Can You Use Stevia While Intermittent Fasting?
What is Stevia?
Stevia is a zero-calorie sweetener derived from a South American shrub commonly used as a sugar substitute. It has been used for centuries in South America and is now widely available in many parts of the world. It’s available in the form of a powder, liquid, or extract and is known to have a much sweeter taste than sugar. It has a number of health benefits, including reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Does Stevia Break a Fast?
Intermittent fasting is a popular dieting strategy that involves alternating cycles of eating and fasting. While fasting, the goal is to not consume any calories, which means that many people avoid sweeteners like stevia. Fortunately, consuming stevia in moderation does not break a fast. In fact, it is unlikely to interrupt or reduce any of the benefits of fasting (including fat loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and improved metabolic health).
Stevia doesn’t contain any calories and is unlikely to cause significant metabolic changes. Thus, a moderate intake of stevia is likely alright during a fast. In theory, no, stevia will not break your fast. Having that said, we wouldn’t recommend using it while fasting for the reasons mentioned above (increased hunger and cravings).
Beneficial Effects of Stevia During Intermittent Fasting
Although stevia won’t break a fast, it may still have some benefits during intermittent fasting. One of the most important benefits of stevia is its ability to help reduce hunger and cravings, which can make it easier to stick to your fasting schedule. Additionally, it can help enhance the flavor of your food and drinks without adding any calories.
Things to Remember When Using Stevia During Intermittent Fasting
It’s important to remember that while stevia does not affect intermittent fasting, add-ins like milk, sugar, cream, and other ingredients that contain calories can end up breaking a fast. So, if you’re adding stevia to something that does contain calories, you’ll want to make sure that the total caloric intake for the meal or snack doesn’t exceed your fasting window.
Conclusion
We’ve got good news! Yes, you can use stevia while intermittent fasting. As it contains zero calories, stevia is practically the only sweetener that won’t break your fast. Just remember that while stevia does not affect intermittent fasting, add-ins like milk, sugar, cream, and other ingredients that contain calories can end up breaking a fast. So, if you’re adding stevia to something that does contain calories, you’ll want to make sure that the total caloric intake for the meal or snack doesn’t exceed your fasting window.
Can stevia be consumed during intermittent fasting?
Stevia has no calories and doesn’t seem to affect metabolism significantly, so it’s probably safe to consume it in moderation while doing a fast.
Does consuming stevia interrupt a fast?
Many people practice fasting in order to benefit from the process of autophagy, and are careful to not consume anything that would break their fast. Fortunately, consuming stevia in moderation will not have any negative effect on fasting, and should not interrupt or reduce the benefits of fasting (including ketosis).
Which artificial sweetener can be consumed during intermittent fasting?
The conclusion is that certain artificial sweeteners can be consumed while fasting, but not all of them. Sweeteners such as Stevia, Splenda, and Equal are suitable since they are zero-calorie and don’t cause an insulin response or an increase in sugar levels. Therefore, it is acceptable to add these sweeteners to coffee or diet soda if desired.
Which sweetener can be consumed without disrupting intermittent fasting?
Artificial sweeteners like Stevia, Swerve, Aspartame, and Splenda will not interfere with a fast, since they don’t seem to trigger the release of insulin or affect blood sugar levels. However, some people may choose to avoid them for other health reasons. Cinnamon, on the other hand, does not break a fast and may even increase insulin sensitivity.
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