Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSide EffectsTypesDosage
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Side Effects
Types
Dosage
Stevia’s potential side effects can include nausea, bloating, decreased blood pressure, and potential impacts on the liver. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers stevia leaf extract safe for consumption, however, and it is unlikely to cause side effects in most people.
This article discusses the different forms of stevia and the side effects of this sugar alternative.
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Side Effects from Stevia
Stevia does not cause side effects in most people. However, some may experience the following when consuming products sweetened with stevia:
Does stevia cause inflammation?Stevia is not known to cause inflammation. Some studies suggest it may have anti-inflammatory properties, though more research is needed to determine the magnitude of this effect.
Does stevia cause inflammation?
Stevia is not known to cause inflammation. Some studies suggest it may have anti-inflammatory properties, though more research is needed to determine the magnitude of this effect.
Contraindications
Stevia is safe for most people to use. However, since stevia can have blood pressure lowering effects, as well asdiureticeffects, those taking certain medications or who have certain health conditions should talk with their healthcare provider before consuming significant quantities of Stevia.
People who may be more likely to experience side effects from stevia include people taking medications to lower blood pressure or those diagnosed with:
Does Stevia Cause Cancer?Early studies of stevia suggested it waslinked to cancer, causing the initial FDA ban in 1991. However, subsequent research led the FDA to reverse the ban as hundreds of studies' reviews showed no increased risk of cancer linked to stevia consumption.
Does Stevia Cause Cancer?
Early studies of stevia suggested it waslinked to cancer, causing the initial FDA ban in 1991. However, subsequent research led the FDA to reverse the ban as hundreds of studies' reviews showed no increased risk of cancer linked to stevia consumption.
Stevia During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
What Kinds of Stevia Are Unsafe?
Stevia leaf extract, known to most as stevia, is a natural,zero-calorie sweetenerused as asugar substitute. It is derived from the leaves of theStevia rebaudianaplant and has been used for centuries in South America.There are 11steviol glycosides(also called steviosides) in the stevia leaf, responsible for giving stevia its sweet flavor.
Forms of Stevia
Stevia is available in a few different forms. Some of these are safe for consumption, while others have not been thoroughly evaluated for safety. Forms include:
Stevia is much sweeter than sugar and may be up to 250–300 times sweeter than sucrose, the molecule in table sugar.Despite this, stevia contains no calories or carbohydrates, compared to sugar which has 15 calories and 4 grams of carbohydrates per teaspoon.
Stevia may be a healthy option for those looking to lower their calorie orcarbohydrate intake, such as people withtype 2 diabetes. However, some studies suggest that consuming nonnutritive sweeteners such as Stevia instead of sugar does not reduce overall calorie intake orblood sugar levels.
How Does Stevia Compare to Other Zero-Calorie Sweeteners?
Another popular zero-calorie sweetener is sucralose, sold under the brand nameSplenda. Sucralose is derived from sugar in a chemical process and is 400–700 times sweeter than sugar.However, animal studies have linked sucralose to cancer and disruptions to thegut microbiome.
Though research on the long-term effects of stevia is limited, there is no evidence that it causescancer.Sucralose can be especially carcinogenic (cancer-causing) when heated, so stevia may be a healthier option for baking.
How does stevia compare to sugar?Stevia contains zero calories and carbohydrates, while sugar contains 15 calories and 4 carbohydrates per teaspoon. However, studies suggest that consuming sugar substitutes such as stevia in place of sugar does not have an impact on overall daily calories intake or blood sugar levels.
How does stevia compare to sugar?
Stevia contains zero calories and carbohydrates, while sugar contains 15 calories and 4 carbohydrates per teaspoon. However, studies suggest that consuming sugar substitutes such as stevia in place of sugar does not have an impact on overall daily calories intake or blood sugar levels.
Dosage Amounts
Though stevia leaf extract is generally recognized as safe, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) formed the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), which has set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for consumption. The ADI is the maximum average daily intake of a substance over a person’s lifetime that is expected to be safe. It is based on significant research.
Is Stevia OK to Have Every Day?
It is safe to consume stevia every day. However, the ADI for steviol is 4 milligrams (mg) per kilogram body weight per day. This amounts to about 12 mg per kilograms (kg) of Stevia extract per day. For A 150-pound person, this would amount to around 40 packets of stevia.
While that high level of consumption is not generally recommended, it demonstrates the vast volume of stevia you would need to consume for it to be considered unsafe.
