STEVIA PHYTO MEDICAL PROPERTIES OF STEVIA

It can be safely used by diabetics since it does not produce significant glycemic effects. Stevia substitution can be a good alternative in diabetics. Its leaves have been used as herbal teas by diabetic patients in Asian countries for years. No side effects have been observed in these patients after many years of continued consumption (Suttajit, 1993). Furthermore, studies have shown that stevia can actually improve blood sugar levels (Alvarez, 1981, Curi, 1986). In 1986, Brazilian researchers from the Universities of Maringa and Sao Paolo evaluated the role of stevia in blood sugar (Curi, 1986). Sixteen healthy volunteers were given extracts of 5 grams of stevia leaves every six hours for three days. The extracts from the leaves were prepared by immersing them in boiling water for 20 minutes. A glucose tolerance test (GTT) was performed before and after the administration of the extract and the results were compared to another group who did not receive the stevia extracts. During a GTT, patients are given a glass of water with glucose and their blood sugar levels are evaluated over the next few hours. Those who have a predisposition to diabetes will have a marked rise in blood sugar levels. The volunteers on stevia were found to have significantly lower blood sugar levels after ingestion of stevia. This is a positive indication that stevia can potentially be beneficial to diabetics who substitute stevia in order to decrease their sugar consumption. Even if stevia by itself is not able to lower blood sugar levels, just the fact that a diabetic would consume less sugar is of significant importance in maintaining better blood sugar control.

If you're diabetic, chances are you consume a large amount of artificial sweeteners and you may be concerned about switching to stevia since long-term human studies have not been done with this herb. This is more or less due to the fact the the sugar lobby blocks the active marketing of stevia. You may also be accustomed in your use of these artificial sweeteners and would not be willing to completely stop them. One option is to gradually use less of them while substituting stevia. For instance, you can initially use stevia in some of your drinks, like coffee or tea. After a few weeks, if your comfort level with stevia increases, you can gradually use more of the herbal extract. Over the next few weeks and months you can either switch completely to stevia, or you can continue using it in combination with artificial sweeteners. Based on the results, you can determine to continue using in a larger amount. It's also quite possible that artificial sweeteners may be safe in low amounts, but problems could arise when they are used in excessive quantities. By partially or mostly substituting stevia, you can reduce any potential risk (by Dr. Ray Sahelian).

Stevioside has been found to affect hepatic glycogen synthesis. A study was undertaken on the influence of stevioside and steviol on the glycogen levels of fasted rats. In one set of experiments single doses of stevioside or steviol, with fructose, were given orally to rats, which had fasted for 24 hours. Both stevioside and steviol increased the initial glycogen deposition in the liver. In another set ofexperiments, stevioside or steviol were given to the rats in the drinking water at the beginning of the fasting periods. Increased hepatic glycogen levels were found with stevioside; no effect was seen with steviol.3 Stevioside and steviol stimulate insulin secretion via direct action on beta cells. A study was undertaken to reveal the mechanism for the blood glucose-lowering effect of stevioside and steviol, using normal mouse islets and the betacell lines. Both stevioside and steviol dosedependently enhanced insulin secretion from incubated mouse islets in the presence of glucose. The effects on INS-1 cells were also investigated. Stevioside and steviol both potentiated insulin secretion from INS-1 cells. Neither stevioside nor steviol influenced the plasma membrane K+ adenosine triphosphate sensitive channel activity, nor did they alter cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in islets.4 Stevia increases glucose tolerance. This study investigated the effect of aqueous extracts of Stevia rebaudiana leaves on a glucose tolerance test in 16 normal volunteers. Aqueous extracts of 5 grams of leaves were administered to volunteers at regular 6 hourly intervals for 3 days, with glucose tolerance tests performed before and after extract administration. The extract of Stevia rebaudiana increased glucose tolerance; it significantly decreased plasma glucose levels during the test and after overnight fasting in all volunteers.5

It would seem quite obvious that substituting a no-calorie sweetener to sugar would help reduce caloric intake and thus contribute to weight loss. And such is the case with aspartame. Researchers at the Center for the Study of Nutrition Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, studied the influence of aspartame on obesity (Blackburn, 1997). One hundred sixty-three women were randomly assigned to consume or to abstain from aspartame-sweetened foods and beverages for 16 weeks. Both groups were also actively involved in a weight-control program using a variety of modalities. At the end of the 16 weeks, both the group on aspartame and the group without the synthetic sweetener lost 10 kilograms. During the maintenance phase that lasted the next two years, women assigned to the aspartame-treatment group gained back 4.5 kilogram, whereas those not on aspartame gained back 9.4 kilograms, practically all the weight they had previously lost. The researchers state, "These data suggest that participation in a multidisciplinary weight-control program that includes aspartame may facilitate the long-term maintenance of reduced body weight."

