Sweet Leaf
Stevia rebaudiana
Stevia, a South American plant whose leaves give sugar-free sweeteners. Short human studies found little effect on blood sugar or weight.
Safety at a glance
- PregnancyNothing recorded
- BreastfeedingNothing recorded
- MedicinesNothing recorded
- Who should avoid itNothing recorded
- AllergiesNothing recorded
- ToxicityNothing recorded
Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.
What is Sweet Leaf?
- Plant family
- Asteraceae, the daisy family
- Parts used
- The leaves
- Where it grows
- Parts of South America
- Genus
- Stevia
- Species
- rebaudiana
Also called
Stevia
Traditionally used for
- Sweetener
Traditionally described as
- Contains steviol glycosides
Natural compounds
Safety
Depends on how it's prepared
In the US, highly purified stevia sweeteners (at least 95% steviol glycosides) are accepted as safe in food. Whole stevia leaf and crude stevia extracts aren't, and they can't be imported as sweeteners.[1]Health agency
Technical detail: acceptable daily intake 4 mg/kg body weight per day, as steviol equivalents (JECFA).
What does the research say?
Research in people
Sweeteners made from stevia leaves taste sweet with little or no calories. In short human studies, they had no clear effect on blood sugar, insulin, blood fats, appetite hormones or gut bacteria. Replacing sugar with stevia led to very small weight changes. The studies lasted three months at most, and longer ones are needed.[2]Study
In short
In the US, only highly purified stevia extracts are accepted as safe in food; whole leaf and crude extracts aren't.
Sources
- [1] Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food — U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationGovernment health agency
- [2] Stevia Rebaudiosides Usage as a Sugar Reduction Tool: A Narrative Review of Their Metabolic, Gut Microbiome and Weight Management Effects in Human Clinical Studies · DOI: 10.3390/nu18122002Peer-reviewed study
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.