Stevia
Scientific names: Stevia rebaudiana, Eupatorium rebaudianum, Stevia eupatoria, Mustelia eupatoria, Stevia purpurea
Family: Asteraceae/Compositae
Alternate names: Azucacaa, Caa-He-É, Caa'Inhem, Ca-A-Jhei, Ca-A-Yupi, Capim Doce, Chanvre d'Eau, Eira-Caa, Erva Doce, Estevia, E 960, Green Stevia, Kaa Jhee, Paraguayan Stevioside, Plante Sucrée, Reb A, Rebaudioside A, Rébaudioside A, Rebiana, Stévia, Stevia Plant, Stevioside, Sweet Herb of Paraguay, Sweet Herb, Sweet Leaf of Paraguay, Sweetleaf, Yerba Dulce
Actions: Anti-cancer, Antidiabetes, Antifertility, Antimicrobial, Blood pressure, Diuretic
Background
Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a bushy shrub native to northeast Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. It's best known as a natural sweetener.
Stevia contains chemicals that are 200-300 times sweeter than sucrose sugar.
People take stevia for obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In the US, stevia leaves and extracts are available as supplements, but are not approved for use as sweeteners. Rebaudioside A (also called rebiana), one of the chemicals in stevia, is approved as a food sweetener.
Stevia contains chemicals that are 200-300 times sweeter than sucrose sugar.
People take stevia for obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In the US, stevia leaves and extracts are available as supplements, but are not approved for use as sweeteners. Rebaudioside A (also called rebiana), one of the chemicals in stevia, is approved as a food sweetener.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Certain chemicals in stevia, including stevioside and rebaudioside A, are likely safe when used as a food sweetener. Side effects might include bloating, nausea, dizziness, and numbness.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if whole stevia or stevia extracts are safe or what the side effects might be.
Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Stevia is in the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. This family includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many other plants. In theory, people who are sensitive to ragweed and related plants may also be sensitive to stevia.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if whole stevia or stevia extracts are safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to take stevia when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Stevia is in the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. This family includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many other plants. In theory, people who are sensitive to ragweed and related plants may also be sensitive to stevia.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using stevia for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
Certain chemicals in stevia are commonly used as natural food sweeteners.
As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of stevia might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of stevia might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Lithium
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Stevia might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking stevia might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Stevia might lower blood sugar levels. Taking stevia along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Stevia might lower blood pressure. Taking stevia along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: Stevia might lower blood pressure. Taking it with other supplements that have the same effect might cause blood pressure to drop too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include andrographis, casein peptides, L-arginine, niacin, and stinging nettle.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Stevia might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Stevia might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
View all products
Per 10 g:
- Stevia rebaubiana (Stevia) 40 mg
- Wheatgrass powder 500 mg
- Brassica oleracea (Broccoli) 400 mg
- Hordeum vulgare powder 500 mg
- Plantago ovata (husk) (Psyllium) 1 g
- Citrus limon (Lemon) 400 mg
- Withania somnifera 750 mg
- Fucus vesiculosus 200 mg
- Zingiber officinale 400 mg
- Actaea racemosa 40 mg
- Rosmarinus officinalis 500 mg
- Ulmus rubra 800 mg
- Silybum marianum 1 g
- Glycyrrhiza glabra 800 mg
- Vitex agnus-castus 500 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus 500 mg
- Taraxacum officinale 250 mg
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus helveticus
- Lactobacillus bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus leichmannii
- Lactobacillus caucasicus
- Lactococcus lactis
- Lactobacillus fermentum
- Lactobacillus brevis
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Lactobacillus delbrueckii
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae (boulardii) (SB)
- Cinnamon zeylanicum 70 mg
- Punica granatum 250 mg
- Rubus idaeus 300 mg
Per bar:
- Stevia rebaubiana (Steviol glycosides)
- Soy protein isolate
- Whey protein isolate
- Calcium caseinate
- Maltitol
- Cocoa solids
- Milk solids powder
- Soy lecithin
- Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate (E-476)
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Polydextrose
- Glycerol
- Sorbitol
- Acacia sp. (fibre)
- Sunflower oil
- Natural flavours
- Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A)
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate (Vitamin E)
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3)
- D-calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Calcium hydrogen phosphate
- Ferrous fumarate (Iron)
- Zinc bisglycinate
- Chromium nicotinate
- Copper gluconate
- Manganese amino acid chelate
- Potassium iodide (Iodine)
- Biotin
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (Vitamin E)
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids)
Per 30 g:
- Stevia rebaubiana (Stevia)
- Oryza sativa (Brown rice protein isolate)
- Cinnamomum spp.
