stevia, balanced factual detailed review in Wikipedia: Murray 2007.05.19

stevia, balanced factual detailed review in Wikipedia: Murray
2007.05.19
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1430

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia

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Stevia

Stevia (also called sweetleaf, sweet leaf or sugarleaf) is a genus of
about 150 species of herbs and shrubs in the sunflower family
(Asteraceae), native to subtropical and tropical South America and
Central America.

As a sweetener, stevia's taste has a slower onset and longer duration
than that of sugar, although some of its extracts may have a bitter or
liquorice-like aftertaste at high concentrations.

With its extracts having up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar,
stevia has garnered attention with the rise in demand for low-
carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternatives.

Stevia also has shown promise in medical research for treating such
conditions as obesity[1] and high blood pressure.[2][3]

Stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose, even enhancing
glucose tolerance,[4] therefore it is attractive as a natural
sweetener to diabetics and others on carbohydrate-controlled diets.
[5]

However, health and political controversies have limited stevia's
availablility in many countries; for example, the United States banned
it in the early 1990s.

Stevia is widely used as a sweetener in Japan, and it is now available
in the US and Canada as a dietary supplement, although not as a food
additive.

Contents

* 1 History and use
o 1.1 Availability
* 2 Controversies
o 2.1 Health controversy
o 2.2 Political controversy
* 3 Names in other countries
* 4 See also
* 5 Notes and references
* 6 Further reading
* 7 External links

[edit] History and use

For centuries, the GuaranÃ* tribes of Paraguay and Brazil used Stevia
species, primarily S. rebaudiana which they called ka'a he'ê ("sweet
herb"), as a sweetener in yerba mate and medicinal teas for treating
heartburn and other ailments.

In 1931, two French chemists isolated the glycosides that give stevia
its sweet taste.[6]

These compounds were named stevioside and rebaudioside, and are 250–
300 times sweeter than sucrose (ordinary table sugar), heat stable, pH
stable, and non-fermentable.[7]

In the early 1970s, Japan began cultivating stevia as an alternative
to artificial sweeteners such as cyclamate and saccharin, suspected
carcinogens.

The plant's leaves, the aqueous extract of the leaves, and purified
steviosides are used as sweeteners

Stevia sweeteners have been produced commercially in Japan since 1977
and are widely used in food products, soft drinks (including Coca
Cola),[8] and for table use.

Japan currently consumes more stevia than any other country; it
accounts for 40% of the sweetener market.[9]

Today, stevia is cultivated and used in food elsewhere in east Asia,
including in China (since 1984), Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and
Malaysia.

It can also be found in Saint Kitts and Nevis, in part of South
America (Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) and in Israel.

China is the world's largest exporter of stevioside.[9]

Stevia species are found in the wild in semi-arid habitats ranging
from grassland to mountain terrain.

Stevia does produce seeds, but only a small percentage of them
germinate.

Planting cloned stevia is a more effective method of reproduction.

[edit] Availability

Stevia has been grown on an experimental basis in Ontario since 1987
for the purpose of determining the feasibility of growing the crop
commercially.

In the United States, it is legal to import, grow, sell, and consume
stevia products if contained within or labeled for use as a dietary
supplement, but not as a food additive.

Stevia has also been approved as a dietary supplement in Australia and
Canada. In Japan and South American countries, stevia may also be used
as a food additive.

Stevia is currently banned for use in food in the European Union[10]

It is also banned in Singapore and Hong Kong.[11]

[edit] Controversies

Steviol is the basic building block of stevia's sweet glycosides:
Stevioside and rebaudioside A are constructed by replacing the bottom
hydrogen atom with glucose and the top hydrogen atom with two or three
linked glucose groups, respectively.

[edit] Health controversy

A 1985 study reported that steviol, a breakdown product from
stevioside and rebaudioside (two of the sweet steviol glycosides in
the stevia leaf) is a mutagen in the presence of a liver extract of
pre-treated rats[12] -- but this finding has been criticized on
procedural grounds that the data were mishandled in such a way that
even distilled water would appear mutagenic.[13]

More recent animal tests have shown mixed results in terms of
toxicology and adverse effects of stevia extract, with some tests
finding steviol to be a weak mutagen[14] while newer studies find no
safety issues.[15][16]

Although more recent studies appear to establish the safety of stevia,
government agencies have expressed concerns over toxicity, citing a
lack of sufficient conclusive research.[17][18]

Whole foods proponents draw a distinction between consuming (and
safety testing) only parts, such as stevia extracts and isolated
compounds like stevioside, versus the whole herb.

