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Stevia Hailed by Depopulation Propaganda
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Stevia Hailed by Depopulation Propaganda
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Read the Article Below
Does Stevia Cause Infertility?
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Does Stevia Cause Infertility?
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Kevin Mugur Galalae
Depopulationists at work in the developed world
Editor Comment. / Not necessary the Stevia, but their are so many other products to do the
Depopulation Agenda.
Behold the newest method of depopulation for the developed world, an eco-friendly drink packaged in eco-friendly biodegradable container but made with the oldest known and most potent natural sterilizant known to man, the stevia plant.
To make it even more attractive, the depopulationists offer this drink on the market at rock bottom prices, much cheaper than any other drink on the shelves.
I found it on the shelves of grocery and corner stores across Switzerland.
In Switzerland a third of all females are already sterile and childless and 90% of the men have substandard sperm and where the total fertility rate is already far below replacement level at 1.33 children per Swiss woman and as a result the Swiss population is shrinking since the early 1980s to be replaced by incoming immigrants who themselves are being sterilized the result of which even their total fertility rate is below replacement level at 1.8 children per woman.
One must ask, why would the depopulation lobby continue to sterilize the Swiss if their population is already shrinking alarmingly fast.
The answer can only be one, because they intend to clear the country of people so they alone inherit the world, for the same is happening across Europe and the developed world.
And those dumb Swiss are still protecting the WHO, which is the world's premiere depopulation tool, because it brings money into the economy.
So you see, the profit motive works as well in the developed world as it works in the developing world where GMO eggplants (as I have shown in the previous post) are used to motivate the poor people of Bangladesh to grow their own poison and to sterilize and slowly kill themselves for a little extra money.
That is the world we live in, but not for much longer for either we win this dirty war and introduce a mandatory and global replacement level fertility law or the depopulationists win it and clear the world of people.
Depopulationists at work in the developed world
Editor Comment. / Not necessary the Stevia, but their are so many other products to do the
Depopulation Agenda.
Behold the newest method of depopulation for the developed world, an eco-friendly drink packaged in eco-friendly biodegradable container but made with the oldest known and most potent natural sterilizant known to man, the stevia plant.
To make it even more attractive, the depopulationists offer this drink on the market at rock bottom prices, much cheaper than any other drink on the shelves.
I found it on the shelves of grocery and corner stores across Switzerland.
In Switzerland a third of all females are already sterile and childless and 90% of the men have substandard sperm and where the total fertility rate is already far below replacement level at 1.33 children per Swiss woman and as a result the Swiss population is shrinking since the early 1980s to be replaced by incoming immigrants who themselves are being sterilized the result of which even their total fertility rate is below replacement level at 1.8 children per woman.
One must ask, why would the depopulation lobby continue to sterilize the Swiss if their population is already shrinking alarmingly fast.
The answer can only be one, because they intend to clear the country of people so they alone inherit the world, for the same is happening across Europe and the developed world.
And those dumb Swiss are still protecting the WHO, which is the world's premiere depopulation tool, because it brings money into the economy.
So you see, the profit motive works as well in the developed world as it works in the developing world where GMO eggplants (as I have shown in the previous post) are used to motivate the poor people of Bangladesh to grow their own poison and to sterilize and slowly kill themselves for a little extra money.
That is the world we live in, but not for much longer for either we win this dirty war and introduce a mandatory and global replacement level fertility law or the depopulationists win it and clear the world of people.
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Behold the newest method of depopulation for the developing
world, GMO eggplants.
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http://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/2016/gmo-eggplants-aubergines-bangladesh/?utm_source=Al+Jazeera+English+Newsletter+%7C+Weekly&utm_campaign=49dc46340f-weekly_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e427298a68-49dc46340f-224889489#2217
The farmers have slightly bigger crops and do not need to spray pesticides but those who eat their crops are sterilized and their lives are shortened because the plant itself produces a compound that kills worms. If it kills parasitic worms imagine what it does to people!
The depopulationists thus shoot four birds with one stone: reduce fertility, increase morbidity, reduce pesticides use, and let the profit motive drive the self-destruction of the poor, which is why farmers are allowed to resell the GMO seeds.
I must however agree that in a country as overcrowded and poor as Bangladesh this is a rather elegant solution to the daunting problems of stopping population growth and saving the planet.
🌸
Behold the newest method of depopulation for the developing
world, GMO eggplants.
🌸
http://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/2016/gmo-eggplants-aubergines-bangladesh/?utm_source=Al+Jazeera+English+Newsletter+%7C+Weekly&utm_campaign=49dc46340f-weekly_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e427298a68-49dc46340f-224889489#2217
The farmers have slightly bigger crops and do not need to spray pesticides but those who eat their crops are sterilized and their lives are shortened because the plant itself produces a compound that kills worms. If it kills parasitic worms imagine what it does to people!
