In my last blog post 10 pounds in 4 days, a reader wrote in and mentioned she used stevia to make the salt water flush we use on the Master Cleanse easier to go down. I wanted to share more about stevia because it’s a rather interesting natural product that most people don’t know about because of a controversial move by the FDA banning stevia from being labeled and sold as a sweetener.
I would like you to voice your opinion about whether you think this is fair, but first let’s talk about the benefits of stevia.
Stevia is a natural sweetener that comes from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, and is 300 times sweeter then sugar. What’s even more exciting is that stevia has zero calories, and research shows that it’s safe for diabetics (there’s some conflicting opinions on this as I’ll describe below)
Here’s where things get strange. If you’re thinking of picking up some stevia you won’t find it next to the sugar and other artificial sweeteners in your local grocery store because the FDA will not allow stevia to be labeled as a sweetener of any kind.
Stevia has to be labeled as a nutritional supplement which means you’ll have to go to a specialty health food store, or order it online because most grocery stores won’t carry it.
Dangers of Stevia – What Are Stevia’s Side Effects?
The FDA says it’s not safe. Those on the side of stevia say it’s a political move by the sugar and artificial sweetener camps to keep stevia from moving in on their business.
Here’s some information I dug up:
From wikipedia…
“A 1985 study reported that steviol, a breakdown product from stevioside and rebaudioside (two of the sweet steviol glycosides in the stevia leaf) is a mutagen in the presence of a liver extract of pre-treated rats but this finding has been criticized on procedural grounds that the data were mishandled in such a way that even distilled water would appear mutagenic. More recent animal tests have shown mixed results in terms of toxicology and adverse effects of stevia extract, with some tests finding steviol to be a weak mutagen while newer studies find no safety issues.”
Is stevia safe for someone with diabetes? That same wikipedia page had this to say about stevia and diabetes
“Other studies have shown stevia improves insulin sensitivity in rats and may even promote additional insulin production, helping to reverse diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Preliminary human studies show stevia can help reduce hypertension although another study has shown it has no effect on hypertension. Despite these more recent studies establishing the safety of stevia, government agencies have expressed concerns over toxicity, citing a lack of sufficient conclusive research.”
This is what www.stevia.com had to say about using stevia if you’re diabetic…
“Stevia can be a part of a healthy diet for anyone with blood sugar problems since it does not raise blood sugar levels. If in doubt, ask your doctor. However, if they do say no, ask them politely for the current research to support their opinion.”
It sounds to me like stevia is perfectly safe, but like many natural products that can’t be patented and sold as drugs the makers of stevia don’t have the cash to pay off the right people in Washington. But that’s just my opinion.
If you’re not sold on the FDA’s view of stevia and would like a second opinion consider this, stevia has been approved in Brazil, Japan, and China. It’s also being looked at for use in future Coca-Cola products.
If you’re ready to go ahead and try stevia you might have a hard time tracking it down. You’re mot going to find it in most grocery stores. It’s best to look for stevia in health food stores or order it online.
Stevia recipes and cooking with stevia
Cooking with stevia can be tricky. In it’s pure form it’s much sweeter then sugar, but most of the time you won’t be using pure stevia. This chart found here shows you how much stevia you’ll need to equal the same amount of sugar. It will show you the amounts for granulated stevia, liquid stevia extract, and pure stevia.
www.steviva.com/recipes has a list of some recipes you can try out for your self. Your first few dishes made with stevia might come out tasting funny as you get used to calculating the proper amounts to use. After a while you’ll get the hang of it and have no problems converting old recipes that used sugar over to stevia.
Do You Think The FDA Should Allow Stevia To Be Sold As A Sweetener In The United States Of America?Â
I would like to hear your thoughts. I’m not a bombastic type person who’s locked in to an iron clad belief system, but I think stevia could help society. Let’s face it, American’s aren’t going to give up sweets any time soon, and if stevia can do the same job as sugar without the calories I think our government is obligated to allow Americans the option of choosing stevia by placing it next to sugar on the grocery store shelf.
