Clarifying the Effect of Steviol Glycosides on Glucose Metabolism in Adults
Introduction
In response to the escalating global obesity rates, the demand for sugar reduction has reached a critical juncture. As a strategic pivot, the food industry has increasingly incorporated sugar substitutes, including sugar alcohols, natural sweeteners, and artificial sweeteners, into their products. These alternatives are favored for their minimal caloric impact and potent sweetness, aligning with the health-conscious consumer trends. Notably, steviol glycosides (SGs), one of the safe natural sweeteners derived from the stevia rebaudiana plant, have been proved to improve glucose metabolism in adults.About SGs
SGs, scientifically known as stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, are characterized by their high stability, excellent solubility in water and ethanol, and a strong sweet taste that is calorie-free. They are also recognized for their safety, with a long shelf life and antimicrobial properties. Several typical SGs are listed below:* Stevioside: It is one of the primary components of stevia, which is about 250 times sweeter than sucrose.
* Rebaudioside (Reb) A: Reb A is one of the most studied and utilized SGs in the food industry. It is approximately 400 times sweeter than sucrose and is often used to enhance the sweetness of food products without adding calories
* Reb D: Reb D is also intensely sweet but has a less bitter aftertaste compared to stevioside.
* Reb C: Reb C is present in lower quantities in stevia but contributes to the overall sweetness profile of stevia extracts
* Dulcoside A: It is one of the sweetening components identified in stevia, although less is known about its specific properties compared to other SGs
* Reb B, E, and F: Each of them has unique properties that contribute to the overall profile of stevia as a sweetener.
The metabolic fate of SGs
After ingestion by the body, SGs are converted to free steviol, an aglycone of glycoside, primarily in the large intestine by the action of intestinal flora. This conversion process does not significantly affect blood glucose levels, and steviol is rapidly excreted in the urine as steviol glucuronide. In addition, the pharmacokinetic properties of SGs in humans indicate that they do not accumulate in the body, thus reducing the potential risk of toxicity.
Health benefits of SGs as sugar substitutes to glucose metabolism
Subgroup and sensitivity analyses collectively attest the favorable effects of SGs on FBG and HOMA-IR in participants aged ≤50 years, those without diabetes mellitus or hypertension at the baseline, and overweight and obese adults. Specifically, even low doses of SGs can produce significant reduction in fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HOMA-IR values. Yet, there is marginal but not statistically significant effect of SGs on HbA1c.
Conclusion
As the food industry navigates the complex challenge of balancing taste with health, the role of SGs is set to expand, offering us a sweet solution to the pressing need for sugar reduction. The validation of SGs' benefits in glucose metabolism underscores a promising future for sugar reduction strategies, potentially curbing the tide of obesity and related metabolic disorders worldwide.Reference
[1] Bai X, Qu H, Zhang J, et al. Effect of steviol glycosides as natural sweeteners on glucose metabolism in adult participants. Food Funct. 2024;15(8):3908-3919. Published 2024 Apr 22. doi:10.1039/d3fo04695h
[2] Purkayastha S, Kwok D. Metabolic fate in adult and pediatric population of steviol glycosides produced from stevia leaf extract by different production technologies. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2020;116:104727. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104727
BONTAC SGs
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