Strange reaction to stevia.

[Inca_faerie]

Hi guys.:)
Perhaps you can help me unravel a mystery. The other day I made myself a concoction with frozen blueberries, almond milk and some stevia. After a few bites I started to feel kind of dizzy. I got up and walked around and my legs felt numb and weak. I've tried this with and without stevia and I've had the same reaction twice with the stevia, any idea why this is? I've also just read that stevia can raise insulin levels, could that have something to do with it?

[Eva]

I have some stevia, but it sort of grosses me out (and NOTHING grosses me out except chemically stuff). I hate to get rid of it because it cost so much, but I think the powder's not raw anyways. I'd like to get to the bottom of that one.

Is it the leaves you used? And I'm not sure of the details, but it definitely does something with blood sugar, not sure if it produces insulin though. I hadn't read that.

In Portuguese, the name translates to "sweet herb," and my husband tells me many people in Brazil use it as a sweet tea.

I DO like the tea, doesn't make me grossed out.

[roseyonnex]

Is there any reason you don't use agave or honey?

[Raine]

Stevia is a natural plant that is from the rainforest. The plant's leaves are what is used for the sweetner. I did buy a stevia plant a few years ago and people are always amazed when they eat a leaf at how sweet it is.

Stevia is 30x sweeter than sugar but it is safe for diabetics because it regulates the blood sugar. Stevia can be used in liquids, baking, etc.

In the U.S., stevia is classified as a "food additive" and more than likely will never be listed as a sweetener because the sugar lobbyists are so powerful. However, in many Asian and South American countries, stevia is used as the primary sweetener in soft drinks rather than corn syrup like in the States.

My stevia of choice is SweetLeaf Stevia. Personally, I find the box of 100 packets to be the easiest way of measuring out portions and ability to carry it around when you are on the go.

I've introduced dozens of people to stevia - mostly because they are intrigued that I carry my own sweetener with me and not once have I ever heard of someone having the reaction you described.

My most profound experience with stevia happened 4 summers ago. I had to attend a motorcycle event in Ft Worth (ugh!), it was in the high 90's and there was NO water available. Even though I knew I would be kicking myself, I was so dehydrated that I ended up having three Dr. Peppers. By the time I rode the 40 miles home, I was beyond thirsty and feeling quite sick. I immediately came inside and drank a big iced tea sweetened with 1 pack of stevia. In 10 minutes, I felt completely normal with no sugar/corn syrup side effects.

I absolutely swear by stevia and I am so sorry to learn that you might have had an adverse reaction to it!

http://wmlandcorp.com/catalog/images/our%20stevia.gif

[Aleesha Sattva]

i've tried to research stevia today... and from what i can find... the liquid form is more natural... the crystal form is processed.

[Raine]

i've tried to research stevia today... and from what i can find... the liquid form is more natural... the crystal form is processed.

I learn something new every day so I'd be intrigued to read the research promoting one form of stevia over the other as I don't recall ever seeing this issue addressed in my readings. Will you share the sites that addressed this?

These two links have info but neither one promotes one form over the other nor could I find a site that did so on a search:


From a nutrition website discussing stevia forms (powder, liquid & tablets) (http://nutrition.suite101.com/article.cfm/selecting_stevia_products)



Another site with more detailed info on stevia. (http://www.stevia.com/SteviaArticle.asp?ID=8111)

[Aleesha Sattva]

i've read so many sites today that i'm not sure where i read it to be honest. i think it was on another forum though... and i know that on the FAQ page of the second link you provided it says that stevia is processed but doesn't say exactly how it is processed. it does say you can make your own and explains that processing but doesn't say how packaged white stevia is processed for sale in the marketplace.

but here's my thought process:

liquid stevia is more natural.
green stevia is second to the liquid.
white stevia would be processed and decolourized to make it white (kinda like white sugar) so wouldn't the white stevia be more processed and therefore not as good for you as the liquid form?

perhaps i'm wrong... and i'm totally cool with being wrong LOL - but it just makes sense to me that the liquid form would be the best choice.

hopefully someone with more info will chime in???

