Evaluation of Subchronic Oral Stevia Supplementation on Haematological Parameters and Serum Metabolic Profile in Male Wistar Rats

Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko; Juliet Elohor Okorodudu; Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham; Anthonia Chigozie Okafor; Precious Whiskey Ikete; Jennifer Chioma Okeke; Dagbota Dan-Jumbo; Edith Reuben; Price Paul Kwaku Joffa

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Evaluation of Subchronic Oral Stevia Supplementation on Haematological Parameters and Serum Metabolic Profile in Male Wistar Rats

Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko^*

, Juliet Elohor Okorodudu

, Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham

, Anthonia Chigozie Okafor

, Precious Whiskey Ikete

, Jennifer Chioma Okeke

, Dagbota Dan-Jumbo

, Edith Reuben

, Price Paul Kwaku Joffa

Published in Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences (Volume 14, Issue 2)

Received: 19 March 2026 Accepted: 30 March 2026 Published: 13 April 2026

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Abstract

The rising global burden of metabolic disorders has driven increased consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia as sugar substitutes. While purified steviol glycosides are generally recognised as safe, commercially available stevia products often contain multiple additional ingredients whose combined effects remain inadequately characterised. This study evaluated the subchronic effects of a commercial stevia sweetener on haematological and metabolic parameters in healthy male Wistar rats. Fifteen (15) adult male Wistar (180-200 g) rats were randomly assigned to three groups (n=5 per group): control (distilled water), low-dose stevia (200 mg/kg), and high-dose stevia (400 mg/kg). Treatments were administered daily by oral gavage for eight weeks. Haematological parameters were analysed using an automated haematology analyser, while lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and insulin were measured spectrophotometrically using standard kits. Stevia supplementation significantly reduced packed cell volume at both doses (p<0.05). The 400 mg/kg dose increased total white blood cell count and reduced platelet count (p<0.05). Monocyte and eosinophil percentages increased at 400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively (p<0.05). Metabolically, both doses significantly reduced insulin levels and HOMA-IR values while paradoxically elevating fasting blood glucose (p<0.05). The 400 mg/kg dose significantly increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins (p<0.05). Evidence from the present study has shown that subchronic commercial stevia supplementation improved insulin sensitivity in healthy rats but concurrently induced haematological and metabolic stress, manifesting as reduced packed cell volume, leukocytosis, hyperglycaemia, and dyslipidaemia. These findings underscore the critical influence of dose and duration context and highlight the need for stevia-based products formulated with fewer potentially harmful additives. The dissociation between improved insulin sensitivity and worsened metabolic control suggests that multiple ingredients may exert opposing effects, warranting further investigation into commercial formulations rather than assuming equivalence to purified steviol glycosides.

Published in	Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences (Volume 14, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17
Page(s)	162-169
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Stevia, Stevia Glycosides, Haematological Parameters, Lipid Profile, Blood Sugar, Insulin

1. Introduction

The escalating global burden of metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes, is strongly linked to excessive consumption of added sugars. This has prompted a significant dietary shift towards low-calorie and non-nutritive sweeteners as sugar substitutes. By providing sweetness without a significant glycaemic or caloric load, these sweeteners are strategic alternatives designed to mitigate the adverse metabolic effects of high sugar intake

[1, 2]

. For centuries, the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a perennial shrub native to South America, particularly Paraguay, Brazil, and parts of Argentina, have emerged as a prominent "natural" high-intensity sweetener

[3, 4]

. Stevia, often called sweet leaf or honey leaf, is a distinctive member of the Asteraceae family, as the only species in the genus Stevia whose leaves contain significant concentrations of natural sweetening compounds, known as steviol glycosides. These glycosides confer an intense sweetness, making the leaves 30 to 300 times sweeter than sucrose, depending on the specific compound

[3, 5, 6]

. To date, more than 40 different steviol glycosides have been identified in the Stevia leaf, each with a unique sweetness profile and potency. The most abundant and significant glycosides include: Stevioside, Rebaudiosides (Reb A, C, D, F and M), Dulcoside A and Steviolbioside

[3, 7, 8]

. Steviol glycosides are not metabolised for energy in the human body. They transit the upper gastrointestinal tract largely intact until they reach the colon, where gut microbiota hydrolyse the glycosidic bonds, cleaving off the glucose moieties to release the aglycone core, steviol. This liberated steviol is then absorbed into the portal circulation, conjugated in the liver and excreted via the kidneys in the urine

[3, 9, 10]

. This unique metabolic pathway is the mechanism responsible for stevia's negligible caloric value and its neutral effect on postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels.

Stevia is extensively utilised in the food and beverage industry as a key ingredient in "diet," "light," and "sugar-free" products, including soft drinks, fruit juices, flavoured waters, yoghurts, chewing gum, and confectionery. It is also prevalent as a tabletop sweetener in domestic settings for beverages like coffee, tea, and cereals. Similarly, the pharmaceutical industries employ stevia to effectively mask the bitter taste of active ingredients in syrups, lozenges, chewable tablets, toothpaste, and mouthwash, leveraging its sweetening power without promoting dental caries

[5, 6, 10]

. Aside from their use as sweeteners, stevia is also consumed for its perceived therapeutic benefits, including the treatment of stomach ache, hypertension, dental caries, oxidative stress and glycaemic control

[11-14]

The widespread use of Stevia in homes and industry has led to extensive scientific evaluation of its safety. Several regulatory agencies have approved purified forms, which typically contain at least 95% steviol glycosides. However, crude, unpurified stevia extracts have been linked to adverse effects, including renal and reproductive toxicities, as well as gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating, gas, nausea, and diarrhoea

[5, 10, 14]

