Abstract
The natural sweetener from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, steviol glycoside (SG), has been proposed to exhibit a range of antidiabetic properties. The objective of this systematic review was to critically evaluate evidence for the effectiveness of SGs on human health, particularly type 2 diabetic (T2D) biomarkers, collecting data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Electronic searches were performed in PubMed and EMBASE and the bibliography of retrieved full-texts was hand searched. Using the Cochrane criteria, the reporting quality of included studies was assessed. Seven studies, nine RCTs, including a total of 462 participants were included. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the effect of SGs on following outcomes: BMI, blood pressure (BP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipids, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The meta-analysis revealed an overall significant reduction in systolic BP in favour of SGs between SG and placebo, mean difference (MD): −6.32 mm Hg (−7.69 to 0.46). The overall effect of BMI, diastolic BP, FBG, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was a non-significant reduction in favour of SGs, and a non-significant increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride, while no significant effect of HbA1c was found. Heterogeneity was significant for several analyses. More studies investigating the effect of SGs on human health, particularly T2D biomarkers, are warranted.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus has been ranked as the sixth leading cause of disability [1]
It is suggested that the case of insulin resistance as seen in many type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients is the result of an increase in visceral adiposity [5,7]
Electronic searches were performed in the databases PubMed and EMBASE in the time period of August to October 2018 using search terms such as Stevia, Stevioside, steviol glycoside, insulin release, antihyperglycemic agent, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, cholesterol, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and glycated hemoglobin
Summary
Diabetes mellitus has been ranked as the sixth leading cause of disability [1]. The InternationalDiabetes Federation (IDF) estimated a total of more than 425 million diabetics in the age range 20–79 worldwide in 2017, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounting for more than 90% of the overall cases.According to IDF, the number of T2DM incidences is expected to further increase to around 629 million by year 2045, making this metabolic disease a continuously increasing problem worldwide [2,3].T2DM is a metabolic and multifactorial condition in that both genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, including diet and physical activity, contribute to the development of the disease [4]. Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated a total of more than 425 million diabetics in the age range 20–79 worldwide in 2017, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounting for more than 90% of the overall cases. According to IDF, the number of T2DM incidences is expected to further increase to around 629 million by year 2045, making this metabolic disease a continuously increasing problem worldwide [2,3]. Insulin resistance is present and precedes the development of T2DM by increasing the requirements for insulin, leading to insulin insufficiency in individuals whose β-cells have limited secretory reserve and is most often related to obesity, ageing, and physical inactivity [5,6]. As a consequence of the insulin deficiency, there is a reduced insulin-mediated glucose uptake from skeletal muscle and other peripheral target tissues and an increased glucose
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
