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It’s nearly impossible to keep up with ideas about what is “healthy” and “not healthy” — and when you bring fertility into the mix? Well, it becomes even more confusing to keep track of all the ideas about what can help, what can hurt, and what is worth thinking (or, well, stressing) about, and which lifestyle choices are worth reevaluating.
And then, of course, there’s the legwork of researching whether or not there’s any validity to some of the ideas you see online. Sigh.
Which brings us to stevia, which many people love as a “healthier”, calorie-free sweetener. Maybe you’ve started to incorporate stevia in place of sugar and have fallen in love with it as a “better for you” option (more on that below!), only to hear that stevia can harm fertility.
Here’s the real story.
Is there any truth to this, though?
Can adding a bit of stevia to, say, your morning coffee really have a measurably negative effect on your ability to get pregnant?
Probably not, according to Anna Bohnengel, a registered dietician and founder of Fertility Nutritionist.
But let’s back it up a bit
There’s this idea that stevia can be bad for reproductive health — and it’s not an idea that’s been plucked out of thin air.
One animal study showed reduced fertility in rats who consumed high doses of stevia. But for humans who consume moderate amounts of the stuff? There doesn’t appear to be a link.
“There’s a lot of buzz around stevia and fertility, but the current evidence doesn’t support the idea that small to moderate intake of stevia harms human fertility,” says Bohnengel.
What the research tells us about stevia and fertility
“Animal studies have shown mixed results,” says Bohnengel. “For example, one early study in rats suggested that high doses of stevia extract might reduce fertility. But these studies often use extremely high amounts (100–500 times higher than what humans would consume from food or supplements) far beyond what any person would realistically consume.”
It’s worth remembering, too, that findings from animal studies don’t always apply to humans. And according to Bohnengel, human studies on this topic are limited.
“We don't have any direct human fertility trials looking at the impact of stevia on reproductive health,” she says. “Ultimately, there's no clear evidence that stevia impairs fertility in women or men at typical dietary levels.”
Where did this idea originate?
Of course, that animal study’s findings likely contributed to the idea that stevia can harm fertility, but is there any other connection here?
“The hypothesized risk is based on mechanisms observed in early research, though none have been proven in humans,” says Bohnengel.
According to the expert, there are some potential reasons for this link. “Certain compounds in unrefined stevia like steviol glycosides, may interact with hormone receptors (e.g., estrogen receptors), leading to changes in ovarian function or menstrual cycling (as seen in some early rat studies),” says Bohnengel.
Another thing to note: Most of the concerning findings are related to the unpurified product, but today’s commercial stevia sweeteners are highly purified, which means this effect likely doesn’t hold up.
“Regulatory bodies like the FDA and EFSA have reviewed purified stevia and found no evidence of reproductive toxicity in mammals at normal human consumption levels,” adds Bohnengel.
Could stevia affect gut health?
Well, maybe… which may in turn affect fertility.
“Another plausible explanation is how non-nutritive sweeteners, including stevia, may alter the gut microbiome, which plays a role in estrogen recycling and detoxification,” says Bohnengel.
“A disrupted microbiome could, in theory, impact estrogen balance and fertility, although no conclusive evidence links stevia to this effect yet,” she adds.
The operative words here? May. Could. Plausible. There’s no hard evidence to indicate that these links exist in humans.
So what should someone who regularly consumes stevia and wants to get pregnant do?
First of all: Take a deep breath. There’s no need to alarm yourself over this.
“If you regularly use stevia and are trying to get pregnant, there’s no need to panic, but it may be worth reassessing your intake, just to make sure it's not excessive,” says Bohnengel. “A lot of diet and low-calorie ‘natural’ products, like probiotic drinks and protein powders are now sweetened with stevia, so you may be consuming more than you realize.”
The bottom line on stevia and fertility
As is typically the case, moderation is key here. A bit of stevia will likely not do a thing, and there are benefits to using stevia as your sweetener of choice. Stevia has no calories, no impact on blood sugar or insulin, and may even help reduce sugar cravings.
With that being said, it’s not all good. “Stevia is likely safe in small amounts (e.g., 1–2 servings/day), but overuse or reliance may have unintended effects, especially on digestion, cravings, and microbiome balance,” says Bohnengel. “If your goal is optimal fertility and hormone health, it's wise to treat all sweeteners (even ‘natural’ ones) as occasional, mindful tools, not daily staples.”
“While current research suggests that moderate use of purified stevia is safe and unlikely to impact fertility, it’s wise to be intentional about everything you consume,” she adds. “I encourage focusing on choosing whole, nutrient-dense foods that support hormone balance and blood sugar stability. Whole fruit with all its fiber and antioxidants is a great way to hit the sweet spot, without a hit to your health. If you’re unsure, working with a fertility-focused dietitian can help personalize your approach.”
Zara Hanawalt is a freelance journalist and mom of twins. She's written for outlets like Parents, MarieClaire, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Motherly, and many others. In her (admittedly limited!) free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, trying new restaurants, and traveling with her family.