The depopulationists thus shoot four birds with one stone: reduce fertility, increase morbidity, reduce pesticides use, and let the profit motive drive the self-destruction of the poor, which is why farmers are allowed to resell the GMO seeds.
I must however agree that in a country as overcrowded and poor as Bangladesh this is a rather elegant solution to the daunting problems of stopping population growth and saving the planet.
🌸
Is Stevia a Danger to Your Health? The TRUTH Comes Out
By Adrienne 264 Comments
Have been reading posts about stevia and wondering:
“Is Stevia Safe?”
“Is Stevia Bad for You?”
I know I have. I’ve been using stevia for a long time – ever since I knew I had candida.
We use powdered stevia extract, and I’ve even figured out a way to make Homemade Liquid Stevia Drops.
It’s a super sweet sweetener that doesn’t feed candida, so it’s used by many who want to have something sweet without the bad “side effects” of sugar.
I wrote quite a bit about stevia in this post – Stevia – What it Is and How to Use It” but essentially, stevia:
– doesn’t feed candida
– may help with blood sugar regulation
– doesn’t cause caries (tooth decay)
– may reduce blood pressure when it is too high
– is calorie free
So what’s not to love?
Well, after literally YEARS of using stevia, imagine my fear when I started reading post after post on the internet by other whole foodies either stating that they’d given up using stevia, or stating why they never used it in the first place, or claiming all sorts of problems with this herb.
I was shooting emails back and forth with other sugar-free bloggers (including one of my faves – Ricki Heller) about studies we’d found on the internet appearing to highlight issues with my “sweetener of choice”.
It’s pretty petrifying when you hear that something you and your family have been using for years might have serious health consequences. I just had to figure it out because I was for sure not going to be eating something that was likely or surely going to wreck my health.
So into the research I dove. Head first.
It took a long time, but today I am going to go through the claims of the other bloggers one by one so that you can see the conclusion that I came to and why.
Following is a list of the claims that others have made against stevia.
I’ll go through them one by one (hopefully I didn’t miss any) so you can see whether or not you think they are a problem.
Is Stevia Safe?
Claims Against Stevia– it can cause infertility
– has a hormonal structure
– it can act as a mutagen and cause cancer
– it taxes the adrenals
– causes hormone issues
– causes hypoglycemia
– lowers blood pressure
– has dangerous additives
– high in oxalates
– tastes bitter YIKES!
Before you go panicking and throw your stevia in the garbage, read on.
Here’s where I need to start setting the record straight.
The Concerns and The Truth About Stevia
{Please note that the following is not medical advice. I am not a physician. Please consult with your physician prior to changing your diet or supplement regimen. This is for entertainment purposes only. Sorry – had to get that disclaimer in there, folks! There might be an affiliate link or 2 included as well and if you click on one and make a purchase I might make a commission. Your support is very much appreciated and helps keep this free resource up and running.}
1. Stevia is often mixed with additives.Stevia sold in stores and online is sometimes mixed with fillers and flavor enhancers like:
– maltodextrin
– glycerine (I use this for low carb baking anyway and don’t really have a problem with it as long as it’s not made from GMO soy)
– dextrose
– cellulose
– erythritol (I have mixed feelings on this one)
– the ubiquitous undisclosed “natural flavors”
I’m sorry but this is simply a ridiculous argument.
While bloggers who make this point are correct to point out that there are often unsavory things added to stevia, this is the equivalent of saying that we shouldn’t eat meat because it’s often mixed with nitrates, the cows are often fed antibiotics or it is made into hotdogs.
Just.Buy.Stevia.That.Isn’t.Mixed.With.Anything.Else.
That would be Pure Stevia Extract.
Like I said, however, I don’t really have a problem with glycerine and often I have called companies that have “natural flavors” on their label only to find that their flavorings were completely natural extracts only. So sometimes the “natural flavors” aren’t so scary after all and it isn’t necessarily a problem to buy stevia with additional ingredients – just do your homework.
Pay attention to the labels on the stevia you are considering buying. And the price. If the price looks too good to be true, chances are you are getting a stevia with fillers. On to the next argument.
2. Stevia is bad because it tastes bitter.Yes, some stevia is sub par.
Some is just bad and even pretty horrendous-tasting. But if you do your research, you can find great tasting stevia.
I have always loved NuNaturals, but I am now possibly on the hunt for a replacement as they’ve changed their formula. It’s still pretty good but I have a thing about finding “the best” (like with essential oils). Of course, if you use too much stevia in baked goods and the like, you just might get a bitter aftertaste, but there are ways around that.
If you use less, or use stevia with other sweeteners, you can by and large avoid that problem.
