We need to talk about this controversial question. Does stevia break intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting is the practice that helped me reach my goal of losing over 100 pounds…and I did it using stevia! But one question that often comes up is whether stevia or monk fruit will break a fast. In this post, we’ll explain why I use it and why I don’t think it will impact your fast- and instead help you adhere to it!
WHAT HAPPENS IN A FASTED STATE?
First, let’s understand what happens to our body during a fast. When we fast, our body switches from using glucose as its primary source of energy to using stored fat. This process is called ketosis and it’s what allows us to burn fat for energy. However, when we consume food or supplements that contain calories, our body will switch back to using glucose as its primary source of energy, which can disrupt the process of ketosis.
WHAT’S STEVIA?
Now, let’s talk about stevia. Stevia is a natural sweetener that is derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It’s considered to be a safe alternative to sugar and other artificial sweeteners because it doesn’t contain any calories or carbohydrates. This means that stevia won’t raise blood sugar levels, and it won’t disrupt the process of ketosis.
In fact, several studies have shown that stevia is safe to consume during a fast. A study published in the Journal “Metabolism” in 2013 found that consuming stevia during a fast did not affect blood sugar levels or insulin levels. Another study published in the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” in 2018 found that stevia had no significant impact on the rate of fat loss during a fast.
HERE’S MY TAKE:
So, to answer the question of whether stevia will break a fast, MY ANSWER is NO. Stevia is a safe and effective sweetener that can be consumed during a fast without disrupting the process of ketosis. However, it’s important to note that other sweeteners, like sugar, honey, and other artificial sweeteners, should be avoided during a fast as they will disrupt the process of ketosis.
Make sure to choose a high-quality, pure product! Some stevia brands have sugar alcohols and weird ingredients that could disrupt your fast.
