Question about sweeteners

[Bassetmommer]

I heard on a webinar sponsored by a kidney organization, not NKF, that stevia is supposedly not good for CKD. However, when I research it, I can not find anything that agrees with that. Matter of fact, a couple of articles said it was good sweetener for CKD. I grow my own stevia and I use "Sweetleaf" for sweetener. Does anyone else know if this is a good idea? I hate all the other products.

[rabbit01]

I have never heard of this being bad for CKD. Things change all the time though. I remember when I was diagnosed with CKD I was advised that coffee was not good for kidneys. Then about four years later I started reading that coffee was good for kidneys!

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to rabbit01]

Yes, I remember the coffee thing. The reason I am asking is because this was something a dietician TAUGHT to people on this webinar. I was not able to voice my concerns in time.

this is one article I found that said it was good for CKD

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Hidden]

All of the members of my Care Team have approved Stevia as okay for me. It's the best product on the market for me to use. I stopped drinking coffee about two years ago and eliminated any use of a sweetener there. I don't need to use Stevia for much else. I will, from time to time, have a glass of Iced Tea. I drink it without caffeine and no sweetener. Sometimes I use it in cooking but that is not done frequently. Since I found that the primary cause of my CKD was/is diabetes, I've managed to shut down a lot of need for any sweetener.

[HealthBuddyMelissa]

This study is from 2018 from a reputable source and it says Stevia may even be good for kidneys up to stage 3. The study does not go past stage 3. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/302...

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to HealthBuddyMelissa]

thanks, very similar to what I found. I think the dietician misspoke and that is too bad.

[Sammi_n_Munk]

Hi Bassetmommer! I was able to copy this link from Healthline about raw homegrown stevia, and the processed stevia in grocery stores. Under the side effects of raw stevia herb, it does mention that it can be harmful to the kidneys, and reproductive and cardiovascular systems.

Truthfully, it left me a little confused as to whether it’s a good, or truly bad thing. They also do say that it is helpful for diabetes and in lowering bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol. Not sure if it will help you any more than it helped me, but just thought I’d bring the link over here for you and the others to view.

Hope it’s helpful to you somehow. Take care, and God bless. 😊👍

healthline.com/nutrition/is...

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Sammi_n_Munk]

thanks. I went through the article you sent and did not see where it mentions it is bad for CKD patients. Did I miss it?

[Sammi_n_Munk in reply to Bassetmommer]

Hi again Bassetmommer! Well, this is a little mysterious! When I read it the first time earlier today, and then again just a few minutes ago, it was there under “Side Effects”, but when I scrolled down, then back up to the side effects section, it read something different.

But I just looked it up again after a Google search, and in kidney.org, it made just a small mention that it is not good for the kidneys. But that’s about it. I apologize to you for that. It would appear that Healthline is making a liar out of me! Lol! I’m going to do more research on this and get back to you.

I did notice though, it also mentioned that it’s not helpful for those (much like myself) that are trying to lose weight. Apparently, many artificial sweeteners are bad for the cardiovascular system and weight loss. It works for diabetes just fine, but not so great for other health issues. As I say, I’m going to look into it a little more and let you know what I find.

Sometimes, these “rumours” can be put out there by their competitors also. That may be why there is so little info pointing to the negative side of stevia. There may not even be a negative side at all! But, once again, my apologies to you.

Take care of yourself and I will post again soon to let you know what I find out. 😊👍

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Sammi_n_Munk]

No need to apologize. I agree that it is hard to find the truth on stuff sometimes. that is why when I am really going for facts I use only evidence based journal articles. Sometimes they are hard to decipher, but I get the gist of them and trust them. I am not one for chemicals so that is why I prefer to use natural products. I grow my own stevia but the one plant does not make much when you grind the leaves down. And it makes an ugly product. But it is good for fruit pies.

The issue with artificial sweeteners is that the body processes it the same as sugar. They do not add calories but they do crate insulin resistance and other issues. But the biggest issue is people think they can consume more because it has zero calories. But processed foods are junk to the body.

[Sammi_n_Munk in reply to Bassetmommer]

Yes! That is exactly what I’ve been reading in my research online. I’m even wondering if that might be the reason why I’m having so much difficulty losing weight. I really only use it in my coffee (I probably should mention that I drink about 3 or 4 cups a day - I’m bad). Maybe I’m just using too much. But I’m sure that I used to be able to lose weight before, even using artificial sweeteners. I’ve been using them practically my whole life, or at least since I turned 14. That’s when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (caused mainly by my weight issues).

I think what you’re doing is awesome though. That really is the right way to do things, especially these days with all of the preservatives and chemical crap that is in our food. It’s really no wonder as to how and why so many people are suffering with all of these illnesses.

I always try to do things the more natural way also. And the articles that I’ve read, also say that stevia in it’s natural form is the best, because it is less processed and doesn’t contain additives and such. I’m going to try to ween myself off of the Splenda. As I say, from what I’ve read, it’s not the miracle sweetener that it was initially marketed to be. Oh well. I have actually never even tried stevia, but I have read though, that it has something of a licorice-y aftertaste. I didn’t know you can use it in baking. That’s awesome. 😊👍

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Sammi_n_Munk]

Be careful when you buy "stevia" products. Many are not true stevia. For example, Truvia has little or no actual stevia in it. That is why I like Sweet Leaf. But I am not trying to sell anyone on it. I use sweetener only on my oatmeal which I only eat on the weekend. So I am not consuming a lot of it. I did try baking with it and..... not good. There was an aftertaste when you use a lot of it. So now, if I want to make something, I will add it with regular sugar. The only time I bake totally with it is when I add a LITTLE to my fruit pies which I make from scratch.

[Sammi_n_Munk in reply to Bassetmommer]

Yes, I do remember reading something not great about Truvia. I am going to try the Sweet Leaf though. Do you think it would work well in coffee?

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Sammi_n_Munk]

yes.

[gagajones]

Any studies on monkfruit or erythritol?