Check out these posts for more info:
– Stevia – What it Is and How to Use It
– 6 Tips to Really Like Stevia – This one is written by a former stevia hater and has some GREAT tipsfor avoiding the bitter aftertaste.
I’m working on choosing some more brands to recommend to you – but it’s taking awhile. Hang in there!
3. Stevia Causes Adrenal Problems
The argument here is that:
-you eat stevia
– your body expects glucose because it tastes something sweet
– your body lowers blood sugar (causing hypoglycemia) since it is clearing the way for glucose -your body sends cortisol and adrenaline to create sugar from your tissues. Thus you are causing stress on the adrenals by eating stevia.
I couldn’t find any research to back this up. All I can say is that my adrenal issues are far better now after years of eating stevia than they were when I was eating sugar.
Plus there are plenty of places where folks recommend stevia over and above sugar and higher glycemic sweeteners in order to heal adrenal issues including here and here.
I just don’t see enough evidence of this for it to merit giving up stevia. I do think that perhaps one could just not drink non caloric drinks with only stevia and make sure that stevia is consumed with other calories to mitigate any possible effect.
One important thing to note is that those who make this claim appear to be of the mindset that candida is not caused or aggravated by sugar consumption. I beg to differ.
I agree that candida is very complex but yeast feeds off of sugar. Just bake some homemade bread to see how it works and it’s plain as day.
4. Stevia Can Cause Hypoglycemia
Another concern brought up about stevia is that is causes hypoglycemia. This is tied into the adrenal issue cited above.
Let me tell you this. I had hypoglycemia (I diagnosed myself — my doctor missed it) and I had it bad.
I went completely off sugar at that point and started eating a bunch of stevia. More than I ever had before.
My hypoglycemia is gone.
Totally reversed.
Now, does that mean someone else couldn’t have an odd reaction to stevia that might cause hypoglycemia? Of course, it doesn’t mean that. If you are concerned, check your blood sugar after consuming stevia. Everyone is different.
5. Stevia Causes Infertility and Miscarriages
One of the main concerns about stevia is that it affects fertility.
There is information floating around the internet that there are studies showing that stevia caused infertility in rats, and there’s also talk that stevia has been used in Paraguay for contraception.
Well, we can put this issue to rest. There have been several studies showing contraception issues with stevia, but they have all been debunked.
Take my word for it, or click through here to read a very very thorough article, with appropriate sourcing that addresses this issue completely. Source
Of course, I completely agree with the author of the above-referenced post. If you think stevia is causing issues with your fertility, stop using it. Just the stress of that questioning might be enough to cause issues for you.
6. Stevia Doesn’t Support Glycogen Synthesis
The argument here is that your body needs glucose to function but basically this is the same argument of the hypoglycemia and adrenal issues.
However, in one post the additional argument was made that your body needs glycogen to convert inactive thyroid hormone T4 into active thyroid hormone T3.
The thinking here is that if you are using stevia instead of fruit and natural sugars, then you won’t have sufficient glycogen. I don’t know enough about this but I have been doing a lot of reading about the effects of low carb diets on thyroid and adrenal health and I think it’s worth thinking about.
Basically, however, I don’t think that this argument necessitates giving up stevia, but it does mean that we ought to consider making sure that we have sufficient carbs in our diets. This post from Wellness Mama and this one from Chris Kresser go into great depth regarding these low carb / adrenal / thyroid issues.
7. Stevia is really a hormone is disguiseSeveral bloggers mentioned that stevia is synthesized in the same pathway as 2 plant hormones, and that it ends up being structurally similar to those hormones.
Again, this is something that I could not find anything about on the internet. And just because something is synthesized in the same way or is structurally similar to hormones, that doesn’t mean it is a hormone. Take NaCl for example.
Salt is fine to eat and we sprinkle it on food all the time. HCl, however, is stomach acid and we would do damage to ourselves if we sprinkled it on our food. (I take HCl as a dietary supplement as mentioned here, but you would cause serious damage to your teeth and esophagus if you sprinkled it on your food.
Just because something is similar to something else doesn’t mean that it has the same qualities as that thing. I did, however, find this very detailed article on stevia that seems to state that it isn’t that stevia is synthesized in the same way as gibberellin and kaurene but that the plant is making kaurene and can either make gibberellin or stevia.
So that puts this argument into question for me. I haven’t dug into this enough, but I do think I feel at peace enough to not worry about it.
8. Stevia is High in Oxalates
One of the bloggers initially wrote about stevia being high in oxalates, but she later removed that from her blog post.
However, since it was initially there, I am going to address it. Oxalates are naturally-occurring substances in foods, but some people are very concerned about reducing them in their diet.
