What are the side effects of eating too much stevia?

January 9, 2026 •

2 min read

According to the World Health Organization, the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for steviol glycosides is up to 4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Consuming significantly more than this, or using less purified forms, could lead to potential side effects that vary by individual and product type.

Quick Summary

Excessive stevia intake can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating and nausea, potentially disrupt gut bacteria, and interact with certain medications.

Key Points

Digestive Issues: Excessive stevia can cause bloating, gas, nausea, or diarrhea, often due to added sugar alcohols like erythritol.
Altered Gut Bacteria: Some studies suggest that high stevia intake might disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut, contributing to digestive problems.
Blood Pressure Drop: Stevia can lower blood pressure, which may be a risk for individuals with low blood pressure or those on specific medications.
Drug Interactions: Stevia can interact with medications for diabetes and high blood pressure, potentially causing blood sugar or blood pressure levels to drop too low.
Risks from Unpurified Forms: Unapproved raw stevia leaves and crude extracts carry greater potential health risks than FDA-approved highly purified stevia extract.
Allergic Reactions: Though rare, some people with sensitivities to plants in the ragweed family may experience allergic reactions to stevia.

The use of stevia as a sugar substitute is popular due to its zero-calorie nature, but consuming too much can lead to adverse effects. The side effects largely depend on the form of stevia and the amount consumed. Highly purified steviol glycosides are considered safe by the FDA in moderation, while unpurified extracts are not approved. Side effects from purified stevia are minimal when consumed within acceptable limits, but risks increase with overconsumption or when products contain additional ingredients.

Digestive Problems from Stevia Overload

Digestive distress is a common issue with high stevia intake, often linked to sugar alcohols like erythritol and xylitol used as fillers in many products.

Bloating and Gas: Sugar alcohols are fermented by gut bacteria, producing gas.
Nausea and Diarrhea: High intake of sugar alcohols can cause a laxative effect.

Additionally, some research suggests purified stevia might alter the gut microbiome, potentially contributing to discomfort, though more human studies are needed.

Cardiovascular and Endocrine System Concerns

Preliminary studies suggest potential effects of high stevia intake on blood pressure and hormone levels.

Potential Drug Interactions

Hypotension: Stevia may lower blood pressure. Excessive consumption could cause issues for those with low blood pressure or on blood pressure medication.
Hypoglycemia: While pure stevia has minimal impact on blood sugar, fillers like dextrose can. Stevia's mild blood-sugar-lowering effect could also interact with diabetes medication.

Possible Endocrine Disruption

Concerns exist due to the structural similarity of steviol glycosides to steroid hormones, though human evidence of endocrine disruption from stevia is currently lacking.

Allergic Reactions and Other Side Effects

Allergic reactions are rare but possible, particularly for those sensitive to plants like ragweed. Symptoms can include rashes. Less common side effects include dizziness and numbness. Some research suggests a potential link between erythritol, a common additive, and increased risk of heart issues, but more study is needed.

Comparison: Types of Stevia and Additives

Understanding the different forms of stevia and accompanying additives is crucial. Only highly purified steviol glycosides have FDA GRAS status.


Feature	Highly Purified Steviol Glycosides (e.g., Reb A)	Crude Stevia Extracts & Raw Leaves	Stevia Products with Additives
FDA Approval Status	Yes (GRAS)	No, insufficient safety data	Varies based on additives
Purity Level	>95% pure	Lower, unrefined	Varies, can be high-purity stevia with other ingredients
Common Side Effects	Minimal in moderation	Not well-documented, potentially higher risk	Digestive issues (bloating, gas, diarrhea)
Associated Risks	Possible drug interactions with very high intake	Concerns for kidney, cardiovascular, reproductive health	Increased blood sugar (dextrose/maltodextrin); possible cardiac risk (erythritol)

Conclusion

While purified stevia is generally safe in moderation, excessive intake can lead to side effects, mainly digestive issues and potential drug interactions. These effects are often exacerbated by other ingredients like sugar alcohols in many products. Reading labels and staying within the ADI is important. Individuals with conditions like diabetes or low blood pressure should consult a healthcare provider. For official information, refer to the FDA's stance on food additives.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it's difficult to consume a toxic amount of purified stevia, consuming significantly more than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) could lead to adverse side effects like digestive upset.

Yes, some stevia products contain added sugar alcohols like erythritol, which are known to cause bloating, gas, and stomach cramping in sensitive individuals when consumed in large quantities.

There is some preliminary research suggesting that high intake of stevia might disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, but human studies are not yet conclusive.

Yes, stevia may have a blood pressure-lowering effect. People with low blood pressure or those taking related medication should monitor their intake and consult a doctor.

Yes, highly purified steviol glycosides are generally recognized as safe, while crude stevia extracts and raw leaves are not approved by the FDA and carry greater risk.

Although rare, allergic reactions are possible, especially for people sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family, which includes ragweed.

Pure stevia extract does not raise blood sugar. However, some products contain fillers like dextrose that can. Diabetics should read labels carefully and consult a doctor, as stevia can also interact with blood-sugar-lowering medications.

The acceptable daily intake (ADI) for steviol glycosides is set at 4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day.