Dangers of Stevia

There is definitely much press nowadays about different products designed to enhance your health, with the focus on the natural and organic foods and herbal supplements. One such herb is stevia, a sweet herb derived from a plant related to the sunflower family. As with any herb, one should research the pros and cons – and in this case, the dangers of stevia are quite apparent, and should be brought to the forefront for all consumers to make an educated purchasing decision. What makes stevia attractive to many is how potent of a sweetener it is, packing up to 300 times the sweet power compared to sugar. You would consider something like this ideal, since you barely need to use it and because it is void of carbs and caloric content. But the stevia danger hides behind the perceived benefit.

Potent Side Effects
Usually, when you consider side effects, you equate that to what happens when you are taking a drug, be it over-the-counter or especially with prescription drugs. Yet, there are many stevia sweetener side effects people need to be aware of. The good news is, most of the side effects are short and temporary; you will not experience these for very long. However, if you are not a fan of gas or bloating, nausea, dizziness, or muscle pain, this is not the sweetener you should reach for. There have even been reports of numbness caused by use of stevia. These stevia side effects and warnings should be considered seriously, especially if you plan on driving or operating heavy machinery after consumption.

Other Critical Warnings
Stevia has been very controversial where pregnancy is involved. Being so new to the market, inadequate testing has been performed to determine the safety – or lack thereof – of using the sweetener by pregnant women. Of course, being pregnant is a wonderful event in a woman’s life. There have been studies to indicate that stevia side effects could include its ability to perform as a contraceptive; yet, there have also been studies to the contrary. In general, if you are trying to get pregnant, better to err on the side of caution and use an alternate form of sweetening. And if you do become pregnant, beware of the potential cancer-causing ability stevia presents. Also, watch for excessively low blood pressure and blood sugar – while the herb is great for keeping these two low, getting too low can actually be quite harmful and dangerous – especially to a fetus.

Evaluate these stevia dangers carefully. Consult with your physician to get expert and professional health tips to determine whether using stevia makes sense for you. Together, you can arrive at a conclusion and dietary choice that could make a huge difference in your long-term health and well-being for years to come. Good health should be carefully guarded – and cherished forever.

 

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