Is Stevia Safe for Diabetes?

Stevia has garnered attention with the rise in demand for low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternatives. Stevia also has shown promise in medical research for treating such conditions as obesity and high blood pressure since it has a negligible effect on blood glucose, even enhancing glucose tolerance. Therefore, it is attractive as a natural sweetener to diabetics and others on carbohydrate-controlled diets.

Diabetes is a medical condition which should be monitored and treated by a qualified physician or health care practitioner.

Here are some research studies in PubMed on the effect of stevia on diabetes:

Effect of Steviol Glycosides on Human Health with Emphasis on Type 2 Diabetic Biomarkers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Canadian Diabetes Association National Nutrition Committee Technical Review: Non-nutritive Intense Sweeteners in Diabetes Management

Antioxidant, anti-diabetic and renal protective properties of Stevia rebaudiana.

Efficacy and tolerability of oral stevioside in patients with mild essential hypertension: a two-year, randomized, placebo-controlled study

Effect of Rebaudioside A, a diterpenoid on glucose homeostasis in STZ-induced diabetic rats.