Effect of Stevia on Glycemic and Insulin Responses in Obese Patients—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study.

Abstract
Background: Stevia is natural nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) that is considered to be metabolic inert in contrast with artificial NNS, especially sucralose, which cause glucose intolerant in obese patients. However, acute effect of stevia ingestion on glycemic and insulin responses in obese patients are not clearly established.

Objectives: To assess acute effect of stevia on glycemic and insulin responses in obese patients.

Material and Methods: Obese patients underwent a 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) preceded by consuming pills containing either 200 mg stevia or placebo for 60 minutes before test on two separate occasions, 1 week apart, in a randomized crossover design. Blood samples were obtained for glucose and insulin at 0,30,60,90 and 120 minutes. Area under the curve (AUC) of glucose and insulin responses were calculated. Indices for insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index) and Insulin secretion (Insulinogenic index) were calculated using minimal models of glucose and insulin kinetics.

Results: Twenty obese patients (BMI 28.75±3.68 kg/m2) were recruited to the study. There were no significant differences in AUC of glucose and insulin between stevia and placebo (glucose, 15,285±4,531 vs. 15,101 ±3,955, p=0.89 and insulin 8,507 ±5,858 vs. 7,652 ± 5,020,p=0.62) Insulin sensitivity derived from OGTT using Matsuda index was not significant difference between stevia and placebo (4.74±1.86 vs. 5.84±2.96,p=0.09). Insulin secretion using Insulinogenic index was not significant difference between stevia and placebo (p=0.155).

Conclusions: Stevia does not affect in acute glycemic and insulin responses to OGTT in obese patients. This findings need to be determined in longer duration of ingestion study.

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