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There is clear evidence that high sugar intake leads to obesity and hepatic steatosis (also called ″fatty liver″). Stevia is perhaps unique among food ingredients because it has no calories and is 200 times sweeter than sugar in the same concentration.
Hepatic steatosis is expected to become the leading cause of liver transplants soon. A new study on mice shows that stevia extract can reduce markers of hepatic steatosis. The results of the preclinical study were published in the journal Scientific Reports and led to an ongoing clinical trial.
Hepatic steatosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver. Currently, there is no treatment for this condition that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Researchers in Los Angeles, California, conducted a study on mice to see if replacing sugar with sweeteners could help fight the disease. They tested two non-caloric sweeteners: sucralose and stevia extract. Both are widely used in several foods and beverages.
They found that stevia extract had many benefits: it lowered glucose levels and improved insulin sensitivity, which indicates that it helps regulate blood sugar.
Stevia extract could be a future approach to the treatment of this disease, which currently involves lifestyle changes.
If you want to find out about the benefits of beer, check out our article on this topic: 19 health benefits of beer.
[Photo from Pixabay]
