Stevia and insulin response

[trainr]

I know the literature says that stevia doesn't cause a significant rise in blood sugar or insulin response, but then again, I know that some people seem to respond differently to nutrasweet, caffeine and other things. Hence, my question.

Is there any evidence that people with nutrasweet or caffeine resistance (caffeine for those people causes an insulin response) might also have a problem when using stevia? Or any other reason why a person who is pre-diabetic should limit its use?

TIA

[Omlette]

I know the literature says that stevia doesn't cause a significant rise in blood sugar or insulin response, but then again, I know that some people seem to respond differently to caffeine and other things. Hence, my question.

Is there any evidence that people with caffeine resistance might also have a problem when using stevia? Or any other reason why a person who is pre-diabetic should limit its use?

TIA

I assume you mean insulin resistance.....

according to Dr. bernstein, stevia should be fine. He says that the stevia powder and liquid contain no sugar at all. The other powder sugar substitutes do contain sugar and is why they will affect blood glucose number and insulin.

[deirdra]

according to Dr. bernstein, stevia should be fine. He says that the stevia powder and liquid contain no sugar at all. The other powder sugar substitutes do contain sugar and is why they will affect blood glucose number and insulin.Actually, some brands of stevia DO contain maltodextrin (a sugar/filler), so check labels. They didn't when Bernstein wrote his book, but two of the four stevias I looked at in the healthfood store last week DID contain extra crap.

[trainr]

I assume you mean insulin resistance.....
Sorry, I was unclear.

I am one of those for whom the protein power program doesn't work -- unless I quit caffeine and nutrasweet.

I agree that based on the carb content stevia shouldn't cause an insulin response. The same could be said of nutrasweet, but I and others need to avoid it because we respond as if it were a carb.

I was wondering if all sweet-tasting things would cause an insulin response in me, since nutrasweet does (and, since I'm overly sensitive to what I ingest, like caffeine).

So, the question is really directed at the existence of any evidence that supports this assumption regarding stevia.

Since the Eades are pioneers in this area, this seemed like a good place to post the question.

I apologize for the confusion.

[Mitra]

I have seen people report that sweet tastes, such as splenda give them BG spikes. I don't specifically recollect it being mentioned in connection with stevia. If you have access to a BG monitor, the best way to find out would be to take some measurements. If you do, please let us know what you find.

Dr Mary Dan Eades did a blog a little while ago on various kinds of sweetener - you could address your question directly as a comment on that article (though I'm not sure if they're back from their European trip, so it might be a few days before you get a reply.

[laughingW]

Sorry, I was unclear.

I am one of those for whom the protein power program doesn't work -- unless I quit caffeine and nutrasweet.

I agree that based on the carb content stevia shouldn't cause an insulin response. The same could be said of nutrasweet, but I and others need to avoid it because we respond as if it were a carb.

I was wondering if all sweet-tasting things would cause an insulin response in me, since nutrasweet does (and, since I'm overly sensitive to what I ingest, like caffeine).

So, the question is really directed at the existence of any evidence that supports this assumption regarding stevia.

Since the Eides are pioneers in this area, this seemed like a good place to post the question.

I apologize for the confusion.
I have heard an alternative theory at DesMaisons' radiant recovery.

The "taste" of sweet evokes endorphins. this can activate dopamine, which in turn can activate adrenaline and the fight-flight.... in which case your liver shoots out some quick sugar so you can fight or flee.

This would go along with being sensitive to caffeine. Adrenaline hyper sensitive.

Schwarzbein also talks about the adrenaline issues but not specifically the connection with more intense sweets than occur in nature.

Have you had a high-adrenaline lifestyle, or using caffeine and artificial sweeteners as pick-me-ups? it can lead to this heightened reaction.

[trainr]

The "taste" of sweet evokes endorphins. this can activate dopamine, which in turn can activate adrenaline and the fight-flight.... in which case your liver shoots out some quick sugar so you can fight or flee.

This would go along with being sensitive to caffeine. Adrenaline hyper sensitive. Excellent information.

Thank you.

I'm definitely prone to fight-or-flight feelings, particularly with caffeine and nutrasweet.

What is "DesMaisons' radiant recovery?"

[Omlette]

Actually, some brands of stevia DO contain maltodextrin (a sugar/filler), so check labels. They didn't when Bernstein wrote his book, but two of the four stevias I looked at in the healthfood store last week DID contain extra crap.


I had just bought his book and he has just updated it. It says that the powder forms of most sweetners except stevia have added sugars. He also says to use the tablets or liquid form to avoid added sugars.

I use SteviaPlus (recommended by A.L.Gittleman). Just looked at the box - it is stevia plus FOS (Inulin Fiber), no additional sugars.

Sorry you are so sensitive to things. The adrenaline theory sounds good.

[laughingW]

Excellent information.

Thank you.

I'm definitely prone to fight-or-flight feelings, particularly with caffeine and nutrasweet.

What is "DesMaisons' radiant recovery?"
DesMaisons wrote "Potatoes not Prozac" which is about the biochemistry of "carb sensitivity" that leads to addiction. It's not about potatoes nor Prozac really, but yes it's about using whole, real food to heal the biochemistry underlying addiction. Many people who are food addicts end up living in permanent fight-or-flight (raising my own hand here) so that's why it comes up in that context.

google sugar sensitivity desmaisons for her web site. If you're interested in the brain chemicals there are online classes at her web site. Also there's a new edition of PnP coming out this fall but I don't know if the dopamine cascade theory - and remember it's just theory based on people's lived experience! - will be in there.