Atevia: Is is safe?

Stevia: Is it Safe?

Stevia comes from an herb that is cultivated in China. It is native to Paraguay and also grows in Brazil. The leaves have been used for centuries to make sweet teas, and to sweeten other foods with no evidence of harm. It is available in the United States and the European Union as a dietary supplement. It is also sold as a granular white powder. The powder has very few calories but is so sweet that to use it, you must dissolve it in water, then dispense the solution by drops. A teaspoon of the liquid is equivalent in sweetness of a whole cup of sugar. Stevia is safe for diabetics. Over the years, the FDA has turned down several requests to use stevia in foods. The agency cites a handful of studies suggesting that large amounts of stevia could be harmful. One study showed that high doses reduced sperm production and might cause infertility in male rats; another showed that when female hamsters were fed large amounts of a stevia derivative, they had smaller babies. Other studies indicated that stevia might be carcinogenic and might disrupt metabolism. About 180 new products including teas, potato snacks, dressing and beverages sweetened with it have been introduced around the world during the past year.
Gini Warner, MA