RESEARCH ARTICLE


Stevia: It`s Not Just About Calories



Jocelynn E. Thomas*, 1, Michael J. Glade2
1 Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA
2 The Nutrition Doctor, Skokie, IL, USA

Article Information


Identifiers and Pagination:

Year: 2010
Volume: 2
First Page: 101
Last Page: 109
Publisher Id: TOOBESJ-2-101
DOI: 10.2174/1876823701002010101

Article History:

Received Date: 28/07/2009
Revision Received Date: 24/02/2010
Acceptance Date: 19/05/2010
Electronic publication date: 23/5/2010
Collection year: 2010

© 2010 Thomas and Glade.

open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA; Tel: (908) 797-9929; E-mail: jocelynnthomas@yahoo.com


Abstract

Objective:

Although stevia leaf extract is an accepted sugar substitute that can contribute to improved caloric management and weight control, it also may enhance other aspects of human health. The effectiveness and safety of stevia leaf extract in these additional roles was evaluated.

Methods:

A detailed literature review was conducted and summarized.

Results:

An extract of the leaf of the herb, Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (“stevia”) is a natural, sweet-tasting, noncaloric substance and does not produce unhealthy side effects. In addition, the inclusion of stevia leaf extracts in the diet has been associated with antihyperglycemic, insulinotropic, glucagonostatic, hypotensive, anticariogenic, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory and chemopreventative responses.

Conclusion:

Stevia leaf extracts and their constituent phytonutrients promote caloric balance and can be beneficial components of a healthy dietary lifestyle.

Keywords: Stevia, glucose, blood pressure, sweetener, immunostimulation.