Metabolic Effects of Stevia in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Effects of Stevia on Glycaemic Profile and Insulin Secretion of Type 2 Diabetic Patients

The main aim of the study is to assess the short term and 1-month metabolic effects of Stevia rebaudiana bertoni in patients with type 2 diabetes.

This is a non-randomized clinical trial in a type 2 diabetic population aiming to investigate the effect of Stevia rebaudiana bertoni on the glycaemic and insulin secretory response to a mixed meal tolerance test, insulin sensitivity and lipid profile. The study has two arms including an intervention arm (test group) and a non-intervention arm (controls) matched for age, sex and body mass index in 2:1 ratio.

The intervention is made of two phases including

1. A mixed meal tolerance test with and without 240 mg of Stevia in a randomized order to evaluate the acute effects;
2. An oral intake of 240 mg of Stevia within 30 days as food supplement in order to assess medium-term effects

Inclusion Criteria:

• Known type 2 diabetes
• Unchanged hypoglycaemic treatment for at least 3 months prior to inclusion
• No acute complication of diabetes
• HbA1C≤ 8%

Exclusion Criteria:

• Infection up to 10 days prior to inclusion
• Serum ALAT >3N,
• MDRD estimated creatinine clearance <60ml/min
• Tobacco smoking