Interesting article on Stevia
Health Controversy: Is the New Stevia Sweetener Fab or Frightening?
You’ve probably heard about Truvia (maybe seen the ads)–the new “all-natural” sweetener “born from” the stevia plant. (And, did you see that Odwalla beverages now come in stevia-sweetened varieties?) An all-natural, zero-calorie sweetener sure sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it? And it was recently given the FDA stamp of approval. So what’s all the fuss about?
Well, past research on stevia isn’t so reassuring. While the studies were preliminary, there is enough evidence to make some people nervous about consuming stevia or any products derived from it. This MSNBC article breaks it down:
“Just as cancer concerns have dogged the artificial sweeteners aspartame and saccharin, some researchers worry about stevia. In fact, the FDA rejected stevia petitions in the 1990s after research linked the plant with infertility in rats and cancer in the lab. The agency says the currently marketed reformulation, Reb A, is “generally recognized as safe. Chemistry researcher John Pezzuto isn’t convinced. He cites a study he conducted that suggests a certain strain of stevia can mutate DNA, a possible cancer risk. Given that there’s the potential for a mutagenic response, why take the risk with stevia?” asks Pezzuto, dean of the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Pharmacy. “I will not be consuming any myself.”
I don’t know that I really think stevia is dangerous, per se. I think researchers need to do a lot more studying before we know for sure. But, I will admit that I’m not thrilled knowing that stevia could have a cancer risks (not that I’m saying it does). It’s just unsettling, that’s all. So, yeah, I personally will be sticking to sugar and agave nectar for the time being. (P.S. No artificial sweeteners for me–just not my thing.)
May 8, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Hey thanks for your comment and encouragement:)
I read in the YOU on a Diet book pg 98. says that it "seems to lower sperm counts in some studies" -Here’s the skinny-"For the taste and the potential side effects, no thanks. No diet drink is worth the potential of sterility."
I agree with all other sweeteners, so I stay with natural fruit or nothing…my whey protein is from AST which has sucralose. That’s all I take, so I say watch out for the sugars added in protein powders as well.