Is Stevia good for diabetics?
In this brief guide, we will answer the query, “Is Stevia good for diabetics?”. We will also discuss the benefits of using Stevia for diabetics, how Stevia affects blood sugar levels, and whether non-diabetics can use Stevia.
Is Stevia good for diabetics?
Yes, stevia is good for diabetics. In fact, it is recommended to use stevia or stevia products such as Truvia as a sugar alternative for diabetes patients. Stevia doesn’t work like other artificial sweeteners and sugar as it is derived from the stevia plant’s leaves. Stevia helps diabetics by lowering plasma glucose levels while increasing glucose tolerance.
According to a joint statement released by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), stevia and other similar sweeteners can be beneficial for patients with diabetes if used carefully and do not compensate by eating extra calories at subsequent meals.
Furthermore, some researchers examined the effects of stevia-sweetened coconut jelly on participants 30-120 minutes after ingestion at half-hour intervals in a 2018 study. The study discovered that blood glucose levels began to fall 60-120 minutes after ingesting the jelly, even before insulin was secreted.
What are the benefits of using Stevia for diabetes patients?
The use of Stevia in diabetes patients has the following health benefits:
- Stevia has a lot of potential antioxidant properties for disease prevention, especially diabetes.
- It helps in diabetes by increasing insulin production while boosting the impact of insulin on cell membranes.
- Stevia also helps to combat type 2 diabetes dynamics and consequences.
- It helps in blood sugar regulation by stabilizing the blood sugar levels.
- Stevia also helps to increase your satiety and reduce your appetite
- It also decreases your desire to eat extra calories later in the day
- It also protects against liver and kidney damage.
- Triglyceride and cholesterol levels were found to be lowered after the use of Stevia.
How does stevia affect blood sugar levels?
According to a 2016 study, dried stevia leaf powder effectively reduced blood sugar levels in diabetics during fasting and after eating. Participants in the study also had lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels. The researchers determined that stevia is safe for diabetics to use as sugar and other sweetener substitutes.
Furthermore, a 2013 rat study found that taking whole stevia leaf powder as a dietary supplement reduced blood sugar levels. The findings also revealed that stevia could help animals with liver and renal problems.
Another 2015 study research discovered that nonnutritive sweeteners like stevia have antioxidant potential and dramatically reduced blood sugar levels in animals.
A 2018 study on rats published in the International Journal of Endocrinology reveals that stevia may boost insulin production at high enough levels. The authors of the study attribute this to the plant components in stevia.
Using stevia instead of sugar in sweetened foods and beverages may help diabetes patients to keep their blood glucose levels as normal as possible.
Also, using Stevia as a sugar substitute may minimize the number of calories consumed, which is likely to aid in weight loss. Excess weight puts you at risk for type 2 diabetes and its consequences, such as heart and kidney problems.
Can non-diabetics use stevia?
Yes, non-diabetics can use stevia but it is recommended to use stevia extracts strictly in moderate amounts. Stevia is also used for several culinary purposes in addition to its medicinal uses. No matter how you use it, it is important to minimize the use of Stevia.
Because of its suppressing qualities, non-diabetic people who use stevia regularly may have negative effects. Stevia for diabetes reduces blood pressure, and blood sugar, and serves as a diuretic, which is just what a diabetic requires. It is harmful to a non-diabetic individual to inhibit some of the body’s activities.
This means that typical physiological functions will not work as intended, and the product may have negative side effects. Furthermore, stevia can also interfere with different drugs, so if you’re under some medication, it is better to consult your doctor before using it.
There are some risks associated with the use of Stevia if you’re using medications for high blood pressure, hormones, heart, cancer, kidneys, liver, etc. for more details, please click the link here.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have answered the query, “Is stevia good for diabetics?”. We have also discussed the benefits of using Stevia for diabetics, how Stevia affects blood sugar levels, and whether non-diabetics can use Stevia.
