Why Do People Use Artificial Sweeteners?

The statistics show that around 40% of people are overweight. Three components that promote this are refined carbs, junk food, and sugars. Obesity, caused by overeating, in turn, leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. That is why numerous people substitute sugar with artificial sweeteners, in hope of saving their health. Some, however, wonder whether there is a link between the consumption of stevia and belly fat. The thing is that although artificial sweeteners are low in calories, which makes them a great option for weight loss diets, research shows that consumption of low-calorie sweeteners may promote metabolic syndrome and increase the risk of prediabetes and diabetes in patients with obesity. So, should people consume artificial sweeteners or keep them at bay? Read on to find out!

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Stevia: Properties, Components, Benefits

Stevia is an extract of the plant stevia rebaudiana. It became extremely popular as an artificial sweetener due to its very low caloric contents and sweetness – it is 200 times sweeter than sugar.

Stevia contains 8 glycosides, which are sweet components that have been purified from the leaves of stevia. These glycosides are dulcoside A, stevioside, steviolbioside, and rebaudioside A, B, C, D, E, and F.

A 2017 research showed that stevia has the potential of treating endocrine diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. But that is not all there is to benefits of this sweetener. Here are other pros of moderate stevia consumption:

● Is allowed for patients with diabetes

Stevia is a safe and great option for people who suffer from diabetes since it doesn’t increase the number of consumed carbs or calories and doesn’t affect insulin or blood glucose response. It can also lead to a significant reduction in blood glucagon, which is a hormone, responsible for the regulation of glucose levels in the blood.

● May reduce blood pressure

A 2013 research showed that stevia has the potential to reduce blood pressure in people with mild essential hypertension. It is said to have cardiotonic actions, which can regulate blood pressure and heartbeat.

● Aids in weight management

As you know, weight loss is about eating fewer calories than you burn. So, in order to lose weight, a person needs to consume nutrient-dense and low-calorie foods. Since stevia is extremely low in calories, it promotes lower caloric intake, which adds to weight loss.

● Doesn’t cause allergic reactions

A 2010 review shows that stevia is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, whenever it is consumed in foods.

Is Stevia Bad for You?

No matter how beneficial it is for your health, you should never overlook the negative effects of stevia. Here are the main stevia side effects that can answer the question “Is stevia bad for you?”:

● Blood sugar reduction

Since stevia can regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, its consumption over a long period of time may cause hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels.

● Endocrine disruption

Stevia may interfere with hormones controlled by the endocrine system. A 2016 study found that human sperm cells exposed to stevia had a higher amount of progesterone.

● Adverse effect on the kidney

Stevia consumption can increase the rate at which water and electrolytes are expelled from the body through urine. That is why it is believed that long-term consumption of this sweetener may harm the kidney. However, a 2013 study showed that cyst growth in kidney cells was reduced after a period of stevia use.

Belly Fat and What Causes It?

Belly fat is fat depositions located around and in the abdomen. The latter is called visceral fat and is the most dangerous type of fat in the human body. It is accumulated around organs and is extremely difficult to get rid of. It can lead to such health problems as cardiovascular diseases, asthma, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and others. To prevent the accumulation of belly fat you need to know what causes it, so here are the main causes of this problem:

● Poor diet

● Regular alcohol consumption

● Increased levels of stress

● Lack of exercise

● Poor rest

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Does Stevia Cause Belly Fat?

As was mentioned before, stevia is extremely low in calories and carbs, which are two factors that increase the risk of belly fat. However, stevia can cause an insulin response. There is little evidence to support or deny the claim that stevia can cause belly fat. One of the researches that imply that it is possible is a 2008 study conducted on broiler diets, which showed that stevia leaves and stevioside diet significantly increased abdominal fat content. However, the evidence is insufficient, and further research is needed to make any conclusions about whether stevia can cause belly fat.

Can you add stevia to ginger tea and still burn belly fat?

Due to its antioxidant properties, ginger is used to fight against inflammation in the body, which aids in weight loss. Since stevia is a low-calorie sweetener, and weight loss is based on a caloric deficit, if you substitute sugar from your ginger tea with stevia, then you will be able to experience all the benefits of this beverage, without significantly increasing your caloric intake. In other words, if your goal is to burn belly fat, you can add stevia to ginger tea instead of sugar.

Conclusion

Stevia can be a real lifesaver for people who have sweet tooth but suffer from diabetes or want to lose weight. But you need to keep in mind that long-term consumption of this sweetener may have certain side-effects. Before including it into your diet, please consult with a health specialist.

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!