Please leave your comments below…
{ 101 comments… read them below or add one }
Raylen, thank you so much for sharing this. I get so frustrated when I see how the FDA is allowing our foods to be pumped full of hormones, approving drugs that kill people, and then using strong are tactics to force the little guy with a superior product that can help humanity from competing with the big players.
There’s all this talk about “free market capitalism”, but the reality is if you don’t have multi-millions to grease the greedy palms of the right people you can’t even enter the market. That doesn’t sound like a “free market” to me.
I hope I’m not sounding like some nutty conspiracy theorist, but I just don’t feel the system is working like it should.
~ Madelina
Very good article. I’ve been using Stevia for over a year now and it’s not only good for you, it’s delicious. I get the liquid drops which make it easy to carry with me for eating out.
Right on, Madelina. My feelings exactly!
Libby
Dear sirs. I am 80 years old and have been around long enough to know a good product when i use it..Stevia is one of the best. I wish it were easier to find in mainland grocery stores however I shall continue to get it from Health food stores and especially “Trader JoES” STORE.. i WOULD SURE LIKE TO GET A COOKBOOK –cAN YOU TELL ME WHERE (ON STEVIA, OF COURSE”.) Thank you in advance..Mrs (widow) Terry Telles–an 80 year old Senior Stevia Fan..
When we lived on the farm and ate everything there was on the farm, we were not overweight, we were healthy and so were our kids and there was no ADHD which, in my opinion, is nothing but a body loaded with chemicals from food, hormones from meat. When I lived on a feedlot where they injected the cattle 5 things as soon as they came off the truck to go into the feedlot, I gained 60 lbs in a year. No one can tell me that the hormone residue doesn’t stay in meat. My thyroid got damaged and I have had a weight problem ever since. I don’t think the FDA has a right to tell me I can’t drink farm milk, unpasteurized, bought fresh from the farmer or whatever I choose to put in my body. It is my choice, not theirs and after hearing they are supposed to be spraying almonds in the States in September, I think we should have the FDA banned and a new group started in the interests of the people who choose to live healthy. Communisim is in our own governments. Where is the free, land of the brave? Our people go over their to fight for freedom and yet are poisoned every day in what they are given to eat. God help us all. I used Sucaryl when it was on the market and had some of the best health in my life. It never bothered me. I think it is time people started to rally for health. Nothing is safe to eat anymore according to everything we read. Let’s all grow our own and all get our own cows, chickens, and gardens tell the government not to trespass on our freedom. If we all withheld our taxes until they got the FDA out of power and replaced, I wonder how much power they would have??
Sparkle
I live in Georgia and I was surprised when I saw it, but I can buy Stevia packets in Wal-Mart and Publix (Southeast grocery store) right next to the sugar and other sweetners. It does seem that the other kinds are harder to find though.
Raylen, 3 words to you.”Good looking out”. I
am a diabetic and i can always use good news
Thanks,Kathy
Wow. This was very insightful. I’m a fan of stevia. It sure beats all the other sweetners on the market.
It often pays to look closely at who is funding these studies. Its unusual to find studies on natural products unless someone has a hidden agenda. It is always easy to manipulate the results to show the bad effects rather than the good effects. Why aren’t some chemo drugs banned when the statistics for the results with some cancers are so dismal!
Sandy
We have stevia growing in our herb garden. It is very difficult to keep it as the grandchildren eat the raw leaves! If you can’t make a million dollars from it by patenting it then, the FDA will (try to) shut it down. GROW YOUR OWN!!!
Great Article, I am going to check into this Stevia. It sounds like it it worth the effort.
Yvonne
I’m a Strength & Conditioning Coach and supply many of my Athletes and Clients with a Protein Supplement that is sweetened with Stevia. I can’t nderstand the FDA nor do I want to. Some of my Professional Athletes with Diabetes found Stevia sweetened supplements & products a Godsend. Thanks for keeping me informed.