Summary
Stevia is a zero-calorie, nonnutritive sweetener made from theStevia rebaudianaplant’s leaves. While most people will not experience any side effects from consuming it, stevia blends containing sugar alcohols may cause gastrointestinal symptoms in people with sugar alcohol sensitivity.
Stevia also has blood pressure– and blood glucose–lowering effects, so people on certain medications or conditions should speak with their healthcare provider before using stevia for a prolonged period.
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mäkinen KK.Gastrointestinal Disturbances Associated with the Consumption of Sugar Alcohols with Special Consideration of Xylitol: Scientific Review and Instructions for Dentists and Other Health-Care Professionals.Int J Dent. 2016;2016:5967907.Nettleton JE, Klancic T, Schick A, et al.Low-Dose Stevia (Rebaudioside A) Consumption Perturbs Gut Microbiota and the Mesolimbic Dopamine Reward System.Nutrients. 2019;11(6):1248.Peteliuk V, Rybchuk L, Bayliak M, Storey KB, Lushchak O.Natural sweetenerStevia rebaudiana: Functionalities, health benefits and potential risks. EXCLI J. 2021 Sep 22;20:1412-1430. doi: 10.17179/excli2021-4211Farid A, Hesham M, El-Dewak M, Amin A. The hidden hazardous effects of Stevia and sucralose consumption in male and female albino mice in comparison to sucrose.Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. 2020;28(10):1290-1300.Xi D, Bhattacharjee J, Salazar-Gonzalez R-M, et al.Rebaudioside affords hepatoprotection ameliorating sugar sweetened beverage- induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.Scientific Reports. 2020;10(1)Perrier J, Mihalov J, Carlson S.FDA regulatory approach to steviol glycosides.Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2018;122:132-142.Pope E, Koren G, Bozzo P.Sugar substitutes during pregnancy.Can Fam Physician. 2014;60(11):1003-1005.Ashwell M.Stevia, Nature’s Zero-Calorie Sustainable Sweetener: A New Player in the Fight Against Obesity.Nutr Today. 2015;50(3):129-134.Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.Additional information about high-intensity sweeteners.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Darwish H, Twaddle G, Widmoyer A, Gibbons U, Mahrizi MA, Lawati HA.Exploring the metabolic implications of dextrin and maltodextrin on Type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance: a systematic analysis (part 1).Biotechnol J Int. 2024;28(3):39-44. doi:10.9734/bji/2024/v28i3722Sugars, granulated. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Bundgaard Anker CC, Rafiq S, Jeppesen PB.Effect of Steviol Glycosides on Human Health with Emphasis on Type 2 Diabetic Biomarkers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2019 Aug 21;11(9):1965. doi: 10.3390/nu11091965Tey SL, Salleh NB, Henry J, Forde CG.Effects of aspartame-, monk fruit-, stevia- and sucrose-sweetened beverages on postprandial glucose, insulin and energy intake.Int J Obes (Lond). 2017;41(3):450-457.AlDeeb OA, Mahgoub H, Foda NH.Sucralose.Profiles Drug Subst Excip Relat Methodol. 2013;38:423-462.M S, M P, E T, et al.Sucralose administered in feed, beginning prenatally through lifespan, induces hematopoietic neoplasias in male swiss mice.Int J Occup Environ Health. 2016;22(1):7-17.Lohner S, Toews I, Meerpohl JJ.Health outcomes of non-nutritive sweeteners: analysis of the research landscape.Nutrition Journal. 2017;16(1):55. doi:10.1186/s12937-017-0278-xWorld Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.Principles and methods for the risk assessment of chemicals.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mäkinen KK.Gastrointestinal Disturbances Associated with the Consumption of Sugar Alcohols with Special Consideration of Xylitol: Scientific Review and Instructions for Dentists and Other Health-Care Professionals.Int J Dent. 2016;2016:5967907.Nettleton JE, Klancic T, Schick A, et al.Low-Dose Stevia (Rebaudioside A) Consumption Perturbs Gut Microbiota and the Mesolimbic Dopamine Reward System.Nutrients. 2019;11(6):1248.Peteliuk V, Rybchuk L, Bayliak M, Storey KB, Lushchak O.Natural sweetenerStevia rebaudiana: Functionalities, health benefits and potential risks. EXCLI J. 2021 Sep 22;20:1412-1430. doi: 10.17179/excli2021-4211Farid A, Hesham M, El-Dewak M, Amin A. The hidden hazardous effects of Stevia and sucralose consumption in male and female albino mice in comparison to sucrose.Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. 2020;28(10):1290-1300.Xi D, Bhattacharjee J, Salazar-Gonzalez R-M, et al.Rebaudioside affords hepatoprotection ameliorating sugar sweetened beverage- induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.Scientific Reports. 2020;10(1)Perrier J, Mihalov J, Carlson S.FDA regulatory approach to steviol glycosides.Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2018;122:132-142.Pope E, Koren G, Bozzo P.Sugar substitutes during pregnancy.Can Fam Physician. 2014;60(11):1003-1005.Ashwell M.Stevia, Nature’s Zero-Calorie Sustainable Sweetener: A New Player in the Fight Against Obesity.Nutr Today. 2015;50(3):129-134.Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.Additional information about high-intensity sweeteners.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Darwish H, Twaddle G, Widmoyer A, Gibbons U, Mahrizi MA, Lawati HA.Exploring the metabolic implications of dextrin and maltodextrin on Type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance: a systematic analysis (part 1).Biotechnol J Int. 2024;28(3):39-44. doi:10.9734/bji/2024/v28i3722Sugars, granulated. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Bundgaard Anker CC, Rafiq S, Jeppesen PB.Effect of Steviol Glycosides on Human Health with Emphasis on Type 2 Diabetic Biomarkers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2019 Aug 21;11(9):1965. doi: 10.3390/nu11091965Tey SL, Salleh NB, Henry J, Forde CG.Effects of aspartame-, monk fruit-, stevia- and sucrose-sweetened beverages on postprandial glucose, insulin and energy intake.Int J Obes (Lond). 2017;41(3):450-457.AlDeeb OA, Mahgoub H, Foda NH.Sucralose.Profiles Drug Subst Excip Relat Methodol. 2013;38:423-462.M S, M P, E T, et al.Sucralose administered in feed, beginning prenatally through lifespan, induces hematopoietic neoplasias in male swiss mice.Int J Occup Environ Health. 2016;22(1):7-17.Lohner S, Toews I, Meerpohl JJ.Health outcomes of non-nutritive sweeteners: analysis of the research landscape.Nutrition Journal. 2017;16(1):55. doi:10.1186/s12937-017-0278-xWorld Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.Principles and methods for the risk assessment of chemicals.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mäkinen KK.Gastrointestinal Disturbances Associated with the Consumption of Sugar Alcohols with Special Consideration of Xylitol: Scientific Review and Instructions for Dentists and Other Health-Care Professionals.Int J Dent. 2016;2016:5967907.Nettleton JE, Klancic T, Schick A, et al.Low-Dose Stevia (Rebaudioside A) Consumption Perturbs Gut Microbiota and the Mesolimbic Dopamine Reward System.Nutrients. 2019;11(6):1248.Peteliuk V, Rybchuk L, Bayliak M, Storey KB, Lushchak O.Natural sweetenerStevia rebaudiana: Functionalities, health benefits and potential risks. EXCLI J. 2021 Sep 22;20:1412-1430. doi: 10.17179/excli2021-4211Farid A, Hesham M, El-Dewak M, Amin A. The hidden hazardous effects of Stevia and sucralose consumption in male and female albino mice in comparison to sucrose.Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. 2020;28(10):1290-1300.Xi D, Bhattacharjee J, Salazar-Gonzalez R-M, et al.Rebaudioside affords hepatoprotection ameliorating sugar sweetened beverage- induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.Scientific Reports. 2020;10(1)Perrier J, Mihalov J, Carlson S.FDA regulatory approach to steviol glycosides.Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2018;122:132-142.Pope E, Koren G, Bozzo P.Sugar substitutes during pregnancy.Can Fam Physician. 2014;60(11):1003-1005.Ashwell M.Stevia, Nature’s Zero-Calorie Sustainable Sweetener: A New Player in the Fight Against Obesity.Nutr Today. 2015;50(3):129-134.Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.Additional information about high-intensity sweeteners.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Darwish H, Twaddle G, Widmoyer A, Gibbons U, Mahrizi MA, Lawati HA.Exploring the metabolic implications of dextrin and maltodextrin on Type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance: a systematic analysis (part 1).Biotechnol J Int. 2024;28(3):39-44. doi:10.9734/bji/2024/v28i3722Sugars, granulated. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Bundgaard Anker CC, Rafiq S, Jeppesen PB.Effect of Steviol Glycosides on Human Health with Emphasis on Type 2 Diabetic Biomarkers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2019 Aug 21;11(9):1965. doi: 10.3390/nu11091965Tey SL, Salleh NB, Henry J, Forde CG.Effects of aspartame-, monk fruit-, stevia- and sucrose-sweetened beverages on postprandial glucose, insulin and energy intake.Int J Obes (Lond). 2017;41(3):450-457.AlDeeb OA, Mahgoub H, Foda NH.Sucralose.Profiles Drug Subst Excip Relat Methodol. 2013;38:423-462.M S, M P, E T, et al.Sucralose administered in feed, beginning prenatally through lifespan, induces hematopoietic neoplasias in male swiss mice.Int J Occup Environ Health. 2016;22(1):7-17.Lohner S, Toews I, Meerpohl JJ.Health outcomes of non-nutritive sweeteners: analysis of the research landscape.Nutrition Journal. 2017;16(1):55. doi:10.1186/s12937-017-0278-xWorld Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.Principles and methods for the risk assessment of chemicals.
