Stevia’s Contraceptive Effects Stevia’s traditional and folkloric use among the indigenous populations of South America is not as a sweetener, but as a contraceptive (sources here, here and here.). So stevia’s reimagining as a noncaloric sweetener for natural foods enthusiasts is relatively recent. And there’s some evidence that stevia, does, indeed, have at least a some effect on fertility, especially when taken (you guessed it) in huge amounts, frequently. Is that a recommendation to avoid it? Nope, it’s just something you should know. Studies examining the role of stevia on fertility, looked at rats and found that large daily doses of stevia given to female rats resulted in severe and long-lasting reduction in fertility (read it here and here) and it had similar effects on male rats (read it here). Then again, other studies found that male rats weren’t affected (read it here) and neither were hamsters (read it here). Of course, proponents of stevia are quick do downplay any hint of stevia’s contraceptive effects (choice confirmation bias, anyone?)
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 11:39:16 +0000
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