Rebaudioside A and cortisol metabolism: Sweet news for consumers

摘要

Extracts of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni are traditional food sweeteners in South America. Stevioside and other sweet-tasting compounds such as steviobioside and rebaudiosides were then isolated from Stevia leaves. Subsequently, rebaudioside A has been authorised in many countries as a sweetener [1]. Reversible oedema, hypokalaemia and elevated blood pressure were reported in a patient who ingested large amounts of Stevia extracts [2]. This was synchronous to a modification of the cortisol/cortisone ratio in urine. Stevia extract was presumed guilty through modification of the activity of llfi-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD2): the enzyme implicated with HSD1 in the inactivation/reactivation shuttle of cortisol in various tissues including abdominal fat.