In his book Healing With Whole Foods, Paul Pitchford cautions, "Obtain
only the green or brown [whole] stevia extracts or powders; avoid the
clear extracts and white powders, which, highly refined and lacking
essential phyto-nutrients, cause imbalance".[19]

However, this statement is not backed by published scientific
evidence, other than the general findings about refined foods being
less beneficial.

In 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) performed a thorough
evaluation of recent experimental studies of stevioside and steviols
conducted on animals and humans, and concluded that "stevioside and
rebaudioside A are not genotoxic in vitro or in vivo and that the
genotoxicity of steviol and some of its oxidative derivatives in vitro
is not expressed in vivo."[20]

The report also found no evidence of carcinogenic activity.

Furthermore, the report noted that "stevioside has shown some evidence
of pharmacological effects in patients with hypertension or with
type-2 diabetes"[20] but concluded that further study was required to
determine proper dosage.

Indeed, millions of Japanese people have been using stevia for over
thirty years with no reported or known harmful effects.[21]

Similarly, stevia leaves have been used for centuries in South America
spanning multiple generations in ethnomedical tradition as a treatment
of type II diabetes.[22]

[edit] Political controversy

Stevia may be grown legally.

In 1991, at the request of an anonymous complaint, the United States
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeled stevia as an "unsafe food
additive" and restricted its import.

The FDA's stated reason was "toxicological information on stevia is
inadequate to demonstrate its safety."[23]

This ruling was controversial, as stevia proponents pointed out that
this designation violates the FDA's own guidelines, under which any
natural substance used prior to 1958 with no reported adverse effects
should be generally recognized as safe (GRAS).

Stevia occurs naturally, requiring no patent to produce it.

As a consequence, since the import ban in 1991, marketers and
consumers of stevia have shared a belief that the FDA acted in
response to industry pressure.[24]

Arizona congressman Jon Kyl, for example, called the FDA action
against stevia "a restraint of trade to benefit the artificial
sweetener industry."[25]

Citing privacy issues, the FDA has not revealed the source of the
original complaint in its responses to requests filed under the
Freedom of Information Act.[24]

The FDA requires proof of safety before recognizing a food additive as
safe.

A similar burden of proof is required for the FDA to ban a substance
or label it unsafe.

Nevertheless, stevia remained banned until after the 1994 Dietary
Supplement Health and Education Act forced the FDA in 1995 to revise
its stance to permit stevia to be used as a dietary supplement,
although not as a food additive -- a position that stevia proponents
regard as contradictory because it simultaneously labels stevia as
safe and unsafe, depending on how it is sold.[26]

Although unresolved questions remain concerning whether metabolic
processes can produce a mutagen from stevia in animals, let alone in
humans, the early studies nevertheless prompted the European
Commission to ban stevia's use in food in the European Union pending
further research.[10]

Singapore and Hong Kong has banned it also.[11]

However, more recent data compiled in the safety evaluation released
by the World Health Organization in 2006[20] suggest that these
policies may be obsolete.

[edit] Names in other countries

Both the sweetener and the stevia plant Stevia rebaudiana bertoni
(also known as Eupatorium rebaudianum bertoni) are known and
pronounced as "stévia" in English-speaking countries as well as in
France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden -- although some of these
countries also use other terms as shown below.

Similar pronunciations occur in Japan (sutebia or ステビア in katakana),
and in Thailand (satiwia).

In some countries (India, for example) the name translates literally
as "sweet leaf."

Below are some names for the stevia plant in various regions of the
world:[27]

* Afrikaans-speaking countries: heuningblaar (honey leaf)
* China: 甜� (tian jü -- sweet chrysanthemum), 甜�� (tian jü ye --
stevia leaf)
* English-speaking countries: candy leaf, sugar leaf, sweetleaf
(USA), sweet honey leaf (Australia), sweet herb of Paraguay
* German speaking countries (also Switzerland): Süßkraut,
Süßblatt, Honigkraut
* Hungary: jázmin pakóca
* India: madhu parani (Marathi), madhu patra (Sanskrit), seeni
tulsi (Tamil), madhu patri (Telugu)
* Japan: アマ�ステビア (amaha sutebia)
* Portuguese-speaking countries: capim doce, erva doce, estévia
(Brazil), folhas da stévia
* Spanish-speaking countries: hierba / yerba dulce, estevia, ka´a
he´ê (GuaranÃ*es, Natives of Paraguay)
* Thailand: satiwia, ห�้าหวาน (ya wan, or sweet grass in Bangkok)

