Request for support of stevia research, Prof. Jan MC Geuns, Laboratory of
Functional Biology, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium 2007.01.12
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1403


Stevia and its steviol glycosides (mainly stevioside and rebaudioside A) are low
calorie sweeteners without toxic effects.

However, to get stevioside approved as a sweetener, additional research is
required.

So far, we could not obtain funding for this research.

On the contrary, there seems to be some dark forces undermining our work on
stevioside.

If you want to sponsor the stevia research, you can deposit your gift on the
account of the
KULeuven: Iban: BE45 7340 1941 7789 and Swift:
KRED BE BB of KBC Bank, Brusselsesteenweg 100, B 3000 Leuven
with the message: for GWU-PATEI2-P3610.

If you want to receive a fiscal certificate (from 50 euro or dollar and above),
just mention: please send fiscal certificate.

Thank you for your gift.

With best regards,

J. Geuns

For information on stevia: visit our website under "Stevia center"

Prof. Dr. Jan M.C. GEUNS Jan.Geuns@...
Laboratory of Functional Biology
Kasteelpark Arenberg 31
B-3001 Heverlee
Tel: +32-16-321510, Fax: +32-16-321509
Visit our website: www.kuleuven.ac.be/bio/biofys
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
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http://bio.kuleuven.be/biofys/ESC/English/ESC.htm English
European Stevia Center


http://bio.kuleuven.be/biofys/ESC/English/ESC.htm
Situation of Stevioside in the world
Report of the 63rd JECFA Meeting, 8-17 June 2004.


http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/multimedia/webpage/stevia
EU Food Standards Agency 2002.03.28 stevia summary


Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2007 Jan; 232(1): 164-73.
Metabolism of stevioside by healthy subjects.
Geuns JM,
Buyse J,
Vankeirsbilck A,
Temme EH.
Laboratory of Functional Biology, KULeuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, B 3001
Leuven, Belgium. Jan.Geuns@...

Stevioside (250-mg capsules) was given thrice daily for 3 days to 10 healthy
subjects.

Blood samples were collected and blood pressure measured after nocturnal
fasting, before and at different time points during the third day of the
administration of stevioside.

No significant differences were found between the control and the stevioside
condition for blood pressure and blood biochemical parameters.

The 24-hr urinary volume and urinary excretion of electrolytes were not
significantly different.

Likewise, no significant difference was found for mean blood glucose and insulin
between control and stevioside conditions.

Thus, oral stevioside is not directly effective as a hypotensive or hypoglycemic
agent in healthy subjects at the dose administered in this study.

Stevioside, free steviol, and steviol metabolites were analyzed in blood, feces,
and urine after 3 days of stevioside administration.

No uptake was found of stevioside by the gastrointestinal tract or the amounts
taken up were very low and below the detection limit of the UV detector.

Stomach juice did not degrade stevioside.

All the stevioside reaching the colon was degraded by micro-organisms into
steviol, the only metabolite found in feces.

In blood plasma, no stevioside, no free steviol or other free steviol
metabolites were found.

However, steviol glucuronide (SV glu) was found in maximum concentrations of 33
micro g/ml (21.3 micro g steviol equivalents/ml0.

In urine, no stevioside or free steviol were present, but SV glu was found in
amounts of up to 318 mg/24-hr urine (205 mg steviol equivalents/24 hrs).

No other steviol derivatives were detected.

In feces, besides free steviol, no other steviol metabolites or conjugates were
detected.

Steviol was excreted as SV glu in urine. PMID: 17202597


Phytochemistry. 2003 Nov;64(5): 913-21.
Stevioside.
Geuns JM.
Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Catholic University of Leuven, Kasteelpark
Arenberg 31, B 3001 Leuven, Belgium. jan.geuns@...

Stevioside is a natural sweetener extracted from leaves of Stevia rebaudiana
(Bertoni) Bertoni.

The literature about Stevia, the occurrence of its sweeteners, their
biosynthetic pathway and toxicological aspects are discussed.

Injection experiments or perfusion experiments of organs are considered as not
relevant for the use of Stevia or stevioside as food, and therefore these
studies are not included in this review.

The metabolism of stevioside is discussed in relation with the possible
formation of steviol.

Different mutagenicity studies as well as studies on carcinogenicity are
discussed.

Acute and subacute toxicity studies revealed a very low toxicity of Stevia and
stevioside.

Fertility and teratogenicity studies are discussed as well as the effects on the
bio-availability of other nutrients in the diet.

The conclusion is that Stevia and stevioside are safe when used as a sweetener.

It is suited for both diabetics, and PKU patients, as well as for obese persons
intending to lose weight by avoiding sugar supplements in the diet.

No allergic reactions to it seem to exist. PMID: 14561506
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1203
another three stevia abstracts: may reduce fertility in male rats, Melis MS 1999
Nov: reduces blood pressure in rats, Chan P 1998: kills bacteria, Tomita T 1997:
Murray 2005.08.08

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 2004.08.04

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1195
thanks to Ma¢k for correction; stevia not yet allowed on market in Europe:
Stevia rebaudiana, a sweetsimple story. Prof. Jan M.C. Geuns 2003.10.15: Murray
2005.08.03

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/1164
artificial sweetener sales soar, stevia and tagatose available: Murray
2005.03.31

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1152
reply to Ferne Hudson, Tate & Lyle PLC, re Splenda (sucralose) policy: Murray
2005.02.08

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1122
UN FAO & WHO approve Steviol glycosides as sweetener June 2004, imports to UK no
longer blocked: Martini: Murray 2004.10.17
[ stevia not yet allowed to be sold in Europe 2005.08.03 ]

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
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