Stevia is a natural sweetener that is used as an alternative to sugar and other artificial sweeteners. It is derived from the plant Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni and has many health benefits including antiglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. It is also a known antidiabetic agent. Several studies have shown that stevia leaves and extracts can reduce random blood glucose (BGL) levels. A recent meta-analysis involving 16 studies reported that stevia leaf and extracts significantly lower BGL at doses ranging from 200 to 400 mg/kg body weight. However, the analysis did not report any significant differences based on duration of the intervention.
The active compounds in stevia leaf are called steviol glycosides, which are metabolized by gut microbiota to steviol, which is then absorbed in the human body. The steviol glycosides are ten times more sweet than sugar, and they can add sweetness to foods without adding any calories. This makes stevia a popular choice for people who want to cut down on their sugar intake but still enjoy the taste of sweet foods and drinks.
Like other artificial sweeteners, steviol glycosides work by switching on the same signal pathways from the tongue to the brain that are activated when sugar lands on the tongue. When researchers deleted those signals in mice, they found that the animals still showed a preference for sugar, but they did not demonstrate the typical response from the caudal nucleus of the solitary tract (cNST). Instead, their brains lit up when the mice consumed stevia. This led the researchers to suspect that something else was activating cNST, and they began investigating the effects of stevia on the gut microbiota.
Scientists have found that stevia does indeed affect the microbiota in the colon, but it is not clear what effect this might have on diabetes. Some studies have found that stevia can improve glucose tolerance in mice by enhancing the activity of gut bacteria. However, other studies have found no change in glucose tolerance or a decrease in BGL after stevia treatment.
It is possible that stevia can change the bacterial community in the gut by increasing the number of Firmicutes and decreasing the number of Bacteroidetes, which are associated with high-fat diet-induced obesity and diabetes. However, this is not certain since the microbiome changes are likely dependent on the specific dietary components that are consumed alongside stevia.
More research is needed to understand the stevia effect on the microbiome and whether it can be used as a treatment for diabetes. Until then, it is best to consume this herb in moderation and use other healthy sweeteners in place of sugar. It is also important to follow a balanced diet and make lifestyle changes that can help manage diabetes. By following these recommendations, it is possible to maintain a healthy weight while still enjoying the foods and beverages that you love. This will help prevent complications from diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease and kidney problems. It is also important to monitor your blood sugar levels to ensure that you are not developing any symptoms of diabetes.