I have found stevia packets WITH added inulin fiber under the name SWEET LEAF PLUS. The added fiber is a nice bonus for those of us that need it…I am beginning to see it at our local food markets, nice convenience! I’ve been trying to convert my mother in law and their household because they experience many stomach ailments since they have switched to Splenda…we don’t use any artificial sweetners here. We dropped Nutrasweet after finding it kills the ants in our yard and on the counter. Kinda scary the things that are approved for us to eat.
I have done master cleanse 3 times and happy with the results every time,my sugars have leveled and my bones stop hurting awsome feeling when you are completing the 10th day but I may try to go further next cleanse..
Question have you had any reports with someone doing the cleanse and helping there body with the candida Please answer ????
I would feel more comfortable about the Stevia claims if they came from the American Diabetes Association or other sources rather than Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a site where anyone can add content. The claims may or may not be true.
I asked my daughter who is a massage therapist if she could get me information on a cleanse diet since I have a bit of muscle pain all the time. She brought home a little post it note with the lemon juide recipe (Lemon juice, Grade B maple syrup and cayenne pepper) for the cleanse diet. I looked it up on line and confirmed that it was the right recipe. I bought lemnos on a chim, found the maple syrup and started the next day. I did it for 14 days and had NO problem staying on it. I didn’t do any mental prep or anything. I though it was the easiest thing I had ever done to lose weight. I have been repeating it on cycles for weight lose. I think it is awesome for weight lose. I don’t know why you don’t.
Hi I was wondering if it is possible to grow stevia,thanks Bob
I read the following paragraphs on Stevia.com about the FDA position on stevia as a “sweetener”. Is this still true, and does it mean it can’t be advertised as a “sweetener” or does it only mean that stevia should not be labeled a “sweetener”?
“In September of 1995, the FDA revised its import alert to allow Stevia and its extracts to be imported as a food supplement but not as a sweetener. Yet, it defines Stevia as an unapproved food additive, not affirmed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) in the United States. The following is a portion of this revised alert:”
“If Stevia is to be used in a dietary supplement for a technical effect, such as use as a sweetener or flavoring agent, and is labeled as such, it is considered an unsafe food additive. However, in the absence of labeling specifying that stevia is being or will be used for technical effect, use of stevia as a dietary ingredient in a dietary supplement is not subject to the food additive provisions of FD & C ACT.”
Word up!
I think the FDA should be dismantled. It is run by corruption and serves no purpose but the profit of food and drug companies.
Dear Sirs;
I have been using stevia for at least 7-8 years without any problems and in fact I use it not only internally but externally as well. The Indians in South America use it topically as well for skin irritations and the reduction of wrinkles. I am 47 and my skin has never looked better thanks to stevia. I make solutions for the skin with stevia for my friends and they swear by it as well. Stevia is great in our opinion and experience. If the FDA thinks stevia is dangerous than what should we think of other sweetners they have pounded down our throats ? I am all for (honest) scientific research and keeping an open mind but I just wonder what is the FDA up to when you look back on the mistakes they have made.
The US is not the only country doing research people and so many times our research is not of a high standard. This is very hard for many Americans to stomach but we do need to become a world citizen if only to protect ourselves.
Olivia
The Language Connection
stevia should be allowed but why do we have to have permission of the government we all know what there about it all about profits if it was something to do with death then it would be allowed.
It is the FDA that should be banned!!
I think you are exactly right about Stevia and the Sugar/Artificial Sugar forces.
That’s why homeopathy fell out of favor in the early 20th century. There was more money to be made in artificial drugs than in the natural remedies. Stevia is a wonderful substitute for sugar. Thanks for your article!
the FDA should be called th “f*cking Dumb Administration!”
KEEPING AMERICAN FAT AND UNHEALTHY IS THE BIGGEST MONEY MAKING SCAM IN THE WORLD. THE PHARMACEUTICCAL COMPANYS AND FDA ARE GETTING RICH OFF OUR MISERY. ANYONE EVER WONDER WHY DOCTORS GIVE U MORE AND MORE PRESCRIPTIONS INSTEAD OF SENDING YOU TO THERAPHY FOR BACK PAIN OR WEIGHT LOSS CENTER FOR WEIGHT CONTROL? LET’S STOP MAKING THE RICH RICHER AND START LOOKING INTO NATURAL, HERB HEALING WAYS TO IMPROVE OUR HELP. THANKS FOR KEEPING US UPDATED ON THE UNDERHANDED DEALINGS IN OUR COUNTRY.
