Stevia Article Series

Stevia Side Effects -
The Facts: Part 4

Thursday, 11 January 2013

Steviol glycosides can cause allergies?

A 2007 paper titled ‘Anaphylaxis by stevioside in children with atopic eczema’ reported two cases: a 7-month old female after chewing stevia leaves and 2-year old males after drinking water containing stevioside powder. In both cases a Skin Prick Test (SPT) confirmed a reaction to Stevia leaves or stevioside. Following this, 200 male and female children between 4 months and 2 years were subject to a SPT. A significant proportion of patients with pre-existing conditions such as allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, or atopic eczema were found to react to stevia leaves or stevioside. It was also found that there was a reduction in sensitivities after eliminating foods containing stevioside.
(Kimata, 2007)

Considering the high numbers of positive SPTs in these atopic patient groups, it is possible that stevia leaves and extracts could contain some common (cross-reacting) plant allergens of the family Asteraceae.

Although there was a reduction in sensitivities after abstinence of stevioside the EFSA noted that it is not a strong indicator for an IgE mediated process.
(EFSA journal 2010;8(4):1537)

Our conclusion: The data from this single report suggests young children who are sufferers of rhinitis, asthma or eczema may experience increases in their symptoms following the ingestion of steviol glycosides.

Steviol glycosides have anti-inflammatory properties?

A 2006 study in the Journal of agricultural and food chemistry shows how stevioside possesses anti-inflammatory properties, although no definite information could be obtained to explain its activity. The results of the study suggested, however, that stevioside reduces the synthesis of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells by interfering with the IKKbeta and NF-kappaB signaling pathway.
(Boonkaewwan, Toskulkao, Vongsakul, 2006)

Our conclusion: On the basis of this single study steviol glycosides may have anti-inflammatory properties.

Steviol glycosides can affect cholesterol?

A study in 2006 of male and female high-cholesterol sufferers showed no significant differences in cholesterol levels between a placebo-controlled group and a group given 200 mg per day of stevia leaf extract (containing 70% stevioside, 20% rebaudioside A, 2% other rebaudiosides). Although there were statistically significant decreases in cholesterol levels in both groups, the study’s authors concluded that the decreases were due to changes in the subjects’ lifestyle during the study.
(Cavalcante da Silva et al., 2006)

Our conclusion: Steviol glycosides do not affect cholesterol levels.