[edit] See also

* Asteraceae
* Glycoside
* Sugar substitute

[edit] Notes and references
Look up Stevia in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

1. ^ PubMed research articles related to treatments of obesity

2. ^ PubMed research articles on stevia's effects on blood pressure

3. ^ PubMed articles on stevia's use in treating hypertension

4. ^ Curi, R; Alvarez M, Bazotte RB, Botion LM, Godoy JL, Bracht A
(1986). "Effect of Stevia rabaudiana on glucose tolerance in normal
adult humans". Braz J Med Biol Res 19 (6): 771-4.

5. ^ Gregersen, S; Jeppesen PB, Holst JJ, Hermansen K (January
2004). "Antihyperglycemic effects of stevioside in type 2 diabetic
subjects". Metabolism 53 (1): 73-76.

6. ^ Bridel, M.; Lavielle, R. (1931). "Sur le principe sucre des
feuilles de kaa-he-e (stevia rebaundiana B)". Academie des Sciences
Paris Comptes Rendus (Parts 192): 1123-1125.

7. ^ Brandle, Jim (2004-08-19). FAQ - Stevia, Nature's Natural Low
Calorie Sweetener (HTML). Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Retrieved
on 2006-11-08.

8. ^ Taylor, Leslie (2005). The Healing Power of Natural Herbs.
Garden City Park, NY: Square One Publishers, Inc., (excerpted at
weblink). ISBN 0-7570-0144-0.

9. ^ a b Jones, Georgia (September 2006). Stevia (HTML). NebGuide:
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural
Resources. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.

10. ^ a b European Commission Scientific Committee on Food (June
1999). Opinion on Stevioside as a Sweetener

11. ^ a b Simon LI (Legislative Council Secretariat Research and
Library Services Division) (27 March 2002). Fact Sheet: Stevioside

12. ^ Pezzuto, JM; Compadre CM, Swanson SM, Nanayakkara D, Kinghorn
AD (April 1985). "Metabolically activated steviol, the aglycone of
stevioside, is mutagenic". Proc Natl Acad Sci U.S.A. 82 (8): 2478-82.

13. ^ Procinska, E; Bridges BA, Hanson JR (March 1991).
"Interpretation of results with the 8-azaguanine resistance system in
Salmonella typhimurium: no evidence for direct acting mutagenesis by
15-oxosteviol, a possible metabolite of steviol". Mutagenesis 6 (2):
165-7. – article text is reproduced here.

14. ^ Matsui, M; Matsui K, Kawasaki Y, Oda Y, Noguchi T, Kitagawa Y,
Sawada M, Hayashi M, Nohmi T, Yoshihira K, Ishidate M Jr, Sofuni T
(November 1996). "Evaluation of the genotoxicity of stevioside and
steviol using six in vitro and one in vivo mutagenicity assays".
Mutagenesis 11 (6): 573-9.

15. ^ Klongpanichpak, S; Temcharoen P, Toskulkao C, Apibal S,
Glinsukon T (September 1997). "Lack of mutagenicity of stevioside and
steviol in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100". J Med Assoc Thai
80 (Suppl 1): S121-8.

16. ^ Geuns, JM (November 2003). "Stevioside". Phytochemistry 64
(5): 913-21. Retrieved on 2005-05-04.

17. ^ European Commission Scientific Committee on Food (June 1999).
Opinion on Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni plants and leaves

18. ^ Food Standards Agency (August 2000). FSA note on Stevia and
stevioside

19. ^ Pitchford, Paul (2002). Healing With Whole Foods: Asian
Traditions and Modern Nutrition (3rd ed.). Berkeley, CA: North
Atlantic Books. ISBN 1-55643-430-8.

20. ^ a b c Benford, D.J.; DiNovi, M., Schlatter, J. (2006). "Safety
Evaluation of Certain Food Additives: Steviol Glycosides" (PDF – 18
MB). WHO Food Additives Series 54: 140.

21. ^ Products and Markets - Stevia ([html]). Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations - Forestry Department. Retrieved on
2007-05-04.

