https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-are-the-health-pros-and-c-XfsjhhBhS6yJYeG9f0uC8A
Stevia, a natural sweetener derived from the *Stevia rebaudiana* plant, is widely used as a sugar substitute in coffee, tea, cookies, and ice cream. While it offers notable health benefits, it also has potential drawbacks depending on individual tolerance and usage.
## **Health Pros of Stevia**
1. **Calorie-Free Sweetener**: Stevia contains zero calories, making it ideal for weight management and reducing overall calorie intake in beverages and desserts like coffee, tea, cookies, and ice cream[1][2][4].
2. **Blood Sugar Control**: Unlike sugar, stevia does not spike blood glucose levels, making it suitable for individuals with diabetes or those monitoring their glycemic index[2][3][4].
3. **Anti-Inflammatory Properties**: Stevia contains antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases[2][3].
4. **Supports Oral Health**: Stevia inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease compared to sugar[2].
5. **Versatility in Recipes**: Stevia can be used in hot drinks like coffee and tea, baked goods like cookies, and frozen desserts like ice cream to create lower-calorie versions of traditional recipes[3][4].
6. **Sustainability**: Cultivating stevia requires less land and water compared to sugar production, making it an eco-friendly choice[1].
## **Health Cons of Stevia**
1. **Potential Side Effects**: Some individuals may experience side effects such as bloating, nausea, dizziness, or low blood pressure when consuming stevia[5][6].
2. **Taste Concerns**: Pure stevia extract can have a bitter aftertaste. To improve flavor, stevia is often blended with other sweeteners (e.g., dextrose or maltodextrin), which may raise blood glucose levels[3].
3. **Impact on Texture in Baking**: Stevia does not caramelize or provide the same structural properties as sugar, which can affect the texture of baked goods like cookies or ice cream formulations[3][4].
4. **Digestive Issues**: For some people, stevia may disrupt gut health or cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort[5].
5. **Allergic Reactions**: As part of the Asteraceae family (which includes ragweed), stevia may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals[6].
6. **Sensory Limitations in Ice Cream**: Studies show that replacing sugar entirely with stevia in ice cream can reduce flavor and texture quality unless combined with other sweeteners[4].
## **Conclusion**
Stevia is a healthier alternative to sugar for sweetening coffee, tea, cookies, and ice cream due to its calorie-free nature and ability to manage blood sugar levels. However, its bitter aftertaste, potential side effects (e.g., bloating or nausea), and limitations in baking and texture require careful consideration based on individual preferences and recipe requirements.
Citations:
[1] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sweetening-your-coffee-sustainably-why-stevia-way-go-oko-choi
[2] https://amala.earth/blogs/amala-earth-blog/stevia-benefits
[3] https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/nutrition/sugar-substitutes-stevia-explained
[4] https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=42783
[5] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319837
[6] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-682/stevia
[7] https://www.verywellhealth.com/stevia-side-effects-6890614
[8] https://herbaly.com/blogs/recipes/a-beginners-guide-to-using-stevia-sweetener-in-your-coffee-and-tea
[9] https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/what-is-stevia
[10] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/287251
[11] https://www.tuasaude.com/en/stevia/
[12] https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/health-benefits-of-stevia-vs-sugar-1051061197
[13] https://www.icecreamscience.com/blog/stevia-ice-cream
[14] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323376
[15] https://www.verywellfit.com/the-benefits-of-stevia-89586
[16] https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1856&context=honors_theses
[17] https://goodgoodbrand.com/blogs/articles/healthiest-sweetener-for-coffee
[18] https://justaddhoney.net/products/stevia-leaf-tea
[19] https://www.marcagel.com/en/products-blog/stevia-all-the-advantages-of-this-low-calorie-sweetener-for-your-gelato/
[20] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/stevia-vs-sugar
[21] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-stevia-safe
[22] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9028423/
[23] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9223086/
[24] https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/stevia-side-effects
[25] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8600158/
[26] https://www.orlandohealth.com/content-hub/dont-panic-you-can-still-use-artificial-sweeteners/
[27] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/artificial-sweeteners/art-20046936
[28] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/04/well/eat/stevia-sweetener-sugar-side-effects-downsides.html
[29] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-stevia
[30] https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food
[31] https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/27/health/zero-calorie-sweetener-heart-attack-stroke-wellness/index.html
[32] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7600789/
[33] https://foodinsight.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-stevia-sweeteners/
[34] http://www.foodandnutritionjournal.org/volume7number2/characteristic-ice-cream-using-stevia-stevia-rebaudiana-leaf-powder-as-natural-sweetener/
[35] https://www.reddit.com/r/nutrition/comments/aw2ihc/is_there_anything_negative_about_stevia/
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