NutriDex

The Supplement Research Compendium
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Stevia (Steviol Glycosides)

E960 · Stevia rebaudiana

Plant-derived zero-calorie sweetener with a reassuring safety record at the ADI

Moderate evidence 🍬Sweeteners & Additives

✚ Updated · How we grade evidence

Evidence tier
Moderate
Research weight
Citations
12 verified / 12
Classification
Sweeteners & Additives
❝
What the evidence says. Several controlled trials; effects real but modest or context-dependent.

What is Stevia (Steviol Glycosides)?

Stevia (Steviol Glycosides) (E960 · Stevia rebaudiana) is a sweetener or food additive used for zero-calorie, high-intensity sweetness (~200-400x sucrose) for sugar reduction. NutriDex grades the human evidence as Moderate. Stevia (steviol glycosides, E960) is a high-intensity, non-nutritive sweetener extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (or produced by fermentation), 200-400 times sweeter than sucrose with negligible calories. It is authorized in the EU, holds GRAS status for high-purity glycosides in the US, and carries a JECFA/EFSA Acceptable Daily Intake of 4 mg/kg body weight/day (as steviol equivalents). The weight of human and toxicological evidence is reassuring: regulators consistently find it non-genotoxic and non-carcinogenic, and trials show it has little-to-no acute glycemic or insulin impact. However, the WHO 2023 guideline advises against non-sugar sweeteners generally for long-term weight control, and long-term cardiometabolic data specific to stevia remain limited.

Purported Benefits

✓Zero-calorie, high-intensity sweetness (~200-400x sucrose) for sugar reduction
✓Minimal-to-no acute postprandial glucose or insulin rise (steviol glycosides are not absorbed intact)
✓Non-glycemic — suitable for diabetic and low-carbohydrate diets
✓Heat- and pH-stable, so usable in baking and acidic beverages
✓Does not promote dental caries (non-fermentable by oral bacteria)
✓Plant-derived/'natural' origin, a key marketing and reformulation driver

Dosing & Compounds

Typical Dose
EU authorized food additive (E960). US: FDA accepts GRAS notices for high-purity (>=95%) steviol glycosides; whole-leaf/crude stevia extract is NOT FDA-approved as a food additive. JECFA established an ADI of 4 mg/kg body weight/day (as steviol equivalents) at its 69th meeting (2008) and reaffirmed it at the 82nd meeting (2016); EFSA set the same 4 mg/kg bw/day ADI in 2010. In its 2024 re-evaluation, EFSA reviewed proposals to raise the ADI to 6 or 16 mg/kg bw/day but concluded there was insufficient justification, retaining 4 mg/kg bw/day. The 4 mg/kg figure incorporates a 100-fold safety factor over the NOAEL from a 2-year rat carcinogenicity study.
Active Compounds
E-number E960 (steviol glycosides); newer fermentation-derived grades designated E960a-dCommon branded retail products: Truvia, PureVia, SweetLeaf, Stevia in the Raw, Splenda Naturals SteviaKey glycosides: stevioside, rebaudioside A (Reb A), and high-purity rebaudioside M (Reb M)Found in: diet/zero soft drinks, flavored waters, yogurts, tabletop sweeteners, protein bars, baked goods, and sugar-free confectioneryOften blended with erythritol, monk fruit, or other bulking agents in tabletop formulations

Safety & Cautions

Regulators (EFSA 2010, JECFA 2008/2016) consistently conclude high-purity steviol glycosides are non-genotoxic and non-carcinogenic; Reb A was negative across the Ames test, chromosomal aberration, and mouse lymphoma assays. Steviol glycosides are not absorbed intact — gut bacteria hydrolyze them to steviol, which is then conjugated and excreted, with no evidence of accumulation. Human gut-microbiome RCTs (4-week and 12-week) found no significant changes in microbiota diversity versus control. The main caveats are population-level, not stevia-specific: EFSA's 2024 assessment flagged that 95th-percentile exposure can approach or exceed the ADI in infants and toddlers under expanded uses, and the WHO 2023 guideline advises against non-sugar sweeteners (stevia included) for body-weight control or NCD prevention, citing possible associations with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality drawn largely from observational data (reverse causation likely). Long-term stevia-specific cardiometabolic trials are sparse. No established allergenicity concern for purified glycosides; people sensitive to Asteraceae plants are occasionally cautioned about crude leaf preparations. Educational only — always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining Stevia (Steviol Glycosides) with any medicine.

