As it turns out, one by one all artificial sweeteners are being found to have major downsides in causing unwanted side-effects in the body. So this article may be a surprise to most, since stevia is considered a “natural” alternative sweetener.
But stevia is…..not what you think it is! Those white powders and clear drops we find in groceries have very little to do with stevia leaves. They really aren’t like the green stevia plant at all. They’re an extract that’s been super-refined (highly processed) using toxic chemicals, bleach, and marketed as “healthy”.
I got “hooked” on stevia. I wrote here a while back that, “I found I really, really liked using it! Slowly, over time, I kept thinking about having it more and MORE, and if I didn’t get to have it, I craved (felt addicted to) the stuff.
Sadly, I kept using it until I learned a thing or two.
After this video, I bullet-point the 4 major side-effects stevia causes (supported by the studies).
9 minutes.
The 4 Main Problems With Stevia
1. Stevia has been shown to kill beneficial gut bacteria. For example, a 2014 study also showed that stevioside and rebaudioside A dramatically inhibited growth and activity of six Lactobacillus reuteri strains, an extremely important probiotic for human health and vital resident of a healthy and diverse gut microbiome. In fact, a 2003 study showed that many important probiotic bacteria (including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) could not metabolize steviol glycosides.
And, an alarming 2020 study showed that when pregnant rats consumed stevia along with a high-fat diet, that their offspring had higher body fat and impaired glucose tolerance at 8 weeks old, despite the offspring never consuming stevia. The detriment was (at least in part) attributed to altered gut microbiomes, including a reduction in Lactobacillus species and overabundance of Porphyromonadaceae (many species of which are infectious and associated with health problems, including gingivitis, liver cirrhosis, and colorectal carcinoma), in both the pregnant and lactating moms and their pups.
Bottomline, these studies show that stevia can suppress the growth of key probiotic strains and magnifies dysbiosis of the gut eventually leading to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diabetes, obesity and cancer. (source)
2. Stevia Is an Endocrine Disruptor. The fact that steviol glycosides have a steroid hormone structure should raise immediate concerns. Examples of steroid hormones are cortisol, testosterone, progesterone and estrogen. So, it’s not really surprising that steviol glycosides act like a hormone and interact with hormone systems in our body.
So, what exactly is an endocrine disruptor? Basically, it’s any chemical that messes up any hormone, hormone receptor, or negative feedback loop in the endocrine system.
3. Stevia interacts with the sex hormones and lowers fertility. (source)
The 2016 study confirmed the endocrine-disrupting potential of stevioside, rebaudioside A and steviol on progesterone. In particular, stevia increases production of progesterone, while blocking (antagonizing) its receptor. Progesterone is essential for female reproductive health, including maintaining pregnancy, regulating the menstrual cycle, and fertility. In fact, progesterone receptor antagonists are used clinically as contraceptives and to terminate pregnancy. This information seems to confirm an impact of stevia on fertility, perhaps explaining the efficacy of the traditional use of the stevia plan to control fertility in women of the Guarani Indians in southern Brazil. (source)
4. All “stevia” in grocery stores is processed with toxic chemicals and over 85% of all stevia comes from China. Even the world’s top stevia marketer, international sugar giant Cargill, manufacturer of Truvia and PureVia with Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, has all of its stevia produced in China (source). And it’s reported that forced labor is used in production.
A $6.1 million final settlement was reached in a class action lawsuit against Cargill, Inc. The company falsely labeled and advertised Truvia Sweetener products as made primarily from all-natural ingredients. However, the sweetener contained all chemical and synthetic-based ingredients. While all documentation of the 40-step process that refined stevia goes through have been disappeared, this image illustrates that the steps are quite numerous.
What To Avoid and Why
(Excerpt and images via Food Babe Vani Hari).