Those with kidney stones, hypercalciuria, etc. I personally know some bloggers who are very concerned about oxalates so I looked into this. My thinking is this. Even if stevia were high in oxalates, the amount of stevia used is so small that it doesn’t amount to much and should not be a concern since oxalates are everywhere.
For more on oxalates, read this article. Now – just when you thought you’d heard enough, to make things a little more interesting, I am going to throw 2 more arguments into the ring:
9. Stevia Can Cause Mutagenic Reactions and Cancer
I read in several places that stevia can cause mutations and even cancer. Scary stuff.
Thankfully, one of the posts on stevia did clarify that the studies that appeared to demonstrate these risks were in the minority and that the amounts of stevia fed to subjects were quite high so they are typically discarded in discussions questioning stevia’s safety.
This study is one showing that stevia consumption does not cause genetic problems. From the study:
these substances do not pose a risk of genetic damage following human consumption.
Glad to hear it.
10. Stevia Can Cause Allergic Reactions
I thought for a period of time that I was allergic to stevia.
I would use it and thought I was having sinus and eye symptoms from it. Over time I did a bunch of trials and errors and finally came to the conclusion that I am not allergic to it.
Boy, was I thrilled. Please do note that stevia is related to daisies, chrysanthemums, ragweed or marigolds.
It’s possible that if you are allergic to these plants that you might have a cross-reaction to stevia.
But that is not the case for everyone and I am proof positive of that. Bottom Line – Anyone can be allergic to anything.
Remember The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?
You can either avoid the food or address internal issues that are causing your immune system to overreact, or both. But just because stevia might cause allergies in some is not reason to avoid it. Make sure you read the next section which addresses another possible cause for reactions to stevia.
11. Stevia is Sometimes Processed with ChemicalsI didn’t see this on any other blogs, but I will bring this into the ring myself.
Some stevia producers use chemicals to product their stevia extract. For that reason, I only choose stevia from companies that do not use chemicals for processing their pure stevia extract. If you are having reactions to stevia, you might wish to contact the manufacturer to see how they process their stevia.
12. Stevia Can Cause You to Eat More SweetsA reader commented that I should add this to the list – that sweeteners like stevia can cause your body to expect glucose and therefore you end up craving and eating more as a result. Apparently this happens particularly in those who are sugar-sensitive.
This would apply to all low carb sweeteners and not just stevia – the same with many of the negative claims here. I have read about this before but I haven’t experienced this. In fact, I think I crave sweets more and eat more if I eat the “real sugars”.
ConclusionI think that there are numerous benefits to using stevia and I also think that the concerns are largely unfounded. For those of us struggling with candida, blood sugar issues (like diabetes or insulin resistance) or trying to eat a low carb diet, I think there is likely no better thing to put in your cuppa. Or even bake with. Because life without brownies is hard, right?
Now that you are likely feeling better about stevia, again, here are some helpful posts:
1. Stevia – What It Is and How to Use It
2. 6 Tips to Really LOVE Stevia
3. Homemade Liquid Stevia Drops
By Adrienne 264 Comments
Have been reading posts about stevia and wondering:
“Is Stevia Safe?”
“Is Stevia Bad for You?”
I know I have. I’ve been using stevia for a long time – ever since I knew I had candida.
We use powdered stevia extract, and I’ve even figured out a way to make Homemade Liquid Stevia Drops.
It’s a super sweet sweetener that doesn’t feed candida, so it’s used by many who want to have something sweet without the bad “side effects” of sugar.
I wrote quite a bit about stevia in this post – Stevia – What it Is and How to Use It” but essentially, stevia:
– doesn’t feed candida
– may help with blood sugar regulation
– doesn’t cause caries (tooth decay)
– may reduce blood pressure when it is too high
– is calorie free
So what’s not to love?
Well, after literally YEARS of using stevia, imagine my fear when I started reading post after post on the internet by other whole foodies either stating that they’d given up using stevia, or stating why they never used it in the first place, or claiming all sorts of problems with this herb.
I was shooting emails back and forth with other sugar-free bloggers (including one of my faves – Ricki Heller) about studies we’d found on the internet appearing to highlight issues with my “sweetener of choice”.
It’s pretty petrifying when you hear that something you and your family have been using for years might have serious health consequences. I just had to figure it out because I was for sure not going to be eating something that was likely or surely going to wreck my health.
So into the research I dove. Head first.
It took a long time, but today I am going to go through the claims of the other bloggers one by one so that you can see the conclusion that I came to and why.
Following is a list of the claims that others have made against stevia.
I’ll go through them one by one (hopefully I didn’t miss any) so you can see whether or not you think they are a problem.
Is Stevia Safe?
