Stevia and Gut Health: Unveiled by Recent Clinical Study
A groundbreaking clinical study, recently published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition has uncovered promising findings that shed new light on the potential benefits of stevia. This study highlights the potential benefits of certain sweeteners, including stevia, on gut health without causing any negative impacts. We’ve interviewed Plant Path’s Manager of Food and Nutrition Sciences, Keagan Ringling to gain further insights.
“More and more, we’re seeing high quality studies providing further evidence for the benefits of stevia as a natural sweetener, this is just another addition to provide more findings.”
Ringling shared that within this study while many sweeteners showed no impact on gut microbiota, stevia stood out for its beneficial effects. Contrary to previous beliefs, stevia was found to increase health-supporting bacteria and produce short-chain fatty acids, which are crucial for optimal gut health. These findings not only challenge prior assumptions about the negative effects of sweeteners but also indicate a positive relationship between the use of stevia and gut health.
“It’s been exciting to witness the nutrition science community embarking on the development of comprehensive evidence that showcases the impacts of stevia on the gut microbiome, a highly appealing aspect for consumers.”
Challenging Previous Beliefs and Looking Ahead
This particular study’s results challenge the notion that all sweeteners, including popular choices like sucralose, could have detrimental effects on gut health. Instead, they suggest that certain sweeteners may be beneficial and contribute to a healthier gut environment.
While the current study primarily focused on stevia and a few other sweeteners, Tate & Lyle recognizes the need for further research. They emphasize the importance of studying the potential health benefits of individual sweeteners beyond just sugar and calorie reduction. Future clinical trials will assess additional sweeteners like allulose and erythritol, aiming to gather more insights that can inform dietary recommendations and enhance overall health outcomes. Ringling concluded that this ongoing research marks a significant step forward in our understanding of sweeteners and their impact on gut health.
“At Plant Path, we’re committed to improving stevia as a scalable, agriculture-based alternative to sugar. No matter if you’re working in genetics, food science, or nutrition, it’s an exciting time for stevia science”
Read more about Keagan Ringling on our team page
Read additional peer-reviewed publications:
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/2/296
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38408729
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09637486.2023.2240037