Stevia and nephrotoxicity?

[Guest guest]

Now here is something that is a little mindblowing to me...

I've always found stevia to be a totally safe alternative to sugar as a

sweetener. In fact, it is my sweetener of choice in my tea and coffee.

However, while on the HCG diet, I suffered from flank pain, which has

developed into a low-grade kidney infection. I was drinking chai tea

with stevia in it every day, several times a day. A high protein diet

is also hard on the kidneys, and lots of water is a must.

Then I found this:

http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/hurtful-food-stevia-warning.html

" Many health gurus recommend substituting Stevia in place of artificial

sweeteners. Stevia is natural and its use is permitted in Japan and

other countries. Despite its widespread use, there is a surprising lack

of human clinical trials evaluating its safety. Unlike with saccharin,

no evidence has been reported that stevioside and its metabolites are

carcinogenic.

However, animal reports of nephrotoxicity do exist, which suggest that

Stevia is likely safer than the other sweeteners, but not entirely

without risk.1 The extent of risk is unknown at this time. "

I still believe that stevia is a safe alternative to sugar, but there

are certainly questions in MY mind about consuming way too much of it

and kidney health. Just a thought....wanted to share..

Patty