Steviol Glucuronide as Excretion Product of Stevioside in Human Volunteers: Lack of Carcinogenic Properties of Steviol Glycosides and Steviol

Abstract

Absorption studies with Caco-2 cell monolayers revealed that steviol glycosides are barely absorbed by the intestines. Metabolism studies in healthy volunteers have shown that stevioside is completely degraded by bacteria of the colon into steviol and that part of this steviol is absorbed and glucuronated in the liver. The glucuronide is released in the blood and filtered by the kidneys into the urine. No accumulation of steviol glycosides or derivatives has been observed. As mutagenic effects of steviol were described, a thorough literature study has been made to evaluate possible risks when using steviol glycosides as a sweetener. The conclusion is that there are no indications that steviol glycosides used as a sweetener are not safe.

Radical scavenging activity of steviol glycosides, steviol glucuronide, hydroxytyrosol, metformin, aspirin and leaf extract of Stevia rebaudiana

“…A selection of the beneficial effects are: lowering of blood pressure in case of hypertension, without effect on persons with normal or hypotension; lowering of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes, without effects on basal glucose levels; enhancement or decrease of insulin secretion depending on the stage, enhancement of insulin sensitivity, effects on blood glucose in a glucose concentration dependent manner, reduction of inflammation, reduction of skin cancers and prevention of atherosclerosis. 11,22,38 The ROS can damage proteins and lipids as well as the mitochondrial DNA. Mutations of mitochondrial DNA can lead to changes in the respiratory chain, which leads to a reduction of its efficiency and thus the production of still more ROS, creating a vicious circle leading to apoptosis of cells, e.g., in specific brain regions, skeletal muscles, optic nerve and liver.…”