Stevia, a natural, no-calorie sweetener, is often used as a sugar substitute. And if you've been following all of the controversy following stevia, you also probably know that there are plenty of side effects of stevia that are still being studied. However, there are some real benefits to using stevia, one of which appears to be that it can help lower your blood pressure over time. That said, you need to weigh your options to see whether or not you should use stevia to help you if you have high-blood pressure.

Using Stevia To Lower Blood Pressure

Although stevia is not new to the rest of the world, it wasn't approved for use in the US by the FDA until relatively recently. That means that there are still many studies being done on stevia to see how it could affect your body. One of the major positive side effects of stevia leaves, however, is that it appears to lower blood pressure. This can be beneficial when it is used properly. However, stevia doesn't always safely lower blood pressure. Because so little is currently known about this sweetner, you should consult a doctor if you plan to use it to help lower your blood pressure. Low blood pressure is actually just as bad for you as high blood pressure. Low blood pressure can cause fatigue, weakness and lightheadedness. However, you can avoid these symptoms by talking to your doctor. She may agree that stevia can help you or she may be able to recommend something that will lower your blood pressure more safely.

Dealing With Other Side Effects Of Stevia

While stevia can be used to lower your blood pressure, another problem that you'll face with it is that so little is known about its long-term effects. Some studies done on rats suggested that stevia could actually be a carcinogen and cause cancer later in life. However, stevia has not been used in the US for long enough to prove or disprove this theory. Likewise, stevia is a no-calorie sweetener that may actually cause you to gain weight over time because it tricks your body into thinking that calories are coming but never delivers. This causes you to overeat. As a result, you could actually pack on pounds that cause your blood pressure to rise anyway. So taking stevia may not be the best thing for you to take.

Using Stevia Safely

Again, the best way to determine whether or not stevia is right for you is to talk to your doctor about how you can use a better diet, more exercise and supplements like stevia to help bring your blood pressure back down. It's the only way to make sure that you stay as safe and as healthy as possible.