22. ^ Abudula, R; Jeppesen PB, Rolfsen SE, Xiao J, Hermansen K
(October 2004). "Rebaudioside A potently stimulates insulin secretion
from isolated mouse islets: studies on the dose-, glucose-, and
calcium-dependency". Metabolism 53 (10): 1378-81.

23. ^ Food and Drug Administration (1995, rev 1996, 2005). Import
Alert #45-06: "Automatic Detention of Stevia Leaves, Extract of Stevia
Leaves, and Food Containing Stevia"

24. ^ a b Hawke, Jenny (February-March 2003). "The Bittersweet Story
of the Stevia Herb". Nexus magazine 10 (2). Retrieved on 2007-05-04.

25. ^ Kyl, John (R-Arizona) (1993). Letter to former FDA
Commissioner David Aaron Kessler about the 1991 stevia import ban,
quoted at herbalremedies.com.

26. ^ McCaleb, Rob (1997). Controversial Products in the Natural
Foods Market (HTML). Herb Research Foundation. Retrieved on
2006-11-08.

27. ^ The Multilingual Multiscript plant name database has terms for
the Stevia plant in various languages.

[edit] Further reading

* Pitchford, Paul (2002). Healing With Whole Foods: Asian
Traditions and Modern Nutrition (3rd ed.). Berkeley: North Atlantic
Books (ISBN 1-55643-430-8).

* May, James (2003). The Miracle of Stevia. New York, NY: Twin
Stream Books (ISBN 0-7582-0220-2).

* Kirkland, James (1999). Sugar-Free Cooking with Stevia.
Arlington, TX: Crystal Health Pub. (ISBN 1-928906-11-7).

* Goettomoeller, Jeffrey (1999). Stevia Sweet Recipes: Sugar-Free-
Naturally. Bloomingdale, IL: Vital Health Pub. (ISBN 1-890612-13-8).

* Sahelian, Ray (1999). The Stevia Cookbook. Garden City Park, NY:
Avery (ISBN 0-89529-926-7).

[edit] External links

* SteviaInfo.com - Stevia Research Studies, News, Recipes and
Background Information

* Center for Science in the Public Interest article Stevia: A
Bittersweet Tale

* Hong Kong Legislative Council Secretariat (PDF file)

* Journal review article on Stevia's safety

* Stevia: Not Ready For Prime Time

* SteviaCafe.net - Health and History Information

* Article by Daniel Mowrey, Ph.D. in assoc. with Health Freedom
Resources (http://www.healthfree.com/).

* Diabetes Health - Article on Stevia and Diabetes.

* http://www.eustas.org/ - European Stevia Association

* The Sweet Secret of Stevia -- article on the controversy around
Stevia

A young Stevia rebaudiana plant [ photo ]

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Stevia
Species

About 150 species, including:
Stevia eupatoria
Stevia ovata
Stevia plummerae
Stevia rebaudiana
Stevia salicifolia
Stevia serrata

v • d • e
Herbs and spices
Herbs

Angelica · Basil · Bay leaf · Boldo · Borage · Cannabis · Chervil ·
Chives · Coriander leaf (cilantro) · Curry leaf · Dill · Epazote ·
Eryngium foetidum (long coriander) · Hoja santa · Holy basil ·
Houttuynia cordata (giấp cá) · Hyssop · Lavender · Lemon balm · Lemon
grass · Limnophila aromatica (rice paddy herb) · Lovage · Marjoram ·
Mint · Mitsuba · Oregano · Parsley · Perilla (shiso) · Rosemary · Rue
· Sage · Savory · Sorrel · Stevia · Tarragon · Thai basil · Thyme ·
Vietnamese coriander (rau răm)
Spices

African pepper · Ajwain (bishop's weed) · Allspice · Amchur (mango
powder) · Anise · Aromatic ginger · Asafoetida · Camphor · Caraway ·
Cardamom · Cardamom, black · Cassia · Cayenne pepper · Celery seed ·
Chili · Cinnamon · Clove · Coriander seed · Cubeb · Cumin · Cumin,
black · Dill seed · Fennel · Fenugreek · Fingerroot (krachai) ·
Galangal, greater · Galangal, lesser · Garlic · Ginger · Grains of
Paradise · Horseradish · Juniper berry · Liquorice · Mace · Mahlab ·
Malabathrum (tejpat) · Mustard, black · Mustard, white · Nasturtium ·
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Pepper, long · Pepper, pink, Brazilian · Pepper, pink, Peruvian ·
Pepper, white · Pomegranate seed (anardana) · Poppy seed · Saffron ·
Sarsaparilla · Sassafras · Sesame · Sichuan pepper (hu�ji�o, sansho) ·
Star anise · Sumac · Tasmanian pepper · Tamarind · Turmeric · Wasabi ·
Zedoary
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia"

