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Everyone knows that sugar is really bad for you. It not only causes weight gain, but can also lead to several medical conditions, cause acne and increase your risk of depression. So many of us have turned to sugar alternatives when looking for ways to sweeten our foods and drinks without the risk.
But there is one artificial sweetener that many people use because it seems healthy, that is actually pretty bad for you.
Stevia is a really popular sweetener because it is plant-based with no calories and very few carbs. This sounds too good to be true, and in some ways it might be. New studies have found that stevia might be bad for your gut health and can even cause inflammation or bloating.
And, it turns out that the Food and Drug Administration has been wary about stevia for decades. Stevia was even banned in the U.S. in 1991 due to reports that it may cause cancer. Studies have since refuted these concerns, which is why stevia is currently available and widely used.
Still, the evidence that stevia may impact your gut health and cause bloating may be a reason for concern for many people considering using the sweetener.
Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, CLC, of Maya Feller Nutrition, told The/Thirty, "Researchers are regularly examining potential negative side effects of food additives.Within the last five years, studies have found that people may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, bloating, and even diarrhea when consuming large amounts of stevia on a regular basis.
Feller continued, “These symptoms may be exacerbated in people who are sensitive when stevia is combined with certain sugar alcohols. There may also be changes in hormone signaling and function because a metabolite of stevia may function as an endocrine disruptor."
If you still want to try stevia, first start with using it in small amounts to see how your body reacts to it. If you find that your digestion has slowed down or you experience bloating, stevia might not be the right sweetener for you.
