Is it safe to eat stevia?

A. Stevia has been touted as a "natural" sweetener and an alternative to sugar, but is it safe for us to consume? ... Reb A is 200 times sweeter than sugar and does not raise blood sugar. Until December 2008, stevia and its derivatives could be sold in the U.S. only as dietary supplements, due to safety concerns. read more

One of the main concerns about stevia safety is that it affects fertility. There is information floating around the internet that there are studies showing that stevia caused infertility in rats, and there's also talk that stevia has been used in Paraguay for contraception. read more

Bottom Line: The FDA considers Reb A a safe sugar substitute, but has not approved other forms of stevia. If you want to use stevia, we suggest sticking with Reb A (look for it on the ingredient label). read more