PCSI Advisor Presents on the Role of Stevia in Diabetes and Obesity at China Diabetes Summit

Dr. Khor Geok Lin, Emeritus Professor of the University Putra Malaysia and member of the Advisory board of the PureCircle Stevia Institute presented on the “Beneficial Role of Sweeteners and Stevia in combating Obesity and Diabetes” at, the China Diabetes Prevention and Rehabilitation & Health Industry Development Summit on October 15, 2016.

She noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally, more than 422 million adults are diabetic and this number continues to rise. According to the WHO however, adults can reduce their risk of type-2 diabetes, improve insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake with adequate physical activity and a healthy diet. Stevia is a natural origin and being a zero-calorie sweetener that can help reduce energy and sugar intake through its use in reduced-calorie, reduced sugar foods across the world, which can make a difference in efforts to reduce the risk of overweight and diabetes. The PureCircle Stevia Institute was a partner with the China Association for Diabetes Prevention & Rehabilitation on this China Diabetes Health Industry Development Summit in Beijing, China.

Beneficial role of sweeteners and stevia in combating obesity and diabetes

Khor Geok Lin, PhD¹ and Priscilla Samuel, PhD²

¹Emeritus Professor, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

²Director, PureCircle Stevia Institute, USA

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally, 422 million adults over the age of 18 years were diabetic in 2014, and diabetes continues to be on the rise. According to the International Federation of Diabetes, China had 109 million cases of diabetes in 2015. In addition, about one in three adults over the age of 18 years were overweight in China, a risk factor of diabetes. According to the WHO, adults can reduce their risk of type-2 diabetes, improve insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake with adequate physical activity and a healthy diet. Further, the WHO recommends that the intake of free sugars be less than 10% of total energy intake and suggests a further reduction to 5% of energy for additional health benefits. For those living with diabetes, blood glucose control is critical to staying healthy. Among the approaches to energy and sugar reduction is the use of low and/or no-energy sweeteners (LNES) to replace or partially replace free sugars in foods and beverages. Stevia leaf extract is a zero-calorie sweetener that has been approved by all major regulatory bodies around the world, it does not contain any carbohydrates and research to date has clearly shown that it does not raise blood glucose. In addition, a recent meta-analysis of studies on LNES and energy intake, points to strong evidence in favour of the consumption of LNES in place of sugar to help reduce both energy intake and body weight. This presentation will include an overview of the science and beneficial role of stevia and sweeteners in energy and sugar reduction that can help with reducing the risk of overweight, obesity and diabetes.

Abstract PDF

Khor GL and Samuel P Abstract CADPR Health Industry Dev Summit China-Oct2016