- Vanilla planifolia (bean)
- Natural flavours
Per 6 g (Lemon Lime):
- Stevia rebaubiana (Stevia)
- Magnesium glycinate dihydrate 2225 mg equiv. magnesium 250 mg
- Magnesium citrate 465 mg equiv. magnesium 70 mg
- L-glutamine 500 mg
- Taurine 500 mg
- Levocarnitine tartrate (L-carnitine) 36.7 mg equiv. levocarnitine 25 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 25 mg equiv. thiamine 22.3 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 5 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 20 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 30 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 27.6 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 30 mg equiv. pyridoxine 24.6 mg
- Folic acid 150 μg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 200 μg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 130 mg
- Chromium picolinate 402 μg equiv. chromium 50 μg
- Potassium citrate 138 mg equiv. potassium 50 mg
- Selenomethionine 62 μg equiv. selenium 25 μg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 25 mg equiv. zinc 5 mg
Per 3 g:
- Stevia rebaubiana (Stevia)
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 93.45 mg equiv. zinc 30 mg
- Calcium ascorbate dihydrate (Vitamin C) 1 g equiv. ascorbic acid 826.2 mg
- Magnesium amino acid chelate 25.05 mg equiv. magnesium 5 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 6 mg equiv. pyridoxine 5 mg
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids) 170 µg
Per 30 g (Choc & Coconut):
Per 20 g (Neutral):
- Stevia rebaubiana (Stevia) (leaf)
- Bovine collagen peptides 19.05 g
- Natural flavours
- Nature identical flavours
Per 2.5 mL:
- Stevia rebaubiana (Stevia)
- Astragalus membranaceus ext. 54.3 mg
- Atractylodes macrocephala ext. 54.3 mg
- Saposhnikovia divaricata ext. 54.3 mg
- Sambucus nigra ext. 47.38 mg
- Zinc gluconate 5.7 mg equiv. zinc 0.8 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E)
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Glycerol
- Xanthan gum
- Maltodextrin
- Natural blackcurrant flavour
- Potassium sorbate
Per 5.5 g (Mango Pineapple):
- Stevia rebaubiana (Steviol glycosides)
- Coffea arabica
- Theobroma cacao 50 mg
- Creatine hydrochloride 750 mg
- Camellia sinensis 150 mg
- Pisum sativum 200 mg
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Hordeum vulgare powder 15 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P)
- Methylcobalamin (Activated B12)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 40 mg
- Orthosilicic acid (Silica)
- Flavour
- Folate 200 µg
- Glycerol monostearate (GMS) 1.5 g
- Alpinia galanga 150 mg
Per 7 g (Lemonade):
- Stevia rebaubiana (Stevia)
- L-leucine
- L-isoleucine
- L-methionine
- L-threonine
- L-valine
- L-lysine
- L-phenylalanine
- L-histidine
- L-tryptophan
- Schisandra chinensis ext. equiv. dry 2.5 g
- Calcium citrate
- Magnesium bisglycinate
- Flavour
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Potassium citrate
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P)
- Methylcobalamin (Activated B12)
Per serve (Chocolate):
- Stevia rebaubiana (Stevia)
- Magnesium beta-hydroxybutyrate monohydrate 2.1 g
- Calcium beta-hydroxybutyrate 3.1 g
- Sodium beta-hydroxybutyrate 1.2 g
- Coconut medium-chain triglyceride (Vana®️ Sana MCT) 500 mg
- L-leucine
- L-lysine
- L-tyrosine
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Theobroma cacao ext.
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P)
- Methylcobalamin (Activated B12)
Per 30 g (Choc Sea Salt):
- Stevia rebaubiana (Steviol glycosides)
- Pea protein isolate
- Pumpkin powder
- Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon)
- Schizochytrium sp. (Chromista algae oil)
- d-alpha-Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
- MCT powder
- Amylase enzyme 3840 µg
- Protease 960 µg
- Lactase 640 µg
- Lipase 160 µg
- Cellulase 32 µg
- Flavour
- Pink Himalayan crystal salt
- Theobroma cacao
- Cannabis sativa (seed) powder
Per sachet (Cafe Mocha):
- Stevia rebaubiana (Stevia)
- Medium chain triglycerides (goMCT®️) 1.5 g
- Cordyceps militaris
- Pleurotus eryngii
- Lentinula edodes
- Trametes versicolor
- Grifola frondosa
- Coffea arabica 2.9 g
- Huberzia serrata 25 µg
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Theobroma cacao 15 mg
- Natural flavours
- Theobroma cacao powder 480 mg
- Alpinia galanga powder 150 mg
- Bacopa monnieri powder 100 mg
- Coffea arabica powder 100 mg
- Acacia sp. (fibre)
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 29/12/2022 18:25:30 and last updated on 13/05/2022 06:43:02. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