Categories: Asteraceae | Food safety | Glycosides | Herbs | Sweeteners

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two recent warning studies on stevia toxicity on rats and bacteria, AP
Nunes et al, 2007 April, 2006 Dec, links to 18 positive abstracts from
2000 February to 2004 January: Murray 2007.05.03
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1419

At the end of this post, I link to my 5 previous reviews in 2005
August that give 18 full abstacts in PubMed on stevia toxicity from
2000 February to 2004 January, which do not find that stevia is
practically toxic to humans in ordinary use -- and give an opposite
positive abstract using the Comet assay in 2002 December, and then
share the conclusion from the full text of another study on
mutagenicity, T Terai et al 2002 July.


These two recent studies by a reputable mainstream academic research
team in Brazil, who publish similar toxicity studies on other
chemicals, used rats and bacteria to find negative effects, which
justify additional careful studies, to decide if the approval of
stevia should be reversed in Japan, South Korea, China, Brazil, and
Paraguay, or the maximum lifetime safe dose be set at a lower level.

The other recent studies on stevia in PubMed since 2004 January
include no negative safety studies and many about possible positive
therapeutic effects. I'm not going to try to master this expanding
and complex field, but just provide some useful orientation. Every
citizen has to find their own strategy for making practical decisions
about risk, and assessing information sources.

In mutual service, Rich Murray


Food Chem Toxicol. 2007 Apr; 45(4): 662-6. Epub 2006 Oct 27.
Analysis of genotoxic potentiality of stevioside by comet assay.

* Nunes AP,
* Ferreira-Machado SC,
* Nunes RM,
* Dantas FJ,
* De Mattos JC,
* Caldeira-de-Araujo A.

Departamento de Biofisica e Biometria, Universidade do Estado do
Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Av 28
de Setembro, 87, 20551-030 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Stevioside is a natural non-caloric sweetener extracted from
Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) leaves.

It has been widely used in many countries, including Japan, Korea,
China, Brazil and Paraguay,
either as a substitute for sucrose in beverages and foods or as a
household sweetener.

The aim of this work was to study its genotoxic potentiality in
eukaryotic cells.

Wistar rats were treated with stevioside solution (4mg/mL) through
oral administration (ad libitum) and the DNA-induced damage was
evaluated using the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay).

The results showed that treatment with stevioside generates lesions in
peripheral blood, liver, brain and spleen cells in different levels,
the largest effect being in liver.

Therefore, these undesired effects must be better understood, once the
data present here point to possible stevioside mutagenic properties.
PMID: 17187912



Mol Cell Biochem. 2006 Dec; 293(1-2):187-92. Epub 2006 Jun 28.
Biological effects of stevioside on the survival of Escherichia
coli strains and plasmid DNA.

* Nunes AP,
* De Mattos JC,
* Ferreira-Machado SC,
* Nunes RM,
* Asad NR,
* Dantas FJ,
* Bezerra RJ,
* Caldeira-de-Araujo A.

Departamento de Biofisica e Biometria, Universidade do Estado do
Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Avenida
28 de Setembro #87, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20551-030, Brazil.

Stevioside is widely used daily in many countries as a non-caloric
sugar substitute.

Its sweetening power is higher than that of sucrose by approximately
250-300 times, being extensively employed as a household sweetener, or
added to beverages and food products.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain stevioside genotoxic and
cytotoxic potentiality in different biological systems, as its use
continues to increase.

Agarose gel electrophoresis and bacterial transformation were employed
to observe the occurrence of DNA lesions.

In addition to these assays, Escherichia coli strains were incubated
with stevioside so that their survival fractions could be obtained.

Results show absence of genotoxic activity through electrophoresis and
bacterial transformation assays and drop of survival fraction of E.
coli strains deficient in rec A and nth genes, suggesting that
stevioside
(i) is cytotoxic;
(ii) could need metabolization to present deleterious effects on
cells;
(iii) is capable of generating lesions in DNA and pathways as base
excision repair, recombination and SOS system would be important to
recover these lesions.
PMID: 16804638


This positive study also used the Comet assay to assess genotoxicity:

J Toxicol Sci. 2002 Dec; 27 Suppl 1: 1-8.
[Genotoxicity studies of stevia extract and steviol by the comet
assay]
[Article in Japanese]
Sekihashi K, Saitoh H, Sasaki Y.
Safety Research Institute for Chemical Compounds Co., Ltd., 363-24
Shin-ei,
Kiyota-ku, Sapporo 004-0839, Japan.

