Stevia and diabetes

============== Stevia and its effect on blood sugar Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a plant native to South America whose leaves contain compounds called stevioside and They are rhabdioside A. These compounds are 150 to 300 times sweeter than regular sugar, but unlike simple sugars, they have no calories and cannot cause blood sugar spikes. When a person consumes stevia, these compounds are not absorbed in the digestive tract and do not enter the bloodstream directly. In fact, after consumption, stevioside is broken down into steviol by intestinal bacteria and excreted through urine. For this reason, stevia does not have any direct or significant effect on blood glucose levels, and from this point of view, it is considered very suitable for diabetic patients. In addition, various studies have shown that stevia may even have glucose-lowering properties. In some studies, it has been observed that stevia can increase the secretion of insulin from the pancreas or improve the sensitivity of cells to insulin, which can be very useful for people with type 2 diabetes. Does stevia increase or decrease blood sugar? According to scientific evidence, stevia not only does not increase blood sugar, but in some cases it can even help lower blood glucose levels. This feature is especially valuable when compared to sweeteners such as white sugar or fructose, which directly affect blood sugar levels. A study published in the journal Appetite in 2010 showed that consumption of stevia in healthy subjects caused lower levels of post-meal blood sugar and insulin compared to sugar and aspartame. In this study, participants ate foods sweetened with stevia, aspartame, and sugar, and the results showed that the stevia group experienced the least spikes in blood sugar. Also, in another study published in *Journal of Medicinal Food* in 2018, it was shown that the active compounds of stevia can stimulate cell receptors related to glucose metabolism and, as a result, help to better control blood sugar. Therefore, it is safe to say that reasonable consumption of stevia for diabetic patients is not only safe, but can also help improve blood sugar control. Clinical experiences and authentic research about stevia and diabetes So far, several clinical studies have investigated the effect of stevia in diabetic patients. Here are some of the most important ones: ### 1-Study in India (2012): In this study, which was conducted on diabetic people, the participants consumed stevia for 6 weeks. The results showed that fasting and postprandial glucose levels decreased, without any signs of hypoglycemia or side effects. ### 2- Investigation at the University of Paraguay (2015): In this study, researchers found that continuous use of stevia increases insulin secretion in type 2 diabetic patients, and this issue can help better control the disease. ### 3-Animal and laboratory studies: Research on laboratory mice has shown that stevioside can reduce blood sugar, reduce cholesterol and improve kidney function in diabetic mice. There is also evidence that stevia's antioxidant properties can prevent cell damage caused by high blood sugar. ### 4- Review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization: (WHO) These two important global organizations have declared the use of refined stevia extract (such as rabadioside A) to be safe for the general public, including diabetic patients. At the same time, the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for stevioside is 4 mg per kilogram of body weight. Benefits of using stevia for diabetics As a natural, calorie-free sweetener, stevia has become one of the most popular sugar substitutes for diabetics in recent years. The benefits of this plant are not limited to its natural sweetness; Rather, its positive effects on reducing sugar consumption, helping with weight control, and its compatibility with special diets have made stevia a smart choice for diabetics. ### Reduce sugar and calorie consumption: One of the most important reasons for using stevia for diabetic patients is to replace it with regular sugar and, as a result, reduce glucose and calorie consumption. Many diabetics face challenges such as controlling the amount of sugar they receive and avoiding a sudden increase in blood sugar. Among them, Stevia has a basic advantage: - **Zero calories:** The steviosides and rhabdiosides in the stevia leaf, despite the sweet taste they give to food and drink, are not metabolized by the body and do not produce calories. - **No glycemic effect:** The glycemic index (GI) of stevia is close to zero. This means that unlike sugar and even some artificial sweeteners, stevia does not cause any spikes in blood sugar levels. In the diet of diabetic patients, every gram of sugar is important. The use of stevia allows them to enjoy the sweet taste without worrying about blood sugar spikes. Even in drinks like tea, coffee or homemade juices, adding stevia is a completely safe and healthy alternative. help to lose weight and insulin control: One of the important factors in the management of type 2 diabetes is weight control and reducing insulin resistance. Many diabetic patients struggle with overweight or obesity in addition to blood sugar problems. Weight gain makes the body more resistant to insulin and this makes the treatment of diabetes difficult. Stevia can also play an effective role in this field: - **Replacing sugar with stevia** can reduce daily calorie intake, and help lose weight in the long run. Even if the diabetic diet is high in calories, replacing stevia with white or brown sugar will eliminate a significant portion of unnecessary calories. - Some studies have shown that regular consumption of stevia may **stimulate insulin secretion naturally**. This feature can be very useful, especially in the early stages of type 2 diabetes, when the pancreatic function has not yet been completely lost. In a 2019 clinical study, it was found that people who used stevia instead of sugar felt "fuller" and ate less at subsequent meals. This feeling of fullness can be an effective psychological factor for better weight control and diabetes management. ### Suitable for low-carb and ketogenic diets: In recent years, special diets such as ketogenic diet and low-carb diet have become popular among diabetic patients. These diets