“The 40-step patented process used to make Truvia should make you want to steer clear of this stevia product alone, but there are two other concerning ingredients added (not only to Truvia but other stevia products as well). Erythritol starts with genetically-engineered corn and then go through a complex fermentation process to come up with chemically, synthetically pure erythritol. Check out the manufacturing process below, and note it is fermented using a FUNGUS):
“Natural flavors” is another ingredient added to powdered and liquid stevia products, likely due to the fact that these products often develop a metallic taste. David Kessler (former head of the FDA) calls natural flavors a “food carnival” in your mouth. They are addictive brain excitotoxins, tricking your mind into wanting more and more. And they are anything but natural; that’s why I recommend putting products that contain “natural flavors” back on the shelf.
“Stevia in the Raw” and Pepsi Co’s “Pure Via,” sound pure and natural, but the first thing on their labels is “dextrose”. Dextrose is another sweetener derived from genetically-engineered corn and has a long complicated manufacturing process, just like erythritol.”
Despite this research, stevia is still available for sale as a sweetening additive in many processed food products. Occasional consumption of small amounts of stevia likely has little to no impact on general health. Think twice about stevia if you are struggling with fertility issues, hormone imbalances, or chronic disease. (source)
Make Your Own {Non-Processed} Stevia Extract {& Why I Do It}
“Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power, allowing it to control me].“ ~1 Corinthians 6:12 Amplified
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Suzanne
I had no idea! I haven’t tried it but was strongly considering trying it. Thank you for sharing!!
Debbie Ford
Thanks for the article. I’d like to add that erythritol is now linked to heart problems and blood clots. Have you seen the SweetLeaf brand of stevia? I buy the packets. Only ingredients are stevia, inulin, and silica. All organic. The company is family owned and the parent company is Wisdom Natural Foods. They make great tea, also. Let me know if you see anything negative about them.
Virginia Sissom
I am confused. First you talk about how bad stevia is for people with autoimmune diseases or gut dysbiosis (I have both of these issues)…..then you give us in a separate article the directions for making our own homemade liquid stevia sweetener to use.
This is disheartening for someone who is trying hard to clean up their diet and reverse insulin resistance. I have been using stevia and erythritol blends of sweeteners because I want a no calorie way to sweeten foods and drinks I prepare. According to your researched article, are you suggesting I ditch the use of both? If I do so, are allulose and monk fruit any healthier to use? I need to sweeten my tea, drinks, occasional baked goods with something. Help! lol
Jacqueline
Virginia, please don’t be confused or disheartened..
I DO recommend what comes from the green leaves and basically what I make in the homemade stevia post is acceptable for us (unless one is in childbearing years and wants to have children) since it is not processed even a little!
It’s the chemicals added (such as solvents, bleaches and deodorizers) to it during the 40 or so steps in processing (some processes worse than others), altering it to be synthetic and not really just stevia any longer..
Plus MOST packaged stevia is made in China and not in your own kitchen!
I hope that makes sense.
All my recipe does is take green leaves, make tea and then concentrate it by cooking off the extra liquid!
Sending peace,
Jacque
M
J- Would you say that the Stevia leaves, powders, seeds from Mountain Herb is a safe option?
Thank you – M
Jacqueline
Hi, M!
Yes, I really like the care the MRH puts into their products. https://mountainroseherbs.com/
Here is their green, non-processed stevia powder: https://mountainroseherbs.com/stevia-leaf-powder
Re-reading your question, I don’t know Mountain Herb.
I hope that helps,
Jacque
Gwen
Thank you for all you do! You provide such invaluable information! 👍 I do have child bearing aged people in my household, so I’m wondering what healthy sweetener would you recommend? Thanks!!
Jacqueline
Hi, Gwen, it would make sense (in my humble opinion) to make your own stevia extract (from real green stevia leaves) or use honey, real maple syrup or coconut sugar in moderation.
https://deeprootsathome.com/make-your-own-non-processed-stevia-extract-2/
For many this is hard to hear, but going back to the old ways is truly best for the body in the long run.
