Natural sweetener Stevia rebaudiana: Functionalities, health benefits and potential risks (original) (raw)

Functionalities, health benefits and potential risks

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2021-4211

Keywords:

Stevia rebaudiana, stevioside, rebaudioside A, sweetener, health benefits

Abstract

Stevia rebaudiana is a South American plant, the cultivation of which is increasing worldwide due to its high content of sweet compounds. Stevia sweetness is mainly due to steviol glycosides, that are ~250-300 times sweeter than sucrose. Many studies have suggested the benefits of Stevia extract over sugar and artificial sweeteners, but it is still not a very popular sugar substitute. This review summarizes current data on the biological activities of S. rebaudiana extract and its individual glycosides, including anti-hypertensive, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects and improvement of kidney function. Possible side effects and toxicity of Stevia extract are also discussed.

How to Cite

Peteliuk, V., Rybchuk, L., Bayliak, M., Storey, K. B., & Lushchak, O. (2021). Natural sweetener Stevia rebaudiana: Functionalities, health benefits and potential risks. EXCLI Journal, 20, 1412–1430. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2021-4211

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Review articles

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Copyright (c) 2021 Victoria Peteliuk, Lesia Rybchuk, Maria Bayliak, Kenneth B. Storey, Oleh Lushchak

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