Claims Against Stevia– it can cause infertility
– has a hormonal structure
– it can act as a mutagen and cause cancer
– it taxes the adrenals
– causes hormone issues
– causes hypoglycemia
– lowers blood pressure
– has dangerous additives
– high in oxalates
– tastes bitter YIKES!
Before you go panicking and throw your stevia in the garbage, read on.
Here’s where I need to start setting the record straight.
The Concerns and The Truth About Stevia
{Please note that the following is not medical advice. I am not a physician. Please consult with your physician prior to changing your diet or supplement regimen. This is for entertainment purposes only. Sorry – had to get that disclaimer in there, folks! There might be an affiliate link or 2 included as well and if you click on one and make a purchase I might make a commission. Your support is very much appreciated and helps keep this free resource up and running.}
1. Stevia is often mixed with additives.Stevia sold in stores and online is sometimes mixed with fillers and flavor enhancers like:
– maltodextrin
– glycerine (I use this for low carb baking anyway and don’t really have a problem with it as long as it’s not made from GMO soy)
– dextrose
– cellulose
– erythritol (I have mixed feelings on this one)
– the ubiquitous undisclosed “natural flavors”
I’m sorry but this is simply a ridiculous argument.
While bloggers who make this point are correct to point out that there are often unsavory things added to stevia, this is the equivalent of saying that we shouldn’t eat meat because it’s often mixed with nitrates, the cows are often fed antibiotics or it is made into hotdogs.
Just.Buy.Stevia.That.Isn’t.Mixed.With.Anything.Else.
That would be Pure Stevia Extract.
Like I said, however, I don’t really have a problem with glycerine and often I have called companies that have “natural flavors” on their label only to find that their flavorings were completely natural extracts only. So sometimes the “natural flavors” aren’t so scary after all and it isn’t necessarily a problem to buy stevia with additional ingredients – just do your homework.
Pay attention to the labels on the stevia you are considering buying. And the price. If the price looks too good to be true, chances are you are getting a stevia with fillers. On to the next argument.
2. Stevia is bad because it tastes bitter.Yes, some stevia is sub par.
Some is just bad and even pretty horrendous-tasting. But if you do your research, you can find great tasting stevia.
I have always loved NuNaturals, but I am now possibly on the hunt for a replacement as they’ve changed their formula. It’s still pretty good but I have a thing about finding “the best” (like with essential oils). Of course, if you use too much stevia in baked goods and the like, you just might get a bitter aftertaste, but there are ways around that.
If you use less, or use stevia with other sweeteners, you can by and large avoid that problem.
Check out these posts for more info:
– Stevia – What it Is and How to Use It
– 6 Tips to Really Like Stevia – This one is written by a former stevia hater and has some GREAT tipsfor avoiding the bitter aftertaste.
I’m working on choosing some more brands to recommend to you – but it’s taking awhile. Hang in there!
3. Stevia Causes Adrenal Problems
The argument here is that:
-you eat stevia
– your body expects glucose because it tastes something sweet
– your body lowers blood sugar (causing hypoglycemia) since it is clearing the way for glucose -your body sends cortisol and adrenaline to create sugar from your tissues. Thus you are causing stress on the adrenals by eating stevia.
I couldn’t find any research to back this up. All I can say is that my adrenal issues are far better now after years of eating stevia than they were when I was eating sugar.
Plus there are plenty of places where folks recommend stevia over and above sugar and higher glycemic sweeteners in order to heal adrenal issues including here and here.
I just don’t see enough evidence of this for it to merit giving up stevia. I do think that perhaps one could just not drink non caloric drinks with only stevia and make sure that stevia is consumed with other calories to mitigate any possible effect.
One important thing to note is that those who make this claim appear to be of the mindset that candida is not caused or aggravated by sugar consumption. I beg to differ.
I agree that candida is very complex but yeast feeds off of sugar. Just bake some homemade bread to see how it works and it’s plain as day.
4. Stevia Can Cause Hypoglycemia
Another concern brought up about stevia is that is causes hypoglycemia. This is tied into the adrenal issue cited above.
Let me tell you this. I had hypoglycemia (I diagnosed myself — my doctor missed it) and I had it bad.
I went completely off sugar at that point and started eating a bunch of stevia. More than I ever had before.
My hypoglycemia is gone.
Totally reversed.
Now, does that mean someone else couldn’t have an odd reaction to stevia that might cause hypoglycemia? Of course, it doesn’t mean that. If you are concerned, check your blood sugar after consuming stevia. Everyone is different.
5. Stevia Causes Infertility and Miscarriages
One of the main concerns about stevia is that it affects fertility.
There is information floating around the internet that there are studies showing that stevia caused infertility in rats, and there’s also talk that stevia has been used in Paraguay for contraception.
Well, we can put this issue to rest. There have been several studies showing contraception issues with stevia, but they have all been debunked.
