People are increasingly avoiding stevia due to concerns regarding its potential effects on digestive health, its distinct aftertaste, and the risk of cardiovascular issues when it's mixed with certain bulking agents like erythritol.
Potential Health Concerns
While often marketed as a natural, zero-calorie sweetener, stevia is not without its controversies, particularly concerning its impact on the body.
Digestive Discomfort
One common reason people steer clear of stevia is its potential to cause digestive upset. Stevia may affect the healthy bacteria balance in your gut, leading to uncomfortable symptoms. This disruption can manifest as:
- Gas: An increase in intestinal gas.
- Bloating: A feeling of fullness or swelling in the abdomen.
These symptoms can be particularly bothersome for individuals with sensitive digestive systems or conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Cardiovascular Risks (Especially with Erythritol)
A significant concern has emerged regarding the combination of stevia with other sweeteners, particularly erythritol. Many commercial stevia products are blended with erythritol as a bulking agent to provide more volume and a sugar-like texture. Recent research suggests a potential link between higher levels of erythritol in the blood and an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events.
Risks Associated with Erythritol Blends:
| Potential Risk | Description |
|---|---|
| Heart Attack | Increased likelihood of myocardial infarction (heart attack). |
| Stroke | Higher risk of cerebrovascular accident (stroke). |
| Blood Clotting | Concerns about enhanced platelet activity and clot formation. |
This potential connection to erythritol is a major driver for individuals seeking to avoid stevia products, especially those formulated as blends.
Unpleasant Aftertaste
Beyond health concerns, many consumers simply find the taste of stevia off-putting. Stevia, particularly in higher concentrations or certain forms, can leave a lingering, often metallic or licorice-like aftertaste. This distinct flavor profile is not universally appealing and can alter the taste of foods and beverages, leading people to prefer other sweeteners or no sweeteners at all.
Concerns About "Naturalness" and Processing
While stevia originates from a plant, the highly refined steviol glycosides used in most commercial products undergo significant processing. This extensive refining process leads some consumers to question how "natural" stevia truly is, prompting them to opt for less processed alternatives or whole food ingredients.
Consumer Avoidance Summary
To summarize, common reasons for avoiding stevia include:
- Digestive issues such as gas and bloating.
- Increased risks of heart attack and stroke when mixed with erythritol.
- An unpleasant aftertaste that can be metallic or licorice-like.
- Skepticism about its "naturalness" due to extensive processing.
Understanding these concerns allows individuals to make more informed choices about their sweetener consumption. When choosing stevia, opting for high-purity stevia extracts without added bulking agents like erythritol may mitigate some of the associated risks.