Thank you for thinking about your young people! You are a blessing to them.
Jacque
Faith
Hi Jackie,
I’ve got a couple of questions/comments:
1. So would you say that it’s best not to use Stevia at all, even if you make it yourself from your own stevia leaves, as it can cause gut imbalance etc.?
2. Have you ever felt jittery after using stevia? Members of my family have felt jittery after consuming it — in different forms, not just Truvia or one of the big manufacturers. I was just curious if others have had that experience as well.
3.For sweeteners my family uses mostly coconut palm sugar, honey, maple syrup, and piloncillo (also known as panela) which is unrefined sugar, usually found in the form of a hard dark brown cone. (We grate ours to use in sweetening homemade ice-cream, oatmeal, cookies etc.)
Jacqueline
Hi, Faith, I believe the gut issues are caused by the processing, but not the real green leaves. However, I can’t say that with certainty bc I have not researched that deeply.
However, the traditional use of the stevia plant to control fertility in women of the Guarani Indians in Brazil seems to confirm the impact of stevia on fertility, so if someone is wanting to conceive I would avoid ALL forms of stevia including the green leaves.
I have not experienced jitters from refined (processed) stevia, just what I perceived to be addictive properties.
Yes, those sweeteners you list are definitely what I would prefer to see used.
I hope that helps,
Jacque
Heather
Thank you for sharing your research! I have been trying to eat according to Trim Healthy Mama, but they rely heavily upon stevia, erythritol, and xylitol. It sounds like it would be best to modify their suggestions and either make my own stevia extract or sweeten foods with honey, coconut sugar, etc. Is that what you would suggest? Thanks, again!
Jacqueline
Yes, Heather, with so many individuals with gut issues, hormonal issues and compromised fertility (or total infertility), it would make sense (in my humble opinion) to modify and make your own stevia extract or use honey or coconut sugar.
It seems the more we depend on sweet tastes, the more the body responds with a bump in insulin.
There’s just no way to cheat sweet.
This study shows that: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17510492/
And here is the PDF of this fascinating study: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/biomedres/28/2/28_2_79/_pdf/-char/en
I hate to be the bearer of this news, but with it people can make their own decisions.
Sending peace,
Jacque
Erica
Hello, what would you say about monk fruit? My 18 year old has a lot of hormone issues. So we went low carb and doing stevia and monk fruit but now I’m rethinking stevia. Monk fruit is just drops. What about xylitol? Thank you for any help.
Jacqueline
Hi, Erica, our own raw honey, organic coconut sugar, real maple syrup, and 100% monk fruit are what we are doing now – all in moderation.
The monk fruit we use is actually light brown showing it is not as processed as drops or anything white and flowing. It is called Smart Monk https://138foods.com/products/monk-fruit-natural-sweetener-3oz
There are no other ingredients which is good. Still we just use it occasionally. Xylitol is very questionable, and I don’t use it.
I hope that helps!
Jacque
Erica
Thank you so much. Sadly I tried asking a question on a Facebook group I’m apart of who encourages stevia in drinks, and sadly they wouldn’t even let the post get posted.
The monk fruit drops we do use are brown.
I’ve been having my daughter use a bit of honey and lime juice with salt now as she was using electrolytle drinks to help her adrenals. Do you know of any safe ones? She can not tolerate the heat at all and sweats a ton! Thank you so much for your kindness. I really appreciate it.
Jacqueline
Hi, Erica,
As you may be finding, most electrolyte drinks add artificial chemical sweeteners, artificial (synthetic)food dyes or (neurotoxic) natural flavors.
I don’t know the Monk product you are referring to with brown drops, but interested so I can look at it.
If you are open to homeopathy, this is what I use in the morning only for my adrenals: https://www.elixirs.com/products.cfm?productcode=GL210
I hope that helps!
Sending peace,
Jacque
Erica Orner
https://138foods.com/products/monk-drops-liquid-monkfruit-extract