Key Studies ★ 12 studies

meta-analysis Thongmee et al. 2024 (J Nutr Sci) ✓ Source
Meta-analysis of stevia trials reported no significant effect on fasting blood glucose or HbA1c versus control.
regulatory EFSA 2024 (E 960a-d) ✓ Source
Reviewed proposals to raise the ADI to 6 or 16 mg/kg bw/day but found insufficient justification, retaining the 4 mg/kg bw/day ADI and flagging exposure near the ADI in infants/toddlers under expanded uses.
meta-analysis Ajami et al. 2020 (Nutrients) ✓ Full text
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 RCTs (n=462) found a significant systolic BP reduction (MD -6.32 mmHg) but non-significant effects on fasting glucose, HbA1c, BMI, and lipids.
guideline WHO 2023 NSS Guideline ✓ Source
Reviewed >280 studies and advised against non-sugar sweeteners (including stevia) for weight control, citing no long-term body-fat benefit and possible associations with type 2 diabetes, CVD, and mortality.
RCT Smeets 2026 ✓ PubMed
Randomised crossover trial of brain and physiological responses to flavoured waters made with different sweeteners.
RCT Nilsson 2026 ✓ PubMed
Effects of Short-Term (14-Day) Intake of Sucrose and Non-Caloric Sweeteners on Glucose Regulation, Blood Lipids, Gut Hormones, Inflammation Markers, and Appetite in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
regulatory JECFA 2008/2016 ✓ Source
Established and later reaffirmed an ADI of 4 mg/kg body weight/day for steviol glycosides (as steviol equivalents), based on a 2-year rat NOAEL with a 100-fold safety factor.
RCT Williams et al. 2024 (J Nutr) ✓ PubMed
4-week RCT in healthy adults comparing a daily steviol-glycoside beverage (25% ADI) with a 30 g sucrose beverage found no adverse impact on the gut microbiome.
RCT Williams et al. 2024 (Nutrients) ✓ Source
12-week consumption of stevia in healthy adults did not alter alpha or beta diversity or taxa abundance of the gut microbiota relative to controls.
regulatory EFSA ANS Panel 2010 ✓ Source
Concluded high-purity steviol glycosides meeting JECFA specifications are not genotoxic or carcinogenic and set an ADI of 4 mg/kg bw/day.
Review Scott 2026 ✓ PubMed
Narrative review of steviol glycosides as a sugar-reduction tool: metabolic, gut-microbiome, and weight-management effects in human studies.
Review Manoharan 2026 ✓ PubMed
Review of steviol glycosides (E960): technological innovations, safety assessment, and regulatory aspects.
12 sources cited · 12 verified Search all studies on PubMed ↗

Common questions about Stevia (Steviol Glycosides)

What is Stevia (Steviol Glycosides) used for?

Stevia (Steviol Glycosides) is most often taken for Zero-calorie, high-intensity sweetness (~200-400x sucrose) for sugar reduction, Minimal-to-no acute postprandial glucose or insulin rise (steviol glycosides are not absorbed intact), Non-glycemic — suitable for diabetic and low-carbohydrate diets, Heat- and pH-stable, so usable in baking and acidic beverages. Plant-derived zero-calorie sweetener with a reassuring safety record at the ADI

Does Stevia (Steviol Glycosides) work — what does the evidence say?

Moderate evidence. Several controlled trials; effects real but modest or context-dependent. Stevia (steviol glycosides, E960) is a high-intensity, non-nutritive sweetener extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (or produced by fermentation), 200-400 times sweeter than sucrose with negligible calories. It is authorized in the EU, holds GRAS status for high-purity glycosides in the US, and carries a JECFA/EFSA Acceptable Daily Intake of 4 mg/kg body weight/day (as steviol equivalents). The weight of human and toxicological evidence is reassuring: regulators consistently find it non-genotoxic and non-carcinogenic, and trials show it has little-to-no acute glycemic or insulin impact. However, the WHO 2023 guideline advises against non-sugar sweeteners generally for long-term weight control, and long-term cardiometabolic data specific to stevia remain limited.

What is the typical dose of Stevia (Steviol Glycosides)?

EU authorized food additive (E960). US: FDA accepts GRAS notices for high-purity (>=95%) steviol glycosides; whole-leaf/crude stevia extract is NOT FDA-approved as a food additive. JECFA established an ADI of 4 mg/kg body weight/day (as steviol equivalents) at its 69th meeting (2008) and reaffirmed it at the 82nd meeting (2016); EFSA set the same 4 mg/kg bw/day ADI in 2010. In its 2024 re-evaluation, EFSA reviewed proposals to raise the ADI to 6 or 16 mg/kg bw/day but concluded there was insufficient justification, retaining 4 mg/kg bw/day. The 4 mg/kg figure incorporates a 100-fold safety factor over the NOAEL from a 2-year rat carcinogenicity study.

Is Stevia (Steviol Glycosides) safe? Any cautions or side effects?

Regulators (EFSA 2010, JECFA 2008/2016) consistently conclude high-purity steviol glycosides are non-genotoxic and non-carcinogenic; Reb A was negative across the Ames test, chromosomal aberration, and mouse lymphoma assays. Steviol glycosides are not absorbed intact — gut bacteria hydrolyze them to steviol, which is then conjugated and excreted, with no evidence of accumulation. Human gut-microbiome RCTs (4-week and 12-week) found no significant changes in microbiota diversity versus control. The main caveats are population-level, not stevia-specific: EFSA's 2024 assessment flagged that 95th-percentile exposure can approach or exceed the ADI in infants and toddlers under expanded uses, and the WHO 2023 guideline advises against non-sugar sweeteners (stevia included) for body-weight control or NCD prevention, citing possible associations with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality drawn largely from observational data (reverse causation likely). Long-term stevia-specific cardiometabolic trials are sparse. No established allergenicity concern for purified glycosides; people sensitive to Asteraceae plants are occasionally cautioned about crude leaf preparations.

How many studies support Stevia (Steviol Glycosides)?

NutriDex cites 12 sources for Stevia (Steviol Glycosides), graded "Moderate".

Cite this page
APA

Peh, D. (2026). Stevia (Steviol Glycosides) (E960 · Stevia rebaudiana): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Evidence. NutriDex — The Supplement Research Compendium. Retrieved 16 Sept 2026, from https://nutridex.info/s/stevia

BibTeX
@misc{nutridex_stevia,
  author       = {Peh, Daryl},
  title        = {Stevia (Steviol Glycosides) (E960 · Stevia rebaudiana): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects \& Evidence},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {NutriDex --- The Supplement Research Compendium},
  url          = {https://nutridex.info/s/stevia},
  note         = {Reviewed by Dr Daryl Peh, MBBS Singapore, MMed FM. Accessed 2026-09-16}
}

For medical claims, citing the underlying primary studies linked above is preferred. NutriDex is an educational reference, not medical advice.

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