Take my word for it, or click through here to read a very very thorough article, with appropriate sourcing that addresses this issue completely. Source
Of course, I completely agree with the author of the above-referenced post. If you think stevia is causing issues with your fertility, stop using it. Just the stress of that questioning might be enough to cause issues for you.
6. Stevia Doesn’t Support Glycogen Synthesis
The argument here is that your body needs glucose to function but basically this is the same argument of the hypoglycemia and adrenal issues.
However, in one post the additional argument was made that your body needs glycogen to convert inactive thyroid hormone T4 into active thyroid hormone T3.
The thinking here is that if you are using stevia instead of fruit and natural sugars, then you won’t have sufficient glycogen. I don’t know enough about this but I have been doing a lot of reading about the effects of low carb diets on thyroid and adrenal health and I think it’s worth thinking about.
Basically, however, I don’t think that this argument necessitates giving up stevia, but it does mean that we ought to consider making sure that we have sufficient carbs in our diets. This post from Wellness Mama and this one from Chris Kresser go into great depth regarding these low carb / adrenal / thyroid issues.
7. Stevia is really a hormone is disguiseSeveral bloggers mentioned that stevia is synthesized in the same pathway as 2 plant hormones, and that it ends up being structurally similar to those hormones.
Again, this is something that I could not find anything about on the internet. And just because something is synthesized in the same way or is structurally similar to hormones, that doesn’t mean it is a hormone. Take NaCl for example.
Salt is fine to eat and we sprinkle it on food all the time. HCl, however, is stomach acid and we would do damage to ourselves if we sprinkled it on our food. (I take HCl as a dietary supplement as mentioned here, but you would cause serious damage to your teeth and esophagus if you sprinkled it on your food.
Just because something is similar to something else doesn’t mean that it has the same qualities as that thing. I did, however, find this very detailed article on stevia that seems to state that it isn’t that stevia is synthesized in the same way as gibberellin and kaurene but that the plant is making kaurene and can either make gibberellin or stevia.
So that puts this argument into question for me. I haven’t dug into this enough, but I do think I feel at peace enough to not worry about it.
8. Stevia is High in Oxalates
One of the bloggers initially wrote about stevia being high in oxalates, but she later removed that from her blog post.
However, since it was initially there, I am going to address it. Oxalates are naturally-occurring substances in foods, but some people are very concerned about reducing them in their diet.
Those with kidney stones, hypercalciuria, etc. I personally know some bloggers who are very concerned about oxalates so I looked into this. My thinking is this. Even if stevia were high in oxalates, the amount of stevia used is so small that it doesn’t amount to much and should not be a concern since oxalates are everywhere.
For more on oxalates, read this article. Now – just when you thought you’d heard enough, to make things a little more interesting, I am going to throw 2 more arguments into the ring:
9. Stevia Can Cause Mutagenic Reactions and Cancer
I read in several places that stevia can cause mutations and even cancer. Scary stuff.
Thankfully, one of the posts on stevia did clarify that the studies that appeared to demonstrate these risks were in the minority and that the amounts of stevia fed to subjects were quite high so they are typically discarded in discussions questioning stevia’s safety.
This study is one showing that stevia consumption does not cause genetic problems. From the study:
these substances do not pose a risk of genetic damage following human consumption.
Glad to hear it.
10. Stevia Can Cause Allergic Reactions
I thought for a period of time that I was allergic to stevia.
I would use it and thought I was having sinus and eye symptoms from it. Over time I did a bunch of trials and errors and finally came to the conclusion that I am not allergic to it.
Boy, was I thrilled. Please do note that stevia is related to daisies, chrysanthemums, ragweed or marigolds.
It’s possible that if you are allergic to these plants that you might have a cross-reaction to stevia.
But that is not the case for everyone and I am proof positive of that. Bottom Line – Anyone can be allergic to anything.
Remember The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?
You can either avoid the food or address internal issues that are causing your immune system to overreact, or both. But just because stevia might cause allergies in some is not reason to avoid it. Make sure you read the next section which addresses another possible cause for reactions to stevia.
11. Stevia is Sometimes Processed with ChemicalsI didn’t see this on any other blogs, but I will bring this into the ring myself.
Some stevia producers use chemicals to product their stevia extract. For that reason, I only choose stevia from companies that do not use chemicals for processing their pure stevia extract. If you are having reactions to stevia, you might wish to contact the manufacturer to see how they process their stevia.
12. Stevia Can Cause You to Eat More SweetsA reader commented that I should add this to the list – that sweeteners like stevia can cause your body to expect glucose and therefore you end up craving and eating more as a result. Apparently this happens particularly in those who are sugar-sensitive.
