The FDA's Stance: Raw vs. Refined Stevia
The most significant distinction in understanding stevia's safety is the difference between its unprocessed, whole-leaf form and the highly purified extract used in commercial sweeteners. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given high-purity steviol glycosides—the sweet compounds extracted and refined from the leaves—a "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) status. This means that after a rigorous purification process, the refined product is deemed safe for human consumption in controlled amounts, including brand names like Truvia and PureVia.
In stark contrast, the FDA explicitly does not approve whole-leaf stevia or crude stevia extracts for food use. This regulatory decision is not based on proven harm but rather on a lack of sufficient toxicological data and safety research. The concern is that less-refined versions might contain other compounds with undetermined effects on the body, particularly the kidneys, reproductive system, and cardiovascular system. For this reason, buying raw stevia leaves and consuming them directly is a risky proposition from a safety and regulatory perspective.
Potential Health Concerns with Raw Stevia
For those who grow stevia at home, the temptation to eat the leaves directly or add them to food is common. However, multiple sources raise concerns about the safety of this practice.
Possible Side Effects Associated with Raw Stevia
- Kidney, Reproductive, and Cardiovascular Effects: Health organizations express concern that the raw, crude herb may have adverse effects on these vital systems. This is a primary reason for the FDA's cautious stance.
- Drug Interactions: Stevia may interact with certain medications, including those for diabetes and high blood pressure. Consuming whole stevia could potentially cause blood sugar or blood pressure to drop to unsafe levels.
- Digestive Issues: While often attributed to fillers like sugar alcohols in some commercial stevia blends, some individuals may experience gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating and nausea from stevia itself.
Traditional Use vs. Modern Safety Standards
For centuries, indigenous communities in South America have utilized raw stevia leaves to sweeten beverages and medicines. This traditional use is often cited by proponents of raw stevia as evidence of its safety. However, modern science operates under different standards. What is safe for occasional or traditional use within a specific cultural context may not be safe for widespread, regular consumption, especially without the benefit of extensive research. The concentration of active compounds can vary significantly between plants and batches, unlike the standardized dosages of purified extract. Relying solely on historical or traditional use does not provide sufficient assurance for modern food safety regulations.
What to Do with Your Raw Stevia Leaves
If you grow your own stevia, the safest and most common method for home use is to prepare a simple, steeped tea. This can involve adding a few fresh or dried leaves to hot water. While this is a traditional practice, regular, heavy consumption is still not advised due to the safety unknowns associated with the whole leaf. It is always best to consult a doctor before making it a regular part of your diet, particularly if you have any pre-existing health conditions or are pregnant.
How to Dry Stevia Leaves
- Harvest: Cut down branches just before flowering for maximum sweetness.
- Strip: Carefully remove the leaves and young growing tips from the woody stems.
- Dry: Hang the leaves in a warm, dry area with good air circulation until they are crispy. Alternatively, a dehydrator on low heat can be used.
- Store: Once dried, store the whole leaves or grind them into a powder using a coffee grinder or food processor. Keep in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.
Comparison: Raw Stevia Leaves vs. Refined Stevia Extract
| Feature | Raw Stevia Leaves | Refined Stevia Extract (Reb-A) |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Not approved for food additive use in the U.S.. | Granted Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status. |
| Processing Level | Unprocessed; simply dried and/or ground. | Highly purified; goes through multiple filtering and concentration steps. |
| Purity | Contains various natural compounds, including steviol glycosides. | Must contain at least 95% steviol glycosides. |
| Safety Research | Limited and inconclusive studies, raising several safety concerns. | Extensively studied and considered safe for consumption within the Acceptable Daily Intake. |
| Taste Profile | May have a bitter or licorice-like aftertaste. | Engineered to have a cleaner, less bitter aftertaste. |
Conclusion: Is it Safe to Eat Raw Stevia Leaves?
Based on the current scientific and regulatory understanding, the answer is no, it is not considered safe to eat raw stevia leaves, especially for regular consumption. While the refined, highly-purified stevia extracts found in commercial sweeteners are deemed safe by the FDA, the whole leaf lacks sufficient safety data and carries potential health concerns for major organ systems. For individuals who use homegrown stevia, preparing it as a steeped tea is the most common practice, but moderation is advised, particularly for pregnant women and those with health conditions. The safest choice for sweetening food and beverages is to use FDA-approved, high-purity stevia leaf extracts.
Get the official facts from the FDA
For more information on the FDA's stance on stevia and other sweeteners, you can visit their official resources on food additives and GRAS status. U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is raw stevia considered safe by the FDA?
No, the FDA has not approved whole stevia leaves or crude extracts for food use due to insufficient safety data.
What are steviol glycosides?
These are the highly-purified sweetening compounds extracted from the stevia plant that have received 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS) status from the FDA.
Can I use homegrown stevia leaves?
You can use them for personal purposes like brewing tea, but due to a lack of research on long-term effects, it's best to consult a healthcare provider for regular use.
What are the side effects of consuming crude stevia leaves?
Reported side effects include bloating, nausea, and dizziness, and there are concerns about potential harm to the kidneys, reproductive, and cardiovascular systems.
Is stevia safe during pregnancy?
While purified stevia extracts (Reb-A) are considered safe in moderation, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid whole-leaf stevia and crude extracts due to a lack of safety evidence.
How is refined stevia different from raw stevia?
Refined stevia is a highly-purified extract (95%+ steviol glycosides) considered safe by the FDA, while raw stevia is the unprocessed whole leaf and lacks FDA approval.
Does raw stevia interact with any medications?
Yes, raw stevia may interact with medications for conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, potentially causing blood sugar or blood pressure levels to drop too low.
Why is raw stevia not as sweet as refined stevia extract?
Refined stevia extract isolates and concentrates the sweetest compounds, like Rebaudioside A, resulting in a much more potent sweetness than the whole leaf, which contains a broader mix of compounds.
Can consuming raw stevia leaves harm my kidneys?
Health authorities have expressed concern that the raw stevia herb may potentially harm the kidneys, and this is one of the reasons the FDA has not approved it for food use.
Is the bitterness in stevia worse with raw leaves?
Yes, the refining process for commercial stevia extracts is designed to remove the bitter aftertaste. Raw or crude extracts contain higher levels of compounds like stevioside, which contribute to a more prominent bitter or licorice-like flavor.