[Raine]

Aleesha -

The crude Stevia leaves and herbal powder (http://www.stevia.com/SteviaArticle.asp?ID=2269)(green) are reported to be 10-15 times sweeter than table sugar. The refined extracts of Stevia called steviosides (a white powder, 85-95% Steviosides) claim to be 200-300 times sweeter than table sugar.

Without being able to review the sources you are quoting regarding the liquid form, I don't have any opinion on whether the liquid is optimum to the powder.

The easiest way of getting stevia in the green herbal powder, is to grow and dry your own because it is very rarely available for purchase at a HFS - in fact, I don't recall ever seeing the green powder form available at a retailer. The white powder, liquids and tablets are readily available at places like Whole Foods and from online retailers.

By comparing the white stevia powder to white sugar has me at a complete loss for the simple fact that in reading about this herb for years from authors like the Bragg's, Harvey Diamond, Jethro Kloss, etc., I've never seen the white powder form compared to white sugar. Unless there is research to back up that claim, it seems a bit inflammatory towards the amazing benefits this herb has for one's health.

If you will please share the links where you are finding this information, I, for one, would really like to read it because it would be a facet that I've never seen brought to light.

[Aleesha Sattva]

raine, i said that it's my thought process... i can't find anywhere that shares the refining and processing of making stevia white crystals. hence why i don't trust it. if it was a simple process... a healthy process... one would think they would share it???

oh well... i'm cool with not using it as i haven't used it in the past... thanks for the chat.

[Bookish Lass]

I dried some stevia leaves in the dehydrator and crumbled them up...it didn't look like white powder when I was done. /shrug

[Raine]

raine, i said that it's my thought process... i can't find anywhere that shares the refining and processing of making stevia white crystals. hence why i don't trust it. if it was a simple process... a healthy process... one would think they would share it???

oh well... i'm cool with not using it as i haven't used it in the past... thanks for the chat.

Aleesha - as you mentioned in yesterday's postings, you only began researching stevia yesterday afternoon. To be able to research a product but not have any links to back up the claims in your postings and sum up your decision to not use an herbal product that has legions of enthusiasts in just a few hours is impressive indeed!

I always seem to need more time to research a topic, mentally digest it and then come to a decision. Sometimes, my research is merely for publication purposes so I keep a very neutral tone so that the reader can make their own decisions.

Please understand that I am not trying to be rude to you and sometimes text does not convey the essence in which something has been said.

[Raine]

I dried some stevia leaves in the dehydrator and crumbled them up...it didn't look like white powder when I was done. /shrug

Bookish - I've not done that as I don't own a dehydrator. How did it taste? I like to use the fresh leaves off my plant by mincing them up and garnishing fruit salads with them.

As a side note: Honeydew melon sage and Pineapple sage leaves are also great for this.

[Revvell]

Really unnecessary and rude.


Aleesha - as you mentioned in yesterday's postings, you only began researching stevia yesterday afternoon. To be able to research a product but not have any links to back up the claims in your postings and sum up your decision to not use an herbal product that has legions of enthusiasts in just a few hours is impressive indeed!



Please understand that I am not trying to be rude to you ..

Uh huh.

[Aleesha Sattva]

Raine,

I've never resonated with Stevia... my body says "no"... so IMO it doesn't take months of research to come to my decision. But you are free to do as you wish.

in light,
Aleesha

[Raine]

Really unnecessary and rude.

Uh huh.

Revvell - If I were the type to jump to assumptions, I would say you were being sarcastic to me.

I don't see how I was rude - I was actually quite impressed that someone could research and come to decisions that fast. If I could do that, I could get far more published pieces produced in a week.

[MOTH]

I might get a stevia plant and experiment with the leaves; but I probably would never process it more then that because I enjoy fresh foods in as whole a state as possible.

Where can you get a plant?

[Raine]

I might get a stevia plant and experiment with the leaves; but I probably would never process it more then that because I enjoy fresh foods in as whole a state as possible.