I am an Australian who has been using stevia instead of sugar for three years, with no adverse effects. I have regular checks with my gp, kinesiologist and naturopath, and all are happy. I’ve never been even close to a diabetic in my blood tests, even though, for me, chocolate is a food group. Maybe the stevia helps me keep the choccy balanced.
Here in Oz, we too have to purchase stevia from the health food store. It may seem dear initially, but the amount needed is so miniscule that it winds up way more cost effective than sugar.
I don’t and won’t use those chemicals that big companies want to poison us with.
Keep up the good work, and the great information flow – thanks!
PS
Olivia from
The Language Connection
mentioned creating skin preparations from stevia
I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to know more – please?
I have a question. Raylen, is it safe to use stevia during the MC? I love drinking tea but I usually like it sweeter. Can i add stevia to the herbal tea???
yes definately!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll tell you what I think. I think it’s a load of crap. My boyfriend suffers from hypoclycemia. Nothing worked until he started taking Stevia. Within 2 weeks, it disappeared, just like that. I think there are some organizationn, (wonder who) that want to keep us all ill, or going to the pharmacy 24/7. What a load.
Just my opinion.
PO’d in Missouri
My wife and I have have tried many different sweetners since she is type 2 diabetic. While I was not aware of the FDA non-approval, I must say that Stevia tastes terrible. It’s more bitter than saccharin (which we don’t use) to us. Our local health food store gave sample packets out one day and we had some in our coffee. Not good.
My boyfriend told me that they have been selling stevia products in Brazil and Japan for about 20 years now with great and popular success. It sounds more like the artificial sweeteners current industry here in the U.S. is afraid of competition. I doubt they’d have to worry if stevia were allowed to be sold and marketed as an alternative sweetener in the US. There are so many different consumers buying products, and many are very brand and product loyal. While I am sure stevia would sell well legally here (we’ve tried it many times and were quite pleased with it with no bad effects), this is a huge country with a big population of buyers, I think the other artificial sweetener makers would still be making enough money along with stevia.
Yes, Stevia should be allowed to be sold as a sweetener in the U. S.
Look at all the evidence that shows what damage artificial sweeteners do to the human body, plus they really do cause people to gain weight, not lose weight.
I started using Stevia years ago when it first was introduced. I stopped using it because I didn’t like the taste it left in my mouth after using it in coffee or tea.
But, it doesn’t leave an off taste in cooking with it.
I switched to Splenda, then starting reading all of the bad things it does to your health, so I quit using it.
I finally switched over to raw sugar, from the health food store. We don’t have any white sugar in our home, as that has chlorine, plus other detrimental ingredients in it.
The white sugar industry controls so many food markets, it’s unbelievable!
If something could be done to change the bad aftertaste of Stevia, we would go back to using it again.
Here is a website where you can buy Stevia with no bitter aftertaste;
http://www.nunaturals.com/index.html
I’m going to try it.
Do you have an affiliate program for your ebooks?
I am diabetic (type 2) and am interested in the master cleanse for detox and weight loss. The recipe calls for grade b maple syrup. Should I, a diabetic be concerned about using this syrup? Could I use stevia in the recipe instead of the maple syrup or is the grade b maple syrup a necessary part of the recipe? Please let me know.
Thanks!
Jim Coleman
colemanater@qwest.net
Permit the use of stevia as an alternative
to sugar with the assumption that a consumer
will hopefully research data regarding stevia
prior to use–thanks.
I just emailed coca-cola and suggested stevia for their diet coke products, etc. I had thought of stevia for diet sodas years ago. Also , years ago I had wrote to the coca-cola company in Downey, Ca and had suggested they replace saccharin (cancerous) with Aspartame and they wrote me back and thanked me for my suggestion and then in no time we had coke with aspartame. Now we know that Aspartame has it’s own unhealthful issues and I do not use it anymore because get headachess from it. Now I am all for Stevia and hope the coca-cola company will take heed of my latest suggestion.