The genotoxicity of steviol, a metabolite of stevia extract, was
evaluated for its genotoxic potential using the comet assay.

In an in vitro study, steviol at 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 micrograms/ml
did not damage the nuclear DNA of TK6 and WTK1 cells in the presence
and
absence of S9 mix.

In vivo studies of steviol were conducted by two independent
organizations.
Mice were sacrificed 3 and 24 hr after one oral administration of
steviol at 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg.

DNA damage in multiple mouse organs was measured by the comet assay as
modified by us.

After oral treatment, stomach, colon, liver, kidney and testis DNA
were not damaged.

The in vivo genotoxicity of stevia extract was also evaluated for its
genotoxic potential using the comet assay.

Mice were sacrificed 3 and 24 hr after oral administration of stevia
extract at 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg.

Stomach, colon and liver DNA were not damaged.

As all studies showed negative responses, stevia extract and steviol
are concluded to not have DNA-damaging activity in cultured cells and
mouse organs. PMID: 12533916




" In this report, we have roughly estimated the influence of
the mutagenicity of steviol, used as low calorie sweetener in
our daily life, in comparison to that of AF2, which was previously
used as an authorized food preservative. In the case of
a cup of coffee, with the assumption of the common size of
commercial individually packed sugar in Japan as ranging
from three to five grams, the average amount of sugar can be
assumed as four grams per cup. To provide similar sweetness,
only 16 mg of stevia is necessary as the sugar substitute
for the same cup of coffee. According to the specific mutagenic
values of our experimental data, as shown in Table 1,
only 0.6 mg stevia is necessary to indicate the similar
strength in mutagenicity under the absence of S9 mixture as
that given by 16 mg of stevia. Using values for AF2, whose
levels were permitted up to 2 mg for preserving 100 g of fish
sausage products from 1965 to 1974 in Japan, the mutagenic
activity given by 2 mg of AF2 is calculated to be equivalent
to 48 g of stevia, which translates to 3000 cups of coffee.

From this simulation, the genetic toxicity of stevia can be regarded
as negligible and safe, as long as we limit its use in
ordinary amount for our daily life. Although further studies,
such as the effect of heating on the activity of stevia, or the
metabolic fate of its lactone derivatives in our body are necessary,
the present paper suggests that there are no serious
genotoxic problem with the daily usage of this low-calorie
sweetener. "

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2002 Jul; 50(7): 1007-10.
Mutagenicity of steviol and its oxidative derivatives in
Salmonella typhimurium TM677.

* Terai T,
* Ren H,
* Mori G,
* Yamaguchi Y,
* Hayashi T.

Department of Applied Chemistry, Osaka Institute of Technology,
Japan.

Stevioside is natural non-caloric sweetner isolated from Stevia
rebaudiana BERTONI, which has been used as a non-caloric sugar
substitute in Japan.

Pezzuto et al. demonstrated that steviol shows a dose-dependent
positive response in forward mutation assay using Salmonella
typhimurium TM677 in the presence of metabolic activation system
(Aroclor induced rat liver S9 fraction).

Our studies were carried out to identify the genuine mutagenic active
substance from among the eight steviol derivatives.

Steviol indicate almost similar levels of mutagenicity under the
presence of S9 mixture, as reported by Pezzuto et al.

15-Oxo-steviol was found to be mutagenic at the one tenth the level of
steviol itself under the presence of S9 mixture.

Interestingly, specific mutagenicity of the lactone derivative under
the presence of S9 mixture was ten times lower than that of the
lactone derivative without the addition of S9 mixture.
PMID: 12130868

http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/cpb/50/7/50_1007/_article/-char/en
free full text
http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/cpb/50/7/1007/_pdf 68 KB

Tadamasa Terai 1),
Huifeng Ren 2),
Go Mori 1),
Yoshihito Yamaguchi 1) and
Tetsuhito Hayashi 2)
1) Department of Applied Chemistry, Osaka Institute of Technology
5-16-1 Omiya, Asahi-ku, Osaka 535-8585, Japan: and
2) Department of Food Science and Technology, Tokyo University of
Fisheries
4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan.
(Received March 19, 2002) (Accepted May 7, 2002)

References

1) Wood H. B., Allerton R., Diehl H. W., Fletcher H. G., J. Org.
Chem., 20, 875-883 (1955).