Where can you get a plant?

Hey Moth - missing you over at the CureZone site. How's everything going with the fasting?

I don't know where you are located but here are 2 sources for Stevia plants:

www.PapaGenos.com (http://www.PapaGenos.com) - Gene Gage owns this family herb farm in Nebraska. He's such a kewl guy and I adore him though our correspondence is always via online. Right now his site is saying they are sold out but the autumn shipping season is right around the corner so he may have some ready to go soon - email to find out.

In the Dallas area, Redenta's is an organic nursery and they often carry stevia.

It's a pretty easy to care for plant - let me know if you get one and what you think about it.

[Inca_faerie]

Thanks for the input guys:) ...guess I'm the only weirdo who's had a reaction to the stuff. I think I'll leave it alone for now and try it again at a later time...I still don't like the fact that it has an impact on insulin levels though. I used the liquid kind in case anyone wanted to know.

roseyonnex, the reason I didn't use agave or honey is because I'm not a fan of agave(the high fructose content bugs me) and at the time I only had buckwheat honey which has a really strong flavor that probably wouldnt have mixed to well with the blueberries.

[petaltothemetal]

I don't like the white powder, personally, because it looks and tastes unnatural. Like Aleesha says, it never resonated with me. I do like the green powder, which appears to be ground up leaves, but only in certain types of foods. It's good with limes, pineapple, ginger and other tropical flavors. Mostly I just don't use any sweetener at all other than what is in the fruit, but I've had life long blood sugar issues. Since the entire plant is green and the liquid is clear, I wonder how processed the liquid is, too, although I have never tried it.

[MOTH]

Hey Moth - missing you over at the CureZone site. How's everything going with the fasting?


Thanks I appreciated your advice on the water fast - I tend to only pop over at Curezone if I'm in the grip of a water fast. My fasting gave me what I needed for the time...but I soon found myself in a yoyo fasting mode where I would not eat for about four days and then load up on fruit, unable to control the breaking of the fast more gradually. I could feel my mind/body getting confused and I don't want that. So I thought it would be best for me to just focus on healthy eating for the time being and having my energy levels be consistant - especially since I just started an intense hot yoga class daily. I'm a fruitarian right now and loving it. :)

I am REALLY into plant teachers, so I will probably get a stevia plant eventually. Thanks for the links!

[Raine]

Great to hear Moth about where you are right now on your health journey.

If your body wants to delve back into a fast, as you know, it will talk to you. So much of fasting is just playing a mind game with yourself. Am I remembering correctly that you have a physically active job? If so, that can cause challenges, especially when your body is craving rest so it can heal and detox.

'til next time....

[MOTH]

Thanks! Yep, I lift heavy buckets of water all day, taking care of plants. Plus I have to bike to work and back...

But I can't wait for the opportunity to water fast again. Such a powerful learning experience it is. I was thinking I might save up some money and take a month off at some point for a longer fast, with a lot of rest.

[Raine]

But I can't wait for the opportunity to water fast again. Such a powerful learning experience it is. I was thinking I might save up some money and take a month off at some point for a longer fast, with a lot of rest.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a windfall of cash and be able to get away somewhere remote and relaxing to fast? I'm thinking lush beaches and nice tropical ocean waves.

[SekhemNefer]

I have some stevia, but it sort of grosses me out (and NOTHING grosses me out except chemically stuff). I hate to get rid of it because it cost so much, but I think the powder's not raw anyways. I'd like to get to the bottom of that one.

Is it the leaves you used? And I'm not sure of the details, but it definitely does something with blood sugar, not sure if it produces insulin though. I hadn't read that.

In Portuguese, the name translates to "sweet herb," and my husband tells me many people in Brazil use it as a sweet tea.

I DO like the tea, doesn't make me grossed out.


I hear ya sister. I bought Stevia a few months back because they didn't have organic raw agave at the store. That stuff taste nastier than Sweet N Low. And it cost me 6 or 8 dollars for the bottle. I am keeping it because it paid a lot of dough on it, but I am not using it.