This would apply to all low carb sweeteners and not just stevia – the same with many of the negative claims here. I have read about this before but I haven’t experienced this. In fact, I think I crave sweets more and eat more if I eat the “real sugars”.
ConclusionI think that there are numerous benefits to using stevia and I also think that the concerns are largely unfounded. For those of us struggling with candida, blood sugar issues (like diabetes or insulin resistance) or trying to eat a low carb diet, I think there is likely no better thing to put in your cuppa. Or even bake with. Because life without brownies is hard, right?
Now that you are likely feeling better about stevia, again, here are some helpful posts:
1. Stevia – What It Is and How to Use It
2. 6 Tips to Really LOVE Stevia
3. Homemade Liquid Stevia Drops
Does Stevia Cause Infertility?
Hethir Rodriguez C.H., C.M.T.
There has been a lot of debate in recent months as to whether or not Stevia can cause infertility.
While Stevia is being touted as the “new” sugar substitute of choice, it is interesting to note that this all natural sweetener has been used for more than 1,500 years with little (if any) side effects.
So, why all the hype regarding Stevia’s ability to alter a woman’s fertility? The answer to that questions stems from two sources:
That begs the question, if Stevia can indeed prohibit a pregnancy, why hasn’t more research been done to see if it can be used to develop better and safer contraceptives for women? The answer to that question is “It has!”
Since the first study performed in Uruguay was released in the 1960’s, there have been countless other studies completed which contradict its findings. But, first let’s talk about the two main studies used by the FDA to keep Stevia from becoming a common sweetener in American homes.
The Kruc Study
In 1968, Professor Joseph Kruc, a member of Purdue University’s department of biochemistry conducted a study of Stevia at the University of the Republic in Montevideo. Giving a small number of rats very high doses of stevia, it was concluded that the rats given the herbal extract produced less offspring than those who were not.
The problem, even Kruc admits today, is that the rats in the study were given such high doses of Stevia for such a short period of time, that even if it did cause the fertility problems noted, it could have been because of an overdose of the compound. People ingesting Stevia as a sweetener would never be able to consume such a large amount in such a short period of time.
Another concern Kruc admits is that there is no evidence to show that the reaction experienced by the rats would also be experienced by humans.
The Alvarez Study
In 1988, professor Mauro Alvarez of Brazil’s University of Maringa Foundation, repeated the study, reporting in a Brazilian pharmaceutical journal that female mice given Stevia experienced a contraceptive effect similar to those reported by Kruc.
The problem with the results, argue critics is that the Alvarez study lacks the information and analysis required by such a research study and can not be considered valid. According to the Herb Research Foundation the study lacks any credibility at all and should be disregarded.
Even Alvarez himself now claims that further research has led him to believe that Stevia is completely safe for human consumption.
Despite the problems with both studies, the FDA continues to use them as their main source against Stevia.
More Recent Research
Many other researchers have take on the task of proving that Stevia is a safe natural sweetener, which offers no detrimental health or fertility effects to its users. Dozens of researchers throughout the United States and Europe have studied the herbal extract, but to date have found no evidence that it causes any of the problems cited in the earlier reports.
In 1999, the primate research center of Chulalonhkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand gave high doses of Stevia to both male and female hamsters to see if their fertility would be affected. Even though 2,500 mg a day was administered ( a human dose is about 2 mg), there was no evidence of decreased fertility.
Then in 2008, researchers reported in the Journal of Endocrinology and Reproduction (vol 12, 2008) that Stevia rebaudiana had absolutely no adverse effects on the fertility of female mice.
The same conclusion has been reached in a number of other studies including those conducted by The Herb Research Foundation, Medicinal Plant Research of the USDA and The Division of Pathology, National Institutes of Health, Japan.
So, what’s the bottom line?
It seems that these two research studies, dating back almost 40 years, had kept the FDA from approving Stevia as a common sweetener, due to concerns about its effects on both male and female fertility. Dozens of further research studies show no evidence for concern.
Plus, there is some question as to why pharmaceutical companies worldwide have not used Stevia, a completely safe herbal extract, to develop better and more effective contraceptives if indeed it holds these properties. The answer may lie in the fact that it simply doesn’t.
Today, Stevia is sold in almost all grocery stores in both liquid and powdered form, as a sugar substitute.
Conclusion
Our conclusion? At this point, there is no evidence to support the claim that Stevia can – or does – cause a decrease in fertility for either men or women. Stevia may be a very useful herb for women who have PCOS and are seeking an alternative to using sugar in their diets. In short it seems that most modern day research shows no evidence that Stevia will decrease your fertility or that it can be used for contraceptive purposes. While this all-natural sweetener appears safe for human conception, it is important to note that if you personally are worried that it could have an impact to your fertility it is best to avoid it. After all, the stress of wondering whether or not it is keeping you from getting pregnant could in itself impede conception.
