Who uses stevia? Is it good for you?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2006
Who uses stevia? Is it good for you?
16
Sun, 02-24-2008 - 12:50pm

With all the buzz about artificial sweeteners causing weight gain and insulin resistance, I am looking for healthier alternatives. We bought some stevia yesterday and I am looking for input on who has tried it, anything anyone has read about it, etc.

TIA

Randa

PS, I started in P2 a week ago, and I am down 4lbs!!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Sun, 02-24-2008 - 1:28pm

I can't stand the after taste of Stevia.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2006
Sun, 02-24-2008 - 10:50pm

Thanks for the link, Cathy. I will check it out as soon as I get time. We went for a 3 mile nature hike this afternoon, then out for salads at a local pizzeria with our sailing club. Then to the store and made dinner. We just finished and it's after 9:30 here!

Randa

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2006
Mon, 02-25-2008 - 3:18am

Cathy, it might interest you to know, that Stevia is used in 40% of Japan's market. Last year Coca Cola and Cargill decided to use Stevia as the sweetner that it uses in products that are sold abroad. Stevia has met some resistance from the FDA as you have mentioned. I wonder, how this has influenced, the diagnosis of Diabetes in Japan compared to the US.

Jason

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Mon, 02-25-2008 - 7:42am

I read about Japan's use of

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2006
Mon, 02-25-2008 - 9:08am

I get your point. I was just trying to suggest that there might be more recent studies than the one you posted that suggest otherwise. I will see if Miranda can find the one she was reading that was written by the former FDA employee who did the actual research so it can be posted as well. The FDA approves many food and drug items under their scope of authority and jurisdiction. Some of them are good, and some of them are bad. Anyways, it does not matter what we as consumers think. Even it a product if a product is deemed safe, its all about the which lobbyist group has more influence and money. This reminds me of the Documentary entitled Who Killed the Electric Car.

Thanks,

Jason

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Mon, 02-25-2008 - 10:16am
Exactly.
spring



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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2006
Mon, 02-25-2008 - 9:41pm

I did find some interesting info on stevia at the following site. It shows studies and quotes from govt officials in favor of stevia.

http://www.stevia.net/safety.htm

Randa

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2006
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 1:11am

I think the comparison to Heroin might be a little severe. With Heroin, we know its harmful and with Stevia, they are yet to prove its harmful at all.

Below are some interesting links about artificial sweeteners.

http://integratedsupplements.typepad.com/integrated_supplements_bl/2007/07/more-dangers-of.html

Artificial sweetners could make you gain weight

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/96849.php

Here is some info on Stevia. Read down the right side and see what James A. Duke, former chief of Medicinal Plant Research of the USDA has to say.

http://www.stevia.net/safety.htm

Jason




Edited 2/26/2008 1:14 am ET by fatboyinil
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 7:10am

Good morning!


I wasn't comparing stevia to heroin.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-19-2002
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 8:17am

"Artificial sweetners could make you gain weight"


http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/96849.php


I've read this article

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