Irma Rahayu Latarissa, Melisa Intan Barliana, Keri Lestari

Abstract

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. is a non-calorie natural sweetener that has been used for hundreds of years. Stevia has 250-300 times the sweetness of sucrose because of the content of steviol glycosides found in stevia leaves. There are many studies on the health benefits of stevia such as antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-hyperlipidemia, antiobesity, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, improve liver and kidney function. There have been no reports on the adverse effects of stevia on human health, therefore stevia has the potential to be developed into functional food with many health benefits. The main objective of this review article was to summarize the various benefits of stevia in health and the mechanisms that occur for each effect of Stevia.