Is Stevia Safe?

The question of whether stevia is safe to consume largely depends on what someone means by “stevia.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved stevia leaves or “crude stevia extracts” for use as food additives. Studies on stevia in those forms raise concerns about the control of blood sugar and effects on the reproductive, cardiovascular, and renal systems, the FDA warns.

However, the FDA has allowed companies to use an isolated chemical from stevia as food additive, calling the chemical “generally recognized as safe.” Now, products have the legal go-ahead to use Rebaudioside A, which is also found in stevia, in their no-calorie sweeteners. In India. the FSSAI has also allowed the use of Rebaudioside A and Steviosides in sweeteners and as a food additive.

Stevia has no calories, and it is 200 times sweeter than sugar in the same concentration. Other studies suggest stevia might have extra health benefits.