Acute Stevia Consumption Does Not Alter Endocrine Responses in Individuals with Normal Weight, Overweight, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND

Stevia is a plant-based nonnutritive sweetener. Acute effects of stevia ingestion on glycemia and hormonal responses have not been fully investigated.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of beverages containing stevia alone and in combination with glucose on glycemic, hormonal, and appetite responses.

METHODS

This study evaluated 3 cohorts of n = 23 individuals with either normal weight, overweight, or type 2 diabetes mellitus, for which each individual completed 4 test conditions in a randomly assigned sequence crossover study design. The 4 test conditions were beverages containing stevia (75.6 mg steviol equivalents), water, glucose (30 g), and stevia + glucose (30 g glucose + 75.6 mg steviol equivalents). Blood samples were collected before and for 180 min after beverage consumption. Assessments included net area under the curve and incremental maximal concentration values for plasma glucose, insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, glucagon-like peptide-1, glucagon, and peptide YY. Appetite was assessed with Visual Analog Scale questions and energy consumption during an ad libitum meal.

RESULTS

Responses to the stevia beverage did not differ significantly from those for water alone, and stevia + glucose did not differ significantly from glucose alone for any of the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute stevia consumption did not materially alter responses for glycemia or hormones involved in glucose and appetite regulation, appetite ratings, or energy intake at a subsequent meal. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05287906.