Stevia is a naturally derived sweetener that is becoming increasingly popular for its zero-calorie content. It is commonly used as an alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Stevia has been gaining popularity as a healthy alternative to sugar, and it has been widely marketed as safe for consumption by people of all ages. However, parents often wonder if it is safe to give stevia to their children. In this article, we will explore this question and provide a comprehensive guide to the use of stevia in children.

What is Stevia?

Stevia is a plant-based sweetener that is extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. The plant is native to South America, and its sweetening properties were first discovered by the indigenous people of Paraguay.

Stevia is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar, and it contains no calories. Thus, it is an ideal alternative to sugar for those who wish to reduce their calorie intake.

How Safe is Stevia?

Stevia is generally considered safe for consumption by most people. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved stevia as a food additive, and it is generally recognized as safe (GRAS).

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also declared stevia safe for use as a food additive. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the intake of steviol glycosides – the compounds found in stevia – is safe and poses no risk to human health.

Stevia has been used as a sweetener in various countries for many years, and no significant health issues related to stevia consumption have been reported.

In fact, some studies have even suggested that stevia may have several health benefits, such as reducing blood sugar levels and lowering blood pressure. These studies still need further extensive research to confirm these claims.

Is Stevia Safe for Children?

Stevia is safe for children, and it can be an ideal alternative to sugar. However, there are some concerns that parents should be aware of when giving stevia to their children.

These concerns are based mainly on the lack of studies on stevia’s long-term effects on children.

Children’s metabolism and physical development differ significantly from those of adults. Therefore, it is essential to understand how stevia affects children before giving it to them.

Only limited research on the long-term effects of stevia consumption by children is currently available. Most studies have centered on the effects of stevia on adults, and their conclusions cannot necessarily be extended to the pediatric population. Hence, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician before giving stevia to children.

Stevia as a Replacement for Sugar in Children’s Diet

Most children consume more sugar than they need daily. Research indicates that consuming too much sugar is detrimental to children’s health, leading to the risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.

Therefore, an excellent method to reduce sugar intake in children’s diets is by substituting sugar with alternatives like stevia.

Stevia may help children consume less sugar without compromising taste. Moreover, the long-term use of high amounts of sugar substitutes (like stevia) has not been established to be detrimental to health.

Available evidence suggests that stevia is safe for children and may even provide some overall health benefits.

How to Introduce Stevia to Children

The introduction of stevia to children’s diet must be done very cautiously. Children with a history of allergic reactions should not be given stevia before consulting a qualified pediatrician.

You should also avoid combining high amounts of stevia with salt as it might lead to electrolyte imbalance.

Parents must also be aware that products containing stevia can be high in other caloric sweeteners, such as corn syrup. Therefore, it is essential to read labels carefully when selecting products that contain stevia.

Additionally, parents should educate their children on the benefits of reducing sugar intake and substituting it with healthy alternatives like stevia.

Conclusion

Stevia is a safe and healthy alternative to sugar for most people, including children.

While there is little research on the long-term effects of stevia consumption by children, the available evidence suggests that stevia is safe for children and may even provide some health benefits. However, parents should consult with a pediatrician before giving stevia to their children. When introducing stevia to children’s diets, parents should do so cautiously and selectively choose products that are low in other high-energy sweeteners.