The article is informative. But why would anyone want to eat something with Stevia in it because it is 300 to 400 times sweeter than sugar? I don’t like the taste or after-taste, and can’t stand the sweetness. Also, I think it makes one addictive desiring the sweet taste, leaving one dissatisfied.
Joy
I believe the FDA is a useless agency who makes money for the food and drug industries. I have no respect for the opinion or findings of the FDA. I usually believe the opposite of what they recomend. The agency should be shut down. It is more dangerous to the American public than it is of any real use to the American public.
Well no disrespect to anyone, but I personally will not miss the stuff. My husband and myself like things very sweet. Stevia is the nastiest tasting stuff around. I know a lot of peple love it. If you like bitter sweet it is great.
I found something else much better and more healthier for you and I used it on the master cleanser diet in my teas. It is called Xylitol now there are a lot of makers of this product, but now there is only one that is any good and that comes from globalsweet.com. It is all natural and has a lot of very good benifits. You should check it out.
I would have to see the research and evidence behind using stevia. Wikipedia and the Stevia website are not sufficient evidence-based resources. I would have to see actual research articles before supporting or denying the use of Stevia.
It’s amazing how low the United States government will stoop these days. Power hungry, warmongering thieves. And that’s all I think is necessary for me to say.
and seriously for you people who keep saying you need more officialy proof that Stevia works than Wikipedia, why don’t you ask some of the people on this board that have used it. I’ve read several comments saying that hypoglycemia was cured after starting to use Stevia, or other such claims. What is better proof than experience? I certainly wouldn’t go by anything the F*cking Dipsh*t Administration says.
I have used a liquid Stevia for a few years to sweeten tea and only need 3 drops. I haven’t tried it for baking recipes yet. I think it’s a great product and think more people should know about it. I wish the FDA would be willing to approve of good, healthy things for us and ban things like MSG and aspartame that are both known to chemically affect our brain cells and cause lots of health problems. But they are unwilling to ban both because the food industry uses them both so much. In some countries, like France they have food coloring banned.
Lorna
Thanks for the article. I am a diabetic (type 2) and have been using Stevia since 1998.
When you use Stevia in drinks or on food you don’t need a lot, not even one whole
packet. It is very sweet.
I think if you use too much of it, may give a bitter taste. It taste fine to me I don’t use that much.
I think the FDA should be banned. Approving such products as Splenda (which has Chlorine), Aspartane, (which gave me headaches)Sucaryl and Saccharin. These products are poisoning our bodies.
There is another natural product that is on the market. It is like Stevia. It is called Xylitol. I don’t know too much about it.
I have told all friends and family about this product and they love it.
I have brought it at Kroger (some not all)stores as well as Whole Foods.
I think if the people stop buying sugar maybe the government will remove all the artificial products off the market. Then try natural products.
I know this won’t happened because this is big business – money.
With informative articles like yours it will educate the public about certain food products.
I feel we need to have more choices when it comes to natural versus “manufactured” treatments and do not feel that the FDA has the right to ban a natural product while it approves drugs that have so many side effects that they can be worse than the condition you take them for. I believe we need to look into more wholeistic treatments. I have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and HATE the taste and AFTER TASTE of artificial sweeteners. I think that Stevia is just what I need. Thank you for the information and keep us informed of other natural alternatives to drugs.
I am very interested in the Master Cleanse. My doc can take awhile to respond to calls, so I thought I would ask here first (aside from the standard “check with your doc first” reply, which I will do, has anyone done this when they are on sezure meds, due to brain trauma??? Hope so, cuz I really want to do this! sandra
i am deeply wanting to do the master cleanse–i tried it one day and my headaches were unbearable–i wish the download for secrets was more affordable
Yes, Stevia is clearly a sweetener–I’ve been using it for 3 years for endless recipes and as a beverage sweetener & love it!