Resources
1. Science, (vol 162, Nov. 1968)
2. Journal of Endocrinology and Reproduction (Vol. 12, 2008)
3. The Stevia Cookbook, 199 by Ray Sahelian MD and Suan Gates
Hethir Rodriguez C.H., C.M.T.
There has been a lot of debate in recent months as to whether or not Stevia can cause infertility.
While Stevia is being touted as the “new” sugar substitute of choice, it is interesting to note that this all natural sweetener has been used for more than 1,500 years with little (if any) side effects.
So, why all the hype regarding Stevia’s ability to alter a woman’s fertility? The answer to that questions stems from two sources:
- Someone mentioning that women in Paraguay use extracts from the Stevia plant as a contraceptive
- A 32 year old study which cited that Stevia does indeed offer a contraceptive effect.
That begs the question, if Stevia can indeed prohibit a pregnancy, why hasn’t more research been done to see if it can be used to develop better and safer contraceptives for women? The answer to that question is “It has!”
Since the first study performed in Uruguay was released in the 1960’s, there have been countless other studies completed which contradict its findings. But, first let’s talk about the two main studies used by the FDA to keep Stevia from becoming a common sweetener in American homes.
The Kruc Study
In 1968, Professor Joseph Kruc, a member of Purdue University’s department of biochemistry conducted a study of Stevia at the University of the Republic in Montevideo. Giving a small number of rats very high doses of stevia, it was concluded that the rats given the herbal extract produced less offspring than those who were not.
The problem, even Kruc admits today, is that the rats in the study were given such high doses of Stevia for such a short period of time, that even if it did cause the fertility problems noted, it could have been because of an overdose of the compound. People ingesting Stevia as a sweetener would never be able to consume such a large amount in such a short period of time.
Another concern Kruc admits is that there is no evidence to show that the reaction experienced by the rats would also be experienced by humans.
The Alvarez Study
In 1988, professor Mauro Alvarez of Brazil’s University of Maringa Foundation, repeated the study, reporting in a Brazilian pharmaceutical journal that female mice given Stevia experienced a contraceptive effect similar to those reported by Kruc.
The problem with the results, argue critics is that the Alvarez study lacks the information and analysis required by such a research study and can not be considered valid. According to the Herb Research Foundation the study lacks any credibility at all and should be disregarded.
Even Alvarez himself now claims that further research has led him to believe that Stevia is completely safe for human consumption.
Despite the problems with both studies, the FDA continues to use them as their main source against Stevia.
More Recent Research
Many other researchers have take on the task of proving that Stevia is a safe natural sweetener, which offers no detrimental health or fertility effects to its users. Dozens of researchers throughout the United States and Europe have studied the herbal extract, but to date have found no evidence that it causes any of the problems cited in the earlier reports.
In 1999, the primate research center of Chulalonhkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand gave high doses of Stevia to both male and female hamsters to see if their fertility would be affected. Even though 2,500 mg a day was administered ( a human dose is about 2 mg), there was no evidence of decreased fertility.
Then in 2008, researchers reported in the Journal of Endocrinology and Reproduction (vol 12, 2008) that Stevia rebaudiana had absolutely no adverse effects on the fertility of female mice.
The same conclusion has been reached in a number of other studies including those conducted by The Herb Research Foundation, Medicinal Plant Research of the USDA and The Division of Pathology, National Institutes of Health, Japan.
So, what’s the bottom line?
It seems that these two research studies, dating back almost 40 years, had kept the FDA from approving Stevia as a common sweetener, due to concerns about its effects on both male and female fertility. Dozens of further research studies show no evidence for concern.
Plus, there is some question as to why pharmaceutical companies worldwide have not used Stevia, a completely safe herbal extract, to develop better and more effective contraceptives if indeed it holds these properties. The answer may lie in the fact that it simply doesn’t.
Today, Stevia is sold in almost all grocery stores in both liquid and powdered form, as a sugar substitute.
Conclusion
Our conclusion? At this point, there is no evidence to support the claim that Stevia can – or does – cause a decrease in fertility for either men or women. Stevia may be a very useful herb for women who have PCOS and are seeking an alternative to using sugar in their diets. In short it seems that most modern day research shows no evidence that Stevia will decrease your fertility or that it can be used for contraceptive purposes. While this all-natural sweetener appears safe for human conception, it is important to note that if you personally are worried that it could have an impact to your fertility it is best to avoid it. After all, the stress of wondering whether or not it is keeping you from getting pregnant could in itself impede conception.
Resources
1. Science, (vol 162, Nov. 1968)
2. Journal of Endocrinology and Reproduction (Vol. 12, 2008)
3. The Stevia Cookbook, 199 by Ray Sahelian MD and Suan Gates
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