Unfortunately, no formal studies have been done evaluating stevia substitution in relation to weight loss. We would suspect, though, that the results would be similar to the aspartame study discussed above. If you are the type of person who adds sugar to your morning coffee or tea, or to iced tea, lemonade, and a variety of desserts and baked goods, then, over time, the elimination of these refined sugar calories could make a significant difference (by Dr. Ray Sahelian).

Studies have indicated it may reduce cavities by slowing the grown of plaque in the mouth.Even a five-year old child knows that sugar causes tooth cavities. There are certain bacteria in our mouths, particularly streptococci mutans, that ferment various sugars to produce acids. These in turn eat through the enamel of the tooth causing pockets or cavities. For a long time, scientists have searched to find alternative sweeteners that are not fermentable by bacteria and hence do not cause cavities. Artificial sweeteners have been helpful in this regard.

Does ingesting stevia lead to tooth cavities? A study done on rats has not shown this to be case. Stevioside and rebaudioside A, the two primary sweet constituents of the stevia plant, were tested in a group of sixty rat pups (Das, 1992) in the following way: Group 1 was fed sucrose (table sugar), at 30 percent of their diet, Group 2 was given 0.5 percent of their diet in stevioside, Group 3 got 0.5 percent of their diet in rebaudioside A., Group 4 ingested no sugars. After 5 weeks, all four groups had their teeth evaluated. There were no differences in food and water intake and weight gain between the four groups. However, the first group had significantly more cavities than the rest of the groups. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were equivalent. The researchers state, "It was concluded that neither stevioside nor rebaudioside A is cariogenic [cavity causing] under the conditions of this study." It appears that the chemicals within the stevia plant that impart its sweetness are not fermentable, and thus do not cause tooth cavities.

Use in Children candies, sodas, ice cream, pies, cakes... it's disturbing how many sweet products are ingested by children on a daily basis. All that sugar can lead to tooth cavities and obesity. We believe that partially substituting with stevia can help children satisfy their sweet tooth while decreasing the risks from excessive sugar intake. Provide your children with tasty sweets that will satisfy their sweet teeth but not cause damage to the teeth. Obesity in children is a growing problem in this country and any method we have of helping children reduce their caloric intake will be greatly beneficial

We also are concerned with children over consuming excessive amounts of artificial sweeteners. The potential, long-term health consequences of saccharin and aspartame ingestion are currently not fully known, but they do need to be kept in mind. Eliminating all artificial sweeteners will be a frustrating enterprise since they are extremely prevalent. However, by partially substituting stevia in homemade desserts, you can significantly reduce your children's exposure to these artificial chemicals. Hopefully, with time, stevia can be added to a variety of sodas, candies, gums, and other foods in the US, just like it is done in Japan and other countries already for many years(by Dr. Ray Sahelian).

A 1-year double-blind study of 106 individuals given stevia extract found evidence of a significant reduction in blood pressure beginning at 3 months. 4 In the treated group, the average blood pressure at the beginning of the study was about 166/102. By the end of the study, this had fallen to 153/90. In contrast, no significant reductions were seen in the placebo group.

In 1991, Dr. M.S. Melis, from the Department of Biology at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, gave a one-time high dose injection of stevioside to rats and found that it caused a reduction in blood pressure as well as an increased elimination of sodium (Melis, 1991). A slight diuretic effect also occurred. The effect was additive when stevia was combined with verapamil (a medicine used to lower blood pressure in humans who have high blood pressure). Dr. Melis repeated a similar study in 1995. This time, he administered extracts of stevia to rats for 20, 40, and 60 days. After 20 days, there were no changes in the stevia-treated rats compared to the control group (the ones that didn't receive the extracts). However, after 40 or 60 days of administering the extract, there was a lowering of blood pressure, a diuretic effect was noted along with loss of sodium. The amount of blood going to the kidneys was increased.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, multicentre study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of stevioside in hypertension. The study group consisted of 106 Chinese hypertensive subjects with ages ranging from 28 to 75 years and diastolic blood pressure between 95 and 110 mmHg. Of the subjects there were 60 allocated to active treatment and 46 to placebo treatment. Each subject was given capsules containing stevioside (250 mg) or placebo thee times daily and followed-up at monthly intervals for one year. After three months, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the stevioside group decreased significantly, and the effect persisted during the whole year. There was no significant changes in blood biochemistry parameters including lipid and glucose, no significant adverse effects, and no deterioration in quality of life.6

Water-based Stevia has been used on skin problems such as acne, seborrhea, eczema and dermatitis. Pure Stevia has also been used for minor cuts and abrasions with a minimized chance for scarring.

One of the most interesting uses of water-based Stevia is in the area of skin care. Many, many people have used Stevia directly on the skin as a wrinkle reducer and results are noticed immediately. A few drops of water-based Stevia are placed directly on the skin and left there to dry for approximately 1/2 hour to one hour. Simply rinse off and notice the immediate change.

Clients report extremely favorable results upon using Stevia as a sweetener, and/or as a wrinkle reducer.

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