Originally Posted by
Ooompa Loompa
I'm neither a scientist nor a doctor, but it's my understanding that stevia is just an herb, so the long term health effects are likely about the same as any other herb like basil, mint or parsley.
Really? Herbs and plants contain potent chemicals which have effects on the body. Some are tasty. Some are medicinal. Some are toxic.
Some plants with medicinal effects have a wide therapeutic range. That is, a little bit is tasty. More is perhaps therapeutic -- like Basil is said to be for gastric distress. For these, it's hard to overdose -- you cant really eat enough to hurt yourself.
Heart failure patients take digitalis. It comes from a flower. Too much and you die. A very narrow therpeutic range. I'm not sure if the flower is even tasty.
The fact that stuff comes from a plant does not mean it is healthy or safe. Would you eat poison ivy? Amanita Phalloides?