Chronic consumption of rebaudioside A, a steviol glycoside, in men and women with type 2 diabetes mellitus

This trial evaluated the effects of 16 weeks of consumption of 1000 mg rebaudioside A (n = 60) a steviol glycoside with potential use as a sweetener, compared to placebo (n = 62) in men and women (33–75 years of age) with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mean ± standard error changes in glycosylated hemoglobin levels did not differ significantly between the rebaudioside A (0.11 ± 0.06%) and placebo (0.09 ± 0.05%; p = 0.355) groups. Changes from baseline for rebaudioside A and placebo, respectively, in fasting glucose (7.5 ± 3.7 mg/dL and 11.2 ± 4.5 mg/dL), insulin (1.0 ± 0.64 μU/mL and 3.3 ± 1.5 μU/mL), and C-peptide (0.13 ± 0.09 ng/mL and 0.42 ± 0.14 ng/mL) did not differ significantly (p > 0.05 for all). Assessments of changes in blood pressure, body weight, and fasting lipids indicated no differences by treatment. Rebaudioside A was well-tolerated, and records of hypoglycemic episodes showed no excess vs. placebo. These results suggest that chronic use of 1000 mg rebaudioside A does not alter glucose homeostasis or blood pressure in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.