisms of action. Standardized inclusion and exclusion
criteria were used for selection. Grades were assigned using an
evidence-based grading rationale. Based on the availability of
scientific data, two indications are discussed in this review:
hypertension and hyperglycemia. Evaluation of two long-term studies (1
and 2 years in length, respectively) indicates that stevia may be
effective in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients, although
data from shorter studies (1-3 months) did not support these findings. A
pair of small studies also report positive results with respect to
glucose tolerance and response, although the relatively low
methodological rigor of these experiments limits the strength of these
findings. Further investigation is warranted in both indications. source
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