Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I've noticed a link between using stevia (we're talking very small amounts here; less than a teaspoon) and bouts of dizziness within a few hours.

In a way I'm relieved that since I figured out the link, I've stopped having it (it tasted like baboon's arse* anyway) and consequently, the lightheadedness has also vanished.

Just wanted to know if I'm on my own, or if anyone else has experienced a correlation between stevia use and dizziness?

*Disclaimer: I've never actually tasted a baboon's arse.

flag	asked Oct 24 at 14:34 GrassyArse 170●1●6

bethaneyjayne · Answer 1 · 2012-10-25 05:54:12Z UTC

Im glad you haven't tasted baboon arse, but I'm sure it's paleo, lol.

I have this happen to me, almost like the stevia makes me super hungry too, almost hyperglycemic. Especially if its on an empty stomach, I cant help with the why thought sorry!

elaichi · Answer 2 · 2013-01-21 18:52:13Z UTC

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That always happens to me if i consume any form of stevia! Took me months to make this connection - glad you made it right away! IMO stevia is just too effective as a blood pressure reducing supplement instead of a natural sweetener.

answered Jan 21 at 18:52

elaichi
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I'm sorry you've had a similar experience, but in a way I'm also reassured to find it's not just me! ;) – GrassyArse Feb 20 at 2:24

blueballoon · Answer 3 · 2013-01-21 21:01:21Z UTC

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There was a thread a while back about stevia being a mild vasodilator. Do you have normally low-ish blood pressure? If you take a vasodilator with low BP you'll end up dizzy. (Be careful. I have rather low normal BP and almost passed out after some stevia.)

answered Jan 21 at 21:01

blueballoon
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I do have extremely low blood pressure, yeah - to the point where I suffer from postural hypotension sometimes. Huh. Thanks for your reply; informative! – GrassyArse Feb 20 at 2:21

nursling · Answer 4 · 2012-10-25 06:21:01Z UTC

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what kind/brand of stevia were you using?

answered Oct 25 at 6:21

nursling
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I'm in the UK: the brand I used was PureVia and previous to going fully Paleo I used Tate & Lyle Light at Heart (a sugar / stevia glycoside blend). Both appear to have induced the same symptoms. – GrassyArse Oct 25 at 22:14

Anon · Answer 5 · 2013-01-21 20:43:37Z UTC

PureVia is not stevia. It's an stevia extract (rebaudioside a). Stevia is supposed to have some benefits, like improved insulin sensitivity. Some people tried to see if reb a has the same benefits that stevia has, but the studies show that it doesn't.

1 week after I started consuming reb a, but in the form of Truvia, I woke up and my automatic breathing stopped (so I had to breath voluntarily). Soon after I was having a panic attack, for the first time in my life, and went to the hospital. Normal breathing returned in a few hours.

I stopped consuming Truvia for a few days, because I ate many other new foods at that time, and was trying to figure out which one triggered it. I didn't have any other panic attack for a few days, so I said, it was probably a one time thing. I drank something with Truvia that night, and at 6 a.m. I woke up again with my breathing paralyzed.

What happened to me doesn't seem to be abnormal. I googled stevia, panic attack, and found somebody who had almost the same experience as I did. Check this guy's experience: http://forums.lowcarber.org/archive/index.php/t-109690.html

I believe not everyone will be sensitive to it. I was hypothyroid at the time, which can increase the risk of SIBO or gut problems. I think it's in that environment that Reb A (Truvia, PureVia) can be most harmful.

Reb A doesn't have any benefit that Stevia doesn't. It's probably worse than Stevia. I think the main reason companies sell it in the Reb A form is that Reb A can be patented, while Stevia isn't, so if they find some benefit of Reb A, like maybe extra sweetness, nobody else would be able to sell it.

Dizziness after stevia?

5 Answers