2) Akashi H., Yokoyama Y., Shokuhinkougyo, 10, 34-43 (1975).

3) Xili L., Chengjiany B., Eryi X., Fed. Chem. Toxicol., 30, 957-965
(1992).

4) Kato R., Gillette J. R., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 150, 285-291
(1965).

5) Wingard R. E., Jr., Brown J. P., Enderlin F. E., Dale J. A., Hale
R. L., Seitz C. T., Experientia, 36, 519-520 (1980).

6) Pezzuto J. M., Compadre C. M., Swanson S. M., Nanayakkara N. P. D.,
Kinghorn A. D., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 82, 2478-2482 (1985).

7) Suttajit M., Vinitketkaumnuen U., Meevatee U., Buddhasukh D.,
Environ. Health Perspect., 101, 53-56 (1993).

8) Matsui M., Matsui K., Kawasaki Y., Oda Y., Noguchi T., Kitagawa Y.,
Sawada M., Hayashi M., Nohmi T., Yoshihira K., Ishidate M., Jr.,
Sofuni T., Mutagenesis, 11, 573-579 (1996).

9) Yoshioka I., Saijoh S., Warers J. A., Kitagawa I., Chem. Pharm.
Bull., 20, 2500-2502 (1972).

10) Terai T., Nippon Nogeikagaku Kaishi, 63, 1119-1121 (1989).

11) Skopek T., Liber H. L., Kaden D. A., Thilly W. G., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 75, 4465-4469 (1978).

12) Skopek T., Liber H. L., Krolewski J. J., Thilly W. G., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 75, 410-414 (1978).

13) Takagi Y., Goto S., Murata T., Matsu****a H., Lewtas J., Taiki
Osen Gakkaishi (J. Jpn. Soc. Air Pollution), 23, 24-31 (1988).

14) Ren H., Hayashi T., Goto S., Ohkubo T., Endo H., Watanabe E.,
Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi (J. Jpn. Soc. Fish. Sci.), 63, 90-96 (1997).



http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1201
here's three more stevia abstracts: lowers blood pressure, Lee CN 2001
Dec: antiviral, Takashashi K 2001 Jan: antihyperglycemic, Jeppesen
PB, 2000 Feb: Murray 2005.08.07

Planta Med. 2001 Dec; 67(9): 796-9.
Inhibitory effect of stevioside on calcium influx to produce
antihypertension.
Lee CN, Wong KL, Liu JC, Chen YJ, Cheng JT, Chan P.
Department of Medicine, Taipei Medical University-Wan Fang Hospital,
Wen Shan, Taipei, Taiwan.

Antiviral Res. 2001 Jan; 49(1): 15-24.
Analysis of anti-rotavirus activity of extract from Stevia rebaudiana.
Takahashi K, Matsuda M, Ohashi K, Taniguchi K, Nakagomi O, Abe Y,
Mori S, Sato N, Okutani K, Shigeta S.
Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical
University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima-shi 960-1295, Japan.


Metabolism. 2000 Feb; 49(2): 208-14.
Stevioside acts directly on pancreatic beta cells to secrete insulin:
actions independent of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and
adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+-channel activity.
Jeppesen PB, Gregersen S, Poulsen CR, Hermansen K.
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aarhus University
Hospital, Denmark.


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1201
here's three more stevia abstracts: lowers blood pressure, Lee CN 2001
Dec: antiviral, Takashashi K 2001 Jan: antihyperglycemic, Jeppesen PB,
2000 Feb: Murray 2005.08.07

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1199
yet three more stevia abstracts: mutagenic in bacteria, Terai T, 2002
July: lowers blood pressure in rats, Hsu YH, 2002 Jan:
antihyperglycaemic, insulinotropic and glucagonostatic benefits in
rats, Jeppesen PB 2002 Jan; Murray 2005.08.07

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1198
three more stevia abstracts: no genotoxicity in mice, Sekihashi K,
Saitoh H, Sasaki Y 2002 Dec: lowers blood pressure in dogs,
Liu JC 2003 Jan: inhibits tumors in mice, Yasukawa K 2002 Nov:
Murray 2005.08.05

