I recently returned from CR in Lenox. I noticed a recommendation to use Stevia if one uses artificial sweeteners from many of the lectures including one from a women MD. I’m confused by this bc the Center for Science in the Public Interest doesn’t agree. http://www.cspinet.org/nah/4_00/stevia.html http://www.cspinet.org/new/200808281.html I purchased the book, Nourish, which recommends the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s position on food additives… we threw away all our Splenda when we returned but noticed that the CSIPI has the same concerns about Stevia please advise… thanks!
We were aware of CSPI’s objection to Stevia when we decided to recommend it. It’s almost a process of eliminating the worst offenders (chemical-based sweeteners) and choosing the most natural product. The negative data appears to require very large doses of stevia and long-exposures. For instance, the rat study that is mentioned tracked the rats through 20 generations at high doses before they saw the negative effects on sperm. We are definitely more confident of Stevia than Splenda, although we prefer the use of natural sweeteners in moderate amounts over any non-nutritive sweetener.