help to control blood sugar better by reducing carbohydrate consumption and focusing on fat and protein. But a big challenge in these diets is the complete elimination of sugar and sweets. Stevia is one of the few sweeteners that is **perfectly compatible** with these diets because of the following properties: - **Without pure carbohydrates:** Stevia has almost zero carbohydrate content and glucose absorption does not take place from it. - **Lack of effect on ketosis:** One of the concerns of ketogenic diet followers is that sugar or sweeteners disrupt the "ketosis" state of the body. But stevia is also safe in this regard and does not affect the ketosis process. - **Wide use in Keto-Friendly products:** Today, many foods for diabetics and ketogenics (such as sugar-free chocolates, low-calorie cakes and diet drinks) are sweetened with stevia, because its taste is very close to natural sugar and does not require the use of harmful artificial substances. Therefore, diabetics who follow special diets can safely use stevia without worrying about going out of bounds. Comparison of stevia with other sweeteners In today's world, where sugar consumption has become a serious challenge, especially among diabetic patients, choosing a safe and effective sweetener is of great importance. The market is full of different options such as aspartame, saccharin, sorbitol and stevia. But which ones are really safe and beneficial for long-term use? And most importantly, why is stevia considered a better choice by nutritionists for diabetics? ### Aspartame: Aspartame is one of the most common artificial sweeteners, which is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. This substance is used in many low-calorie products such as diet sodas, gums and sugar-free desserts. The main advantage of aspartame is its very low calories and taste relatively close to sugar. However, there are concerns about the long-term effects of aspartame consumption. In the body, aspartame breaks down into three compounds: phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol. Methanol in high amounts can be harmful to the body, and phenylalanine is dangerous for people with the rare disease phenylketonuria. Some researches have linked the continuous use of this substance with side effects such as headache, anxiety, nervous problems and even increased risk of some types of cancer in animal studies. There is also evidence that aspartame may negatively affect blood sugar control and the gut microbiome. Therefore, although this substance is allowed in some conditions, it is not a good choice for diabetic patients, especially in the long term. ### Saccharin: Saccharin is one of the oldest artificial sweeteners, which is about 300 to 400 times sweeter than sugar. This substance is calorie-free and is used in many food products and even medicines due to its stability against heat. Despite its advantages such as reducing calories and being able to use it in cooking, saccharin also has some weaknesses. Its bitter and metallic taste, which is usually felt at the end of consumption, is one of the most important drawbacks of its consumption. Also, in the past, some studies linked saccharin with the occurrence of bladder cancer in laboratory animals, although these concerns were later not confirmed in humans. However, the negative effect of saccharin on intestinal microbial composition and impaired glucose tolerance has been proposed in some new researches. These cases have made saccharin, although legally recognized as safe, not a very safe option for diabetics in the long term. ### Sorbitol: Sorbitol is one of the natural sugar alcohols that is also found in fruits and is usually used as a sweetener in diabetic products. Its sweetness is about 60% sugar and it has less calories, in addition, it has a lower glycemic index than sugar and its effect on increasing blood sugar is less. Sorbitol is a better choice for diabetics than sugar, but it is not perfect. Due to incomplete absorption in the intestine, this substance has a laxative effect, and its high consumption can cause bloating, heartache and diarrhea. Therefore, although sorbitol can be useful in low doses, its continuous or excessive use, especially in sensitive patients, can cause digestive discomfort. For this reason, experts usually recommend it as a temporary sweetener or supplement rather than the main solution. ### Stevia: Stevia is an all-natural sweetener obtained from the leaves of the *Stevia rebaudiana* plant and is between 200 and 300 times sweeter than sugar. The unique feature of stevia is its zero calories and glycemic index, meaning that unlike other sweeteners, stevia has no effect on blood sugar or insulin secretion. Scientific research has shown that stevia is not only safe, but in some cases it can help regulate blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and improve pancreatic function. Also, this plant has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known as a safe and suitable sweetener in low-carb, ketogenic or paleo diets. The only thing to keep in mind is the quality of the Stova processing; Inferior brands may have impurities or a bitter aftertaste. However, if you choose a reputable brand, stevia is the best option for diabetics and people looking to reduce sugar and calorie intake. It is recommended not to consume unprocessed leaves. ### Why is stevia the best option for diabetics? By comparing the four main sweeteners, aspartame, saccharin, sorbitol, and stevia, it becomes clear that stevia is not only calorie-free and has no negative effects on blood glucose levels, but in some cases even has positive effects on metabolic health. While aspartame and saccharin remain controversial due to their artificial origin, unpleasant taste, and health concerns, and sorbitol is limited due to its laxative properties and mild effect on blood sugar, stevia is the only option that meets all the criteria of an ideal sweetener for diabetics. The use of stevia can be considered as a part of the diabetes treatment strategy, because without destroying the sweetness of the food, it helps to regulate blood sugar better and reduce insulin dependence. These properties have made stevia the first choice of nutritionists around the world. **To receive a visit (online or in person) with Dr. Yazdan Panah, fill out the form below**