Do you use Poisonous Stevia? Did you know it’s poisonous? Who would know? It’s supposed to be all-natural, isn’t it? It comes from a naturally growing leaf, so how could it be poisonous? This sounds crazy—I can’t believe Stevia could be harmful. It couldn’t be… could it?
BUT IT IS.
According to Wikipedia:
Most of this information comes directly from the Internet. In my clinical practice, I have never found an instance where Stevia has supported anyone’s health. In fact, I have consistently found that all forms of Stevia are toxic.
Symptoms Caused by Stevia
According to a recent survey, people who have used Stevia as a sugar substitute have reported numerous ailments that appear over time. Stevia’s side effects have been linked to considerable damage to metabolism. Both men and women have raised concerns about its adverse effects on fertility. It’s also known to cause significant harm to the central nervous system. In rare cases, traces of psychosomatic behavior have surfaced. Common side effects include fever, headaches, migraines, nausea, and weakness, which are frequently reported among users. Symptoms may worsen over time. It is highly recommended to stop using Stevia sweeteners immediately if any of these symptoms occur. The damage Stevia can cause to the central nervous system is irreparable. It is strongly advised to begin treatment for Stevia side effects as soon as possible.
More Information on the Toxicity of Stevia:
Here’s what concerns toxicologists:
Reproductive problems: European scientists concluded that Stevioside “seems to affect the male reproductive system.” When male rats were fed high doses of Stevioside for 22 months, sperm production decreased, the weight of seminal vesicles (which produce seminal fluid) declined, and there was an increase in cell proliferation in their testicles, which could lead to infertility or other issues. In a separate study, when female hamsters were fed large amounts of a derivative of Stevioside called Steviol, they had fewer and smaller offspring. Would small amounts of Stevia cause reproductive problems? No one knows for sure.
Cancer: In the laboratory, Steviol can be converted into a mutagenic compound, which may promote cancer by causing mutations in cells’ DNA. “We don’t know if this conversion of Stevioside to Steviol to a mutagen happens in humans,” says Huxtable. “It’s probably a minor issue, but it clearly needs to be investigated.”
Energy metabolism: Very large amounts of Stevioside can interfere with carbohydrate absorption in animals and disrupt the conversion of food into energy within cells. “This may be of particular concern for children,” Huxtable adds.
Click on this link to learn more about Stevia.
Many countries, including the United States, do not allow Stevia to be added to pre-packaged food products. The U.S. isn’t alone—Canada also prohibits food companies from adding Stevia to their products, as does the European Union. Last year, the scientific panel that reviews food ingredient safety for the EU concluded that Stevioside is “not acceptable” as a sweetener.
