Why Does Genuine Health Use Stevia as a Sweetener?
Not everyone wants sweetened products. We totally understand – that’s why we made some of our products without any flavours or sweeteners, like fermented organic gut superfoods+, fermented vegan proteins+, fermented Greek yogurt proteins+ and proteins+ in unflavoured & unsweetened.
But, if you like flavoured and sweetened products that are actually good for you, stevia is the way to go. We use both whole leaf stevia and extracts in our products, and believe that stevia is the smartest choice of sweetener. Here’s why:
Stevia is a natural sugar substitute that is extracted from the stevia rebaudiana plant (it’s related to marigolds). Stevia has a long record of safety – it’s been used for thousands of years as a sweetener and medicinal herb. In Brazil and Paraguay, stevia is called “sweet herb,” and for good reason – stevia is around 200 times sweeter than sugar. Because stevia is so sweet, only a very small amount is needed.
Because it’s so sweet and is used in such a small amount, stevia does not impact blood sugar. For this reason, many diabetics use stevia as a safe natural sweetener. But beyond that, in Japan, stevia has been used for decades to treat type 2 diabetics. And some new research has even found that stevia is even able to improve blood glucose and insulin control. (1,2)
Some products (specifically protein powders) are sweetened with sugar alcohols or inulin. But sugar alcohols, like erythritol and xylitol, can cause GI discomfort like bloating and diarrhea. Ditto with inulin, which can cause gas and bloating in some individuals – especially those with sensitive stomachs. Stevia, however, does not cause GI symptoms – it’s gut-friendly!
In the largest review of its kind, researchers writing in the journal Current Pharmaceutical Design not only concluded that stevia is safe, but that, “Stevia and its glycosides possess therapeutic effects against several diseases such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, inflammation, cystic fibrosis, obesity and tooth decay.” (1) Additionally, stevia leaf contains phytochemicals, and recent experimental studies have shown that whole stevia leaf phytochemicals can add not only to the antioxidant activity of natural products like whey protein isolate, they can also help improve blood glucose and insulin control. Plus, stevia continues to be shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and protect various cells against inflammatory chemicals. (2)
Stevia won’t hurt your blood sugar (and it can even improve your blood glucose control), it won’t hurt your gut or lead to uncomfortable or embarrassing GI symptoms, it contains phytochemicals and even has anti-inflammatory properties.
References
(1) Momtazi-Borojeni AA, et al. Stevia and its glycosdies possess therapeutic effects against several diseases such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, inflammation, cystic fibrosis, obesity and tooth decay. Curr Pharm Des. 2017;23(11):1616-1622.
(2) Milani PG, et al. Fortification of the whey protein isolate antioxidant and antidiabetic activity with fraction rich in phenolic compounds obtained from Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.). Bertoni leaves. J Food Sci Technol. 2017 Jun;54(7):2020-2029.
(3) Potočnjak I, et al. Stevia and stevioside protect against cisplatin nephrotoxicity through inhibition of ERK1/2, STAT3, and NF-κB activation. Food Chem Toxicol. 2017 Sep;107(Pt A):215-225.
But, if you like flavoured and sweetened products that are actually good for you, stevia is the way to go. We use both whole leaf stevia and extracts in our products, and believe that stevia is the smartest choice of sweetener. Here’s why:
Stevia has a long record of safety
Stevia is a natural sugar substitute that is extracted from the stevia rebaudiana plant (it’s related to marigolds). Stevia has a long record of safety – it’s been used for thousands of years as a sweetener and medicinal herb. In Brazil and Paraguay, stevia is called “sweet herb,” and for good reason – stevia is around 200 times sweeter than sugar. Because stevia is so sweet, only a very small amount is needed.
Stevia doesn’t affect blood sugar
Because it’s so sweet and is used in such a small amount, stevia does not impact blood sugar. For this reason, many diabetics use stevia as a safe natural sweetener. But beyond that, in Japan, stevia has been used for decades to treat type 2 diabetics. And some new research has even found that stevia is even able to improve blood glucose and insulin control. (1,2)
Stevia doesn’t impact the gut
Some products (specifically protein powders) are sweetened with sugar alcohols or inulin. But sugar alcohols, like erythritol and xylitol, can cause GI discomfort like bloating and diarrhea. Ditto with inulin, which can cause gas and bloating in some individuals – especially those with sensitive stomachs. Stevia, however, does not cause GI symptoms – it’s gut-friendly!
Stevia can provide other health benefits
In the largest review of its kind, researchers writing in the journal Current Pharmaceutical Design not only concluded that stevia is safe, but that, “Stevia and its glycosides possess therapeutic effects against several diseases such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, inflammation, cystic fibrosis, obesity and tooth decay.” (1) Additionally, stevia leaf contains phytochemicals, and recent experimental studies have shown that whole stevia leaf phytochemicals can add not only to the antioxidant activity of natural products like whey protein isolate, they can also help improve blood glucose and insulin control. Plus, stevia continues to be shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and protect various cells against inflammatory chemicals. (2)
Stevia won’t hurt your blood sugar (and it can even improve your blood glucose control), it won’t hurt your gut or lead to uncomfortable or embarrassing GI symptoms, it contains phytochemicals and even has anti-inflammatory properties.
References
(1) Momtazi-Borojeni AA, et al. Stevia and its glycosdies possess therapeutic effects against several diseases such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, inflammation, cystic fibrosis, obesity and tooth decay. Curr Pharm Des. 2017;23(11):1616-1622.
(2) Milani PG, et al. Fortification of the whey protein isolate antioxidant and antidiabetic activity with fraction rich in phenolic compounds obtained from Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.). Bertoni leaves. J Food Sci Technol. 2017 Jun;54(7):2020-2029.
(3) Potočnjak I, et al. Stevia and stevioside protect against cisplatin nephrotoxicity through inhibition of ERK1/2, STAT3, and NF-κB activation. Food Chem Toxicol. 2017 Sep;107(Pt A):215-225.
