Stevia Becomes Truvia

One of the speakers said that these studies are randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind. These are the highest scientific standards, according to Dr. Steven Bratman's article, "Double-Blind Studies," on my website.

The Truvia studies included people with type 2 diabetes. They determined that Truvia doesn't affect our blood glucose control. This counters a single-dose study in 2004, which suggested that stevioside, a closely-related component of stevia, reduced blood glucose levels of people with type 2 diabetes.

For most people with diabetes I think this is going to be menu-changing. But not for me.

I wrote here last year that of all the sweeteners that we can choose from, I decided that I prefer stevia. Splenda is my second choice.

Later, however, I stopped using any sweeteners, whether or not they have any calories. That's because some research indicates that even non-caloric sweeteners can raise our levels of circulating insulin, as I wrote here. That makes us hungry, leading us to eat more, something that I really don't need.

Cargill and Coca-Cola say that they submitted the Truvia studies to the FDA today for approval and hope to start marketing Truvia this year. They have set up Truvia and rebiana websites with much more information. If like the great majority of people with diabetes who still use any sweetener, Truvia could be in your future.

Read more of David's posts on artificial sweeteners and diabetes:

Splenda or Stevia?

The Trouble with Non-Caloric Artificial Sweeteners