Steviol glycosides

Studies in people

• Open question

  Blood sugar control²

  In people, steviol glycosides slightly lowered fasting blood sugar, but scientists say the evidence is weak and more research is needed.

• Benefit

  Blood pressure in people³

  In people, steviol glycosides lowered systolic blood pressure, but scientists do not yet know whether other health effects are real.

• Open question

  Allergy to sweeteners⁴

  Reports of allergy to steviol glycosides are rare, and none have appeared since purified products reached the market.

• Open question

  Blood sugar and appetite⁵

  In 30 healthy men, stevia-sweetened drinks led to similar blood sugar and insulin over 3 hours as sucrose drinks.

• No harm found

  Gut bacteria and health markers⁶

  In people, steviol glycosides in drinks changed gut bacteria, short-chain fatty acids, or heart and blood measures no more than sugar did.

• Benefit

  Inflammation and antioxidant response⁷

  In people, steviol glycosides in a sweetened drink raised a calming body signal, but scientists still need more studies.

Study type not stated

• Open question

  Health effects of a sweetener⁸

  Steviol glycosides are studied for effects like inflammation, weight, blood pressure, diabetes and tooth decay.

• No harm found

  Food additive risk assessment⁹

  A panel found no safety concern for glucosylated steviol glycosides used as a food additive at proposed levels.

How it’s made and used

• Gut bacteria and sweeteners¹⁰

  Gut bacteria in people and animals break down steviol glycosides into steviol, which the body then absorbs.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.