What Is Stevioside Reb-A?

Stevia, a member of the Asteraceae family, is known for its sweet-tasting steviol glycosides, which can vary significantly in content depending on whether they are commercially produced or grown at home.

In fact, many stevioside Reb-A products have relatively low steviol glycoside content. The sweetness of Reb A is approximately 200 times that of sugar. Stevioside Reb-A is classified as a 'novel sweetener' due to its ability to be blended with other sweeteners like erythritol and glucose, enhancing the sweetness without adding significant calories. For diabetics, stevioside Reb-A may help control blood sugar levels.

Does Stevioside Reb-A Produce Any Side Effects?

The Food and Drug Administration states that steviol glycosides, including stevioside Reb-A, are "generally recognized as safe." While stevioside Reb-A is safe for diabetics, products containing glucose or maltodextrin should be chosen with caution. Glucose and maltodextrin are carbohydrates and starches, respectively, which slightly increase the carbohydrate and caloric content in food. Sugar alcohols may also have a mild impact on total carbohydrates.

If you use stevioside Reb-A occasionally, it might not impact your blood sugar. However, if you use stevioside Reb-A throughout the day, your carbohydrate intake will increase.

Is It Safe for Pregnant Women to Use Stevioside Reb-A?

Stevioside Reb-A is considered safe for use in moderation during pregnancy. However, if you are sensitive to sugar alcohols, it's advisable to choose products that do not contain erythritol. It's important to note that whole leaf steviol glycosides and crude stevia extracts, including those grown at home, are not recommended for use during pregnancy. Highly refined products are generally considered safer than natural ones, which may seem counterintuitive but is common in herbal products.

In this case, the safety of stevioside Reb-A during pregnancy and other situations has been evaluated. However, natural forms of steviol glycosides have not undergone the same scrutiny. Currently, there is not enough evidence to suggest that whole leaf steviol glycosides or crude stevia extracts cause harm during pregnancy, but using stevioside Reb-A in moderation during pregnancy is safe.

Is There a Link Between Steviol Glycosides and Cancer?

Some studies suggest that steviol glycosides may help combat or prevent certain types of cancer. For instance, a 2012 study found that stevioside, a glycoside in the stevia plant, can induce cell death in human breast cancer cell lines and may reduce mitochondrial pathways that promote cancer growth. A 2013 study supports these findings, showing that several steviol glycoside derivatives are toxic to specific types of leukemia, lung, stomach, and breast cancer cell lines.