Powerpoint template for scientific posters (Swarthmore College)

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Stevia The Herb Sweeter Than Sugar Samantha
FlorianConcordia College
In April of 2008 a table of
internationally recognized experts confirmed that
Reb A meets the Generally Recognized as Safe
(GRAS) criteria with the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has established. The report
was submitted to the US FDA in May of 2008 for
review and the review will be coming out in the
next few months. Purevia a Pepsico brand of
Stevia sweeteners as express the acceptable daily
intake of 12mg/kg bw/day to be safe. Which equals
thirty Packets of Purevia for a person weighing
150lb (Purevia website ) The estimated daily
intake of Reb A if oncsumed in large amounts for
uses including tabletop sweeteners, sweetened
ready-to-drink ice teas, diet carbonated soft
drinks, fruit juice drinks, energy drinks,
falvored waters, cereal bars, oatmeal, and
sweetened cold cereals bars is approximately 2
mg/ kg bw/ day.
Introduction Originally from South America, the
popularity of Stevias properties and health
benefits has spurred its growth and cultivation
around the world. Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a
plant related to the chrysthanemum family, whose
leaves contain natural sweetners called
glycosides and steviosides. One glycoside that is
of particular interest is Rebaudioside A or Reb
A it is thought to have particularily important
health benefits. It is currently able to be sold
as a supplement in the US, but is seeking FDA
approval in the up coming months.
Health Benefits of Stevia Rebaudioside A is 2500
times sweeter than sugar so it is of interest for
Diabetes II patients. Studies have reported
hypoglycemic and hypotensive effect of stevioside
and Stevia extracts. Some short trialed studies
have shown a decrese in hypterension in Diabetes
II patients, but a sixteen week study did not
affect glucose homeostasis or resting blood
pressure in men and women with type 2 diabetes
mellitus (KC Maki et al./ Food and Chemical
Toxicology 46 2008 S47-S53). Another study
done in December of 1998 showed a decrease in
blood pressure for non diabetic persons and no
change for those with type two diabetes.
Conclusions The leaves of Stevia plants contain
steviosides and glucosides that are natural
sweetners. Products by Pepsico and Coca-Cola
offer a low calorie alternative to table sugar.
Some studies have shown that it may lower blood
pressure in non diabetic patients. Also, other
studies demonstrate that Stevia when used as a
sweetener is not carcinogenic and does not cause
abnormalities in reproductive organs. It does,
however, show that the DNA can be broken but the
steviosides, which may have adverse affects. The
studies that have been done are only on rats and
Stevia has been described as to have multiple
personas and have different affects in different
organism. The FDA is currently review different
proposals to get it approved for sale other than
a supplement.
Another concern is that it may have different
affects in different organisms. Tests have only
been done on rats, so it is suggest that looking
for FDA approval may come fast in testing in mice
as well.
Nutritional Information
(b)
(a)
Background Originally from South America, the
popularity of Stevias properties and health
benefits has spurred its growth and cultivation
around the world. In recent years, Stevia has
been cultivated and used in raw leaf form as well
as processed commercially into sweeteners. The
Guarani people of Paraguay and Brazil were the
first to use this herbal sweetener, but today you
kind find it growing in countries such as China,
Argentina, India, and South Korea as well. Growth
of Stevia requires intense manual labor as well
as sunlight and precipitation. It is harvested
three to four times a year. The stems of the
plant are cut and the leaves are then dried in
the sun or in hot air dryers before Reb A is
extracted.
Fig. 2(a) mean of fasting glucose concentrations
(mg/dl) at baseline over 16 weeks of treatment
placebo vs stevioside (K.C.Maki et al/ Food and
Chemical Toxicology 45 2008 S47-S53. (b) The
serial changes in systolic and diastolic blood
pressure in patients receiving stevioside 250mg
three times a day or placebo for 12 months.
References Chan, Paul Tomlinson, Brian Yi-Jen
Chen Ju-Chi Liu Ming-Hsiung Hsiegh Juei-Tang
Cheng. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology,
A double-blind pacebo-controlled study of the
effectiveness and tolerability of oral stevioside
in human hypertension, Sep2000, Vol. 50 Issue 3,
p215 Maki, K.C. Curry, L.L. Reeves, M.S. Toth,
P.D. McKenny, J.M. Farmer, M.V. Schwartz,
S.L. Lubin, B.C. Boileau, A.C. Dicklin, M.R.
Carakostas, M.C. Tarka, S.M. British Journal of
Food and Chemical Toxicology, Chronic Consumption
of Rebaudioside A, a steviol glycoside, in men
and women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 2008
Vol. 46 p47-53 Carakostas, M.C. Curry, L.L
Boileau, A.C. Brusick, D.J Journal of Food and
Chemical Toxicology Overview The history,
technical function and safety of rebaudioside A,
a naturally occurring steviol glycoside, for use
in food and beverages, 2008, vol 46 p 1-10
Health Concerns Three main concerns with Stevia
have been genotoxicity, carcinogenicity and
reproduction and developmental safety. In 2005, a
report from JECFA concluded that stevioside and
rebaudioside A have not shown evidence of
genotoxicity in vitro or in vivo (M.C. Carakostas
et al. / Food and Chemical Toxicology 46 2008
S1-S10). A thirty-six week study of rats done on
the urinary bladder concluded that stevioside did
not enhance the development of preneoplastic or
neoplastic lesions. Other investigations done by
Oliveria-Filho concluded that crude or
semi-purified stevia extracts show no reduced
weight of one or more male reproductive organs.
One thing these studies do say is that the
genetic material in cells does break open
sometimes but does not have adverse affects on
the cells to cause cancer.
Nutrition Facts Nutrition Facts Nutrition Facts
Serving size 1 stick (2 g) Serving size 1 stick (2 g) Serving size 1 stick (2 g)
Not a significant source of calories from fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron. Not a significant source of calories from fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron. Not a significant source of calories from fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
  Per serving Daily Value
Calories 0
Total Fat 0g 0
Sodium 0mg 0
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1
Sugars lt1g
Erythitol 1g
Protein 0g
Fig. 1. Chemical structure of Reb
A www..image_stevia.com

www.purevia.com