Mäkinen KK.Gastrointestinal Disturbances Associated with the Consumption of Sugar Alcohols with Special Consideration of Xylitol: Scientific Review and Instructions for Dentists and Other Health-Care Professionals.Int J Dent. 2016;2016:5967907.
Nettleton JE, Klancic T, Schick A, et al.Low-Dose Stevia (Rebaudioside A) Consumption Perturbs Gut Microbiota and the Mesolimbic Dopamine Reward System.Nutrients. 2019;11(6):1248.
Peteliuk V, Rybchuk L, Bayliak M, Storey KB, Lushchak O.Natural sweetenerStevia rebaudiana: Functionalities, health benefits and potential risks. EXCLI J. 2021 Sep 22;20:1412-1430. doi: 10.17179/excli2021-4211
Farid A, Hesham M, El-Dewak M, Amin A. The hidden hazardous effects of Stevia and sucralose consumption in male and female albino mice in comparison to sucrose.Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. 2020;28(10):1290-1300.
Xi D, Bhattacharjee J, Salazar-Gonzalez R-M, et al.Rebaudioside affords hepatoprotection ameliorating sugar sweetened beverage- induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.Scientific Reports. 2020;10(1)
Perrier J, Mihalov J, Carlson S.FDA regulatory approach to steviol glycosides.Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2018;122:132-142.
Pope E, Koren G, Bozzo P.Sugar substitutes during pregnancy.Can Fam Physician. 2014;60(11):1003-1005.
Ashwell M.Stevia, Nature’s Zero-Calorie Sustainable Sweetener: A New Player in the Fight Against Obesity.Nutr Today. 2015;50(3):129-134.
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.Additional information about high-intensity sweeteners.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Darwish H, Twaddle G, Widmoyer A, Gibbons U, Mahrizi MA, Lawati HA.Exploring the metabolic implications of dextrin and maltodextrin on Type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance: a systematic analysis (part 1).Biotechnol J Int. 2024;28(3):39-44. doi:10.9734/bji/2024/v28i3722
Sugars, granulated. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.
Bundgaard Anker CC, Rafiq S, Jeppesen PB.Effect of Steviol Glycosides on Human Health with Emphasis on Type 2 Diabetic Biomarkers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2019 Aug 21;11(9):1965. doi: 10.3390/nu11091965
Tey SL, Salleh NB, Henry J, Forde CG.Effects of aspartame-, monk fruit-, stevia- and sucrose-sweetened beverages on postprandial glucose, insulin and energy intake.Int J Obes (Lond). 2017;41(3):450-457.
AlDeeb OA, Mahgoub H, Foda NH.Sucralose.Profiles Drug Subst Excip Relat Methodol. 2013;38:423-462.
M S, M P, E T, et al.Sucralose administered in feed, beginning prenatally through lifespan, induces hematopoietic neoplasias in male swiss mice.Int J Occup Environ Health. 2016;22(1):7-17.
Lohner S, Toews I, Meerpohl JJ.Health outcomes of non-nutritive sweeteners: analysis of the research landscape.Nutrition Journal. 2017;16(1):55. doi:10.1186/s12937-017-0278-x
World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.Principles and methods for the risk assessment of chemicals.
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