[Eva]

Wouldn't it be nice to have a windfall of cash and be able to get away somewhere remote and relaxing to fast? I'm thinking lush beaches and nice tropical ocean waves.

If you're really looking for a beautiful, remote, lush place to fast... after the plane ticket, you really wouldn't need a windfall of cash! Our house in Brazil (while not right on the ocean) has fruit trees and is most definitely a slice of tropical paradise, but cost us a fraction of what an equivalent house anywhere in the USA would cost. Just a thought. ;)

Every time I get frustrated with work or the daily grind, I dream of just going out there, not having any bills, and teaching English in the next town over to make enough to cover my pineapples and whathaveyou!

[Eva]

Thanks for the input guys:) ...guess I'm the only weirdo who's had a reaction to the stuff. I think I'll leave it alone for now and try it again at a later time...I still don't like the fact that it has an impact on insulin levels though. I used the liquid kind in case anyone wanted to know.

roseyonnex, the reason I didn't use agave or honey is because I'm not a fan of agave(the high fructose content bugs me) and at the time I only had buckwheat honey which has a really strong flavor that probably wouldnt have mixed to well with the blueberries.

I wouldn't be surprised if I had a reaction to it by having more. My taste buds say no. I've tried sneaking it into all sorts of things, including a green smoothie, and something is just really off. I have the powder (like SekhemNefer). And I've accidentally bought the non-raw agave before (GROSS) and had Bragg's (GROSS). I'm immediately grossed out by things my body doesn't want.

I think there's no way to know what's raw and what's not (for sure) with all the shiny plastic packages and boxes full of "raw" items these days. I DO trust a couple companies, but who knows if what you tried is the same stuff Raine tried.

In any case... I'd toss the stuff! I'm tossing mine as long as I'm thinking about it now.

[Raine]

If you're really looking for a beautiful, remote, lush place to fast... after the plane ticket, you really wouldn't need a windfall of cash! Our house in Brazil (while not right on the ocean) has fruit trees and is most definitely a slice of tropical paradise, but cost us a fraction of what an equivalent house anywhere in the USA would cost. Just a thought. ;)

Every time I get frustrated with work or the daily grind, I dream of just going out there, not having any bills, and teaching English in the next town over to make enough to cover my pineapples and whathaveyou!

Sounds ideal Eva - I'm envious of you! A friend of mine recently returned from a yoga retreat in Costa Rica and absolutely raved about the experience - she sounded like a brand new person.

[coco]

i don't love the taste of stevia either but it is terrific in lemonade for some reason.
i would choose it over agave because i don't think that is really raw and it has to be shipped a long distance to me while i can easily grow stevia myself or purchase it from a local source.
i would choose it over honey because honey is not vegan (i am no longer the least little bit on the fence about this after some expereince with a local bee keeper who is considered better than most. still terrible IMO).

perhaps the reaction was to the combination and not one of the individual ingredients. i would try it again on it's own and possibly in more than one form before crossing it off the list for good.

and guys? please don't fight. it's so boring and disruptive. you can take it private message can't you? i mean, i like the discussion about references and sources and proof but the hurt feelings part could stay private.

[petaltothemetal]

Coco, what was your experience with the beekeeper? I used to raise bees in Va, thinking it was totally peaceful, but bees aren't as healthy as they used to be (pesticides, genetically engineered plants, viruses) and found I didn't feel right taking any honey. Nor did I feel right putting chemicals in their hives where they'd be locked up tight hibernating and forced to breathe it in all winter. When I moved to Oregon I gave up bees. Fortunately there are a lot more bees here for my garden.

[coco]

yes, chemicals and antibiotics etc etc etc. "neccessary" proceedures when keeping bees in captivity (and then there is that). other things that bothered me but it is a personal choice and many people who eat a mostly vegan diet include honey i know.

[Rawzula]

Stevia is too bitter, the taste reminds me of Splenda, Sweet n Low and Equal combined :eek:

I tried Stevia twice and I felt horrible, my stomache was hurting all day long.