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Effects of stevia consumption on appetite in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

  • 2025-01-30
  • Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity 26(6)
    • Marzieh Zare
    • Mobina Zeinalabedini
    • Soraiya Ebrahimpour-Koujan
    • Leila Azadbakht

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Sample size
n = 428
Population
428 adults from 11 clinical trials
Methods
Systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar; independent screening, quality assessment, data extraction; GRADE assessment
Stevia is an intense, calorie-free sweetener that is frequently used to reduce energy intake; however, studies examining its effects on appetite and energy intake have produced mixed results, indicating that a definitive consensus has not yet been reached. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the impact of stevia on appetite and energy intake in adults. The PROSPERO registration number for this research is CRD42023414411. The databases PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were systematically searched. In addition, the reference lists of extracted articles and pertinent reviews were examined. Two evaluators performed screening, quality assessment, and data extraction independently. Furthermore, the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach was employed to systematically assess the certainty level of the evidence presented in our study. Eleven clinical trials with a total of 428 participants were included. We found no significant changes in any appetite scores following stevia consumption (very low to moderate certainty of the evidence). Moreover, subgroup analyses demonstrated the scores of desires to eat increased significantly in the oral intake of stevia and not enteral intake subgroup (WMD: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.009, 0.89; P = 0.046). In addition, the number of studies reporting energy intake was limited, preventing a meta-analysis of this variable. In conclusion, stevia consumption has no significant effect on appetite scores in adults but it seems that more long-term clinical trials are needed to obtain more accurate results. PRACTITIONER POINT: Stevia, as a non-nutritive sweetener, has no significant effect on appetite scores in adults.

Research Insights

  • Stevia→Reduced Appetite

    subgroup analyses demonstrated the scores of desires to eat increased significantly in the oral intake of stevia and not enteral intake subgroup (WMD: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.009, 0.89; P = 0.046)

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Stevia→Reduced Energy Intake

    the number of studies reporting energy intake was limited, preventing a meta-analysis of this variable

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
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