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1197
three abstracts on expert stevia research: hypertension, Chan P
2000 Sept; microflora, Gardana C 2003.10.22; helps blood pressure
and glucose level, Jeppesen PB 2003 Mar: Murray 2005.08.05

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1196
Alan in alt.support.diabetes re Stevia and Glycemic and Hypertension
Control 2004.05.14: 2 year large scale blood pressure study, Hsieh MH,
2003
Nov: insulin in muscles, Lailerd N 2004 Jan: glucose in diabetics,
Gregersen S 2004 Jan: Murray 2005.08.04

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1179
Stevia (stevioside) is safe: Prof. Jan M.C. Geuns: Murray 2005.07.06

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1084
26 stevia safety abstracts since 1993: aspartame vs stevia debate on
alt.support.diabetes, George Schmidt, OD: Murray 2004.05.25 rmforall
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more from The Independent,UK, Martin Hickman, re ASDA (unit of Wal-
Mart Stores) and Marks & Spencer ban of aspartame, MSG, artificial
chemical additives and dyes to prevent ADHD in kids: Murray 2007.05.16
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1427

See also:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1426
ASDA (unit of Wal-Mart Stores WMT.N) and Marks & Spencer
will join Tesco and also Sainsbury to ban and limit aspartame,
MSG, artificial flavors dyes preservatives additives, trans fats,
salt "nasties" to protect kids from ADHD: leading UK media:
Murray 2007.05.15

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1271
combining aspartame and quinoline yellow, or MSG and
brilliant blue, harms nerve cells, eminent C. Vyvyan
Howard et al, 2005 education.guardian.co.uk,
Felicity Lawrence: Murray 2005.12.21

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1277
50% UK baby food is now organic -- aspartame or MSG
with food dyes harm nerve cells, CV Howard 3 year study
funded by Lizzy Vann, CEO, Organix Brands,
Children's Food Advisory Service: Murray 2006.01.13


http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article2548747.ece


aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde) toxicity research summary: Rich
Murray 2007.05.19
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1404

One liter aspartame diet soda, about 3 12-oz cans,
gives 61.5 mg methanol,
so if 30% is turned into formaldehyde, the formaldehyde
dose of 18.5 mg is 37 times the recent EPA limit of
0.5 mg per liter daily drinking water for a 10-kg child:
www.epa.gov/teach/chem_summ/Formaldehyde_summary.pdf
2007.01.05 [ does not discuss formaldehyde from methanol
or aspartame ]
http://www.epa.gov/teach/teachsurvey.html comments



"Of course, everyone chooses, as a natural priority,
to actively find, quickly share, and positively act upon
the facts about healthy and safe food, drink, and
environment."

Rich Murray, MA Room For All
505-501-2298 1943 Otowi Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/messages
group with 74 members, 1,430 posts in a public, searchable archive
http://RMForAll.blogspot.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1340
aspartame groups and books: updated research review of
2004.07.16: Murray 2006.05.11


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1395
Aspartame Controversy, in Wikipedia democratic
encyclopedia, 72 references (including AspartameNM # 864
and 1173 by Murray), brief fair summary of much more
research: Murray 2007.01.01


Dark wines and liquors, as well as aspartame, provide
similar levels of methanol, above 120 mg daily, for
long-term heavy users, 2 L daily, about 6 cans.

Within hours, methanol is inevitably largely turned into
formaldehyde, and thence largely into formic acid -- the
major causes of the dreaded symptoms of "next morning"
hangover.

Fully 11% of aspartame is methanol -- 1,120 mg aspartame
in 2 L diet soda, almost six 12-oz cans, gives 123 mg
methanol (wood alcohol). If 30% of the methanol is turned
into formaldehyde, the amount of formaldehyde, 37 mg,
is 18.5 times the USA EPA limit for daily formaldehyde in
drinking water, 2.0 mg in 2 L average daily drinking water.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1286
methanol products (formaldehyde and formic acid) are main
cause of alcohol hangover symptoms [same as from similar
amounts of methanol, the 11% part of aspartame]:
YS Woo et al, 2005 Dec: Murray 2006.01.20


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1143
methanol (formaldehyde, formic acid) disposition:
Bouchard M et al, full plain text, 2001: substantial
sources are degradation of fruit pectins, liquors,
aspartame, smoke: Murray 2005.04.02
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