We in the Natural Health World Hope So

Move over, aspartame. Make way, sucralose. Sayonara, saccharin.

Artificial sweeteners have long been pooh-poohed by we natural health professionals due to the bevy of studies that indicate their artificiality cause some genuine health concerns among those that consume them. What makes stevia different from these artificial sweeteners is that not only does it contribute to health, but it’s an all-natural sweetener with zero calories. And best of all – after numerous studies that looked into the possible negative side-effects of stevia, of which there were none – it could be widely available in U.S. supermarkets soon (pending FDA approval).

If you’ve frequented parts of Asia or South America in recent years, you know that stevia is widely available as a sweetener. In fact, the plant from which stevia derives – Stevia rebaudiana – is native to South American countries Brazil and Paraguay. But because there was circumstantial evidence suggesting it may cause cancer after conducting a series of studies on animal studies in the 70s, thoughts of it being marketed in the United States were continually squelched by the Food and Drug Administration (the same FDA that has approved aspartame, an artificial sweetener that’s been well-documented as dangerous to consume). But thanks to studies done by Srijani Ghanta of the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, we know that not only is stevia not harmful to consume, it actually is beneficial to the body. According to Ghanta’s research that’s been published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, stevia is a great source to go to for antioxidant consumption.

Here’s the other great thing about stevia: it has no adverse impact on blood glucose levels. In fact, according to a Danish study, stevia can actually reduce blood glucose levels. So at the very least, diabetics can enjoy the natural health benefits of stevia – which is 300 times sweeter than sugar – without having to worry about their blood sugar levels spiking.

Meanwhile, Cargill, an agribusiness that’s planning on mass producing stevia pending its approval, has had a series of studies done on the safety of the natural sweetener, all of them giving its consumption the “thumbs up.”

The question left for we natural health professionals – not to mention consumers who’ve long waited for an all natural sweetener that’s beneficial to your health – is guessing whether or not the FDA will approve its mass production as a food additive in the states. Companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi Co. and Nutrasweet have all expressed interest in stevia, hoping they might be able to use it in their line of products before Christmas 2008. The FDA is expected to make its final decision within the next six months.

The FDA is a fickle organization. Why they’re dragging their feet on stevia, yet have no problem with aspartame and its widespread use, is beyond and my and the natural health world’s understanding. An array of independent studies, funded studies, the World Health Organization and the Center for Science in the Public Interest all say there’s no harm in consuming stevia (though the CSPI says it should be consumed only in “small doses”)

We can only hope that the FDA will see the evidence for what it is – that stevia is safe and healthy to consume – and sign off on its use as a food additive. Our food supply will be better for it. As will we.