Is stevia on the grocery store shelf really that good for you? Part 2
Part 2
So we got as far in Part 1 to the point where we looked at the extensive processing that goes into producing the stevia found on grocery store shelves. Let’s talk a little more about the final product…
How close the final product is to the natural plant from which it is extracted (the source) is a bit like saying that all humans are made of the stuff in the universe.
Interestingly, refined sugar goes through much less processing than stevia. Now don’t take that as a vote for sugar. It clearly isn’t, however we all need to be aware of the facts surrounding how things are changed in an exhaustive process to arrive at a standard that is attractive to most people.
Remember that whole living foods are what we should be consuming and such an extensive process to create a Stevia powder doesn’t quite fit the bill for me. I wonder how so-called “health experts” can claim that this lab product is actually good for you?
Now, remember that our bodies need whole, living foods, right? Most people have no idea about this, but to keep things simple, here is a clear scientific fact for everyone to take note of:
Our bodies are 70% bacteria and our skin and intestinal tissue have the same profile. So attached to every cell in our body are numerous bacteria and guess what, the food we eat is supposed to feed the bacteria! That, in simple terms, is what keeps our bodies healthy.
That is why we need fermented foods in our diet every day. In general, our intestine needs to have 2 kilos of bacteria. The average person has 0.5 kilo.
Hmmm, Houston, we have a problem!
Now, what does all this have to do with taking some Stevia powder, one may wonder.
Well, in 2014 a study from Latvia suggested that stevia might have a negative effect on probiotic bacteria. For those of you who have no idea what probiotic bacteria do, they keep the gut healthy. All disease begins in the intestine and unfortunately that is why we are such a sick country. Poor intestinal health, nothing more.
So probiotic bacteria improve intestinal flora, inhibit harmful bacteria, promote good digestion and boost immune function and increase resistance to infection.
Anyway, back to the study, they used six different strains of Lactobacillus reuteri (which are found naturally in the gut flora of humans) in the experiment. Now they discovered that both compounds in Stevia, stevioside and rebaudioside, inhibited the growth of ALL six strains tested. This is what they had to say about this finding:
The application of Stevia glycosides in food is increasing; however, there are no data on the influence of stevia glycosides on Lact. reuteri and very little data on the growth of other lactobacilli, either in probiotic foods or in the gastrointestinal tract. This research shows that it is necessary to evaluate the influence of stevia glycosides on other groups of microorganisms in future research.”
So the problem here is that we don’t hear many people talking about the digestion implications of stevia and the shapes of the molecules that might result after the breakdown of steviol glycosides by bacteria in the digestive tract.
Evidence may suggest that it could be mutagenic after being consumed and broken down in the body.
So while it can be considered completely safe to consume, we really don’t know much about what happens after that.
So stevia vs sugar?
While stevia may be better for diabetes and blood sugar, it doesn’t necessarily mean that certain sugars are worse in all cases.
Definitive human studies focusing on the conversion of steviol glycosides to steviol have not been performed. However, in rats, DNA breakage was found in the blood, spleen, brain cells, and liver.
So in terms of using stevia as a healthy alternative, well IMHO, following the raw, whole food principle, you’ll be much better off using a teaspoon of raw, unfiltered local honey. The taste will be amazing and much better for you.
Stevia in Kombucha?
Authentically brewed kombucha must use sugar to feed the microbes that produce the probiotics. It is the fuel source for these amazing little critters. So the sugar is for them, not you, and if the kombucha is brewed correctly, then there will be no problem for most people, as most of it will be consumed and turned into probiotics, producing a naturally carbonated drink at through the fermentation process. This is what makes Kombucha such an amazing drink.
In terms of adding stevia to kombucha, there is very limited, if any, research to show it has any health benefits, but it’s good marketing in “fad” times.
Keep it simple friends. Kombucha has been made and consumed as a medicinal drink throughout the centuries, helping to maintain good health among nations, so why should that change?
References
1. Wellness Mama: https://wellnessmama.com/1482/stevia-safe-or-healthy/
2. Body and Soul: https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/nutrition/nutrition-tips/sugar-versus-stevia-which-is-actually-better-for-you/news-story/923ea30c45f4f222bd7fc9404c13bddd