. A critical knowledge gap remains regarding the safety profile of commercially available, branded stevia sweeteners and the form in which the stevia sweeteners are consumed by the public. These market formulations are complex mixtures that contain, in addition to stevia extract, various additives such as bulking agents, stabilisers, gelling agents and flavouring

[6]

. While the impact of stevia on glycemia is relatively well-documented, systematic investigations into its effects on the haematological system and a broader metabolic profile, including lipid metabolism and organ function biomarkers, are less comprehensive. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of subchronic supplementation with a commercially available stevia sweetener on the haematological and metabolic profiles of male Wistar rats, thereby bridging the gap between data on purified steviol glycosides and real-world consumer stevia-branded sweetener.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Research Animals and Husbandry

Fifteen (15) male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), aged 8-10 weeks and weighing between 180-200 g at the start of the experiment, were used in this study. The animals were housed in polypropylene cages under standard laboratory conditions, maintained at a temperature of 22 ± 2°C with a 12-hour light/dark cycle and a relative humidity of 50-60%. They were provided with a standard commercial pellet diet and water ad libitum throughout the acclimatisation and experimental periods.

2.2. Preparation and Administration of Stevia

The stevia-based sweetener used in this study was a commercially available product purchased from a local retail supplier. According to the product label, the formulation contained a blend of natural stevia extract (33 mg/kg) together with chromium picolinate (15 mcg), sorbitol (16 g/kg), acesulfame-K (173 mg/kg), and sucralose (74 mg/kg). Carboxymethyl cellulose was included as a stabiliser. The product is representative of commonly available stevia-based sweeteners in the regional market. Stevia solution was freshly prepared on each day by dissolving the required amount in distilled water to achieve the desired concentrations.

2.3. Experimental Design

After a one-week acclimatisation period, the animals were randomly divided into three experimental groups consisting of five (5) rats per group. Group 1 served as the control and received distilled water, while groups 2 and 3 received a freshly prepared stevia mixture at 200 and 400 mg/kg. The administration was by oral gavage once daily for eight weeks.

2.4. Sample Collection and Laboratory Analysis

Following an overnight fast, animals were anaesthetised with ketamine (50 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture and divided into two aliquots: one into EDTA tubes for haematological analysis, and the other into plain tubes for serum separation and biochemical assays. Haematological parameters were determined using an automated haematology analyser (Mindray BC-2800). Fasting blood glucose levels were measured immediately using a Finetest auto-coding premium glucose meter (DOOSAN, South Korea).

For biochemical analysis, blood collected in plain tubes was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes to obtain serum. Lipid profile parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), as well as insulin levels, were assayed using standard laboratory test kits (Agappe, Switzerland) following established spectrophotometric procedures. Insulin resistance was estimated using the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), calculated according to the standard formula: Fasting insulin (μU/mL)× Fasting glucose (mmol/L)/22.5. Where the 22.5 represents the product of normal fasting insulin (5 μU/mL) and normal fasting glucose (4.5 mmol/L)

[15, 16]

2.5. Ethical Considerations

The study was conducted in accordance with the prevailing guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals

[17, 18]

. The experimental research design and procedures were approved by the University of Port Harcourt Ethics Committee (UPH/CEREMAD/REC/MM113/045).

2.6. Statistical Analysis

All statistical analyses were performed with IBM SPSS Statistics, version 26. Results are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). Differences among groups were evaluated using one-way ANOVA, with subsequent pairwise comparisons performed by the LSD post hoc test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

3. Results

Table 1. Effect of subchronic stevia supplementation on Haematological parameters of Male Wistar Rats.

Parameters	Control n=5	200 mg/kg Stevia n=5	400 mg/kg Stevia n=5
Red blood cell count (x1012/L)	7.80±0.22	7.38±0.39	7.08±0.34
Haemoglobin conc. (g/dI)	14.14±0.26	13.70±0.68	13.08±0.18
Packed cell volume (%)	45.00±0.55	40.20±1.46*	39.40±0.68*
Total white blood cell count (x109/L)	11.32±1.20	11.44±2.88	15.08±0.86*
Neutrophil (%)	12.60±5.47	10.80±5.45	10.80±1.80
Lymphocytes (%)	83.60±5.56	83.80±7.06	83.80±1.80
Monocyte (%)	2.80±0.20	3.60±1.33	3.80*±0.37
Eosinophil (%)	1.00±0.00	1.80±0.37*	1.60±0.24
Platelet (x109/L)	836.80±31.99	780.00±15.84	550.79±138.82*

Values are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) for five animals per group

*Statistically significant compared to control

Table 1 presents the effects of sub-chronic stevia supplementation at two doses (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) on haematological parameters in male Wistar rats. Data show that stevia supplementation resulted in a dose-dependent significant decrease in packed cell volume (PCV), with both treatment groups showing significantly lower values than the control (p < 0.05). The 400 mg/kg group also showed a significant increase in total white blood cell count and a significant reduction in platelet count. Monocyte and eosinophil percentages increased significantly in the 400 and 200 mg/kg dosage, respectively. Other parameters, including red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, and differential leukocyte counts (neutrophils, lymphocytes), showed no statistically significant changes between groups.

Table 2. Effect of subchronic stevia supplementation on metabolic parameters of male Wistar Rats.

Parameters	Control n=5	200 mg/kg Stevia n=5	400 mg/kg Stevia n=5
Total Cholesterol (mmol/L)	2.92±0.17	3.10±0.12	3.38±0.10*
Triglycerides (mmol/L)	1.15±0.06	1.18±0.05	1.32±0.02*
High-Density Lipoprotein (mmol/L)	1.22±0.06	1.28±0.04	1.31±0.03
Low-Density Lipoprotein (mmol/L)	1.18±0.11	1.29±0.05	1.37±0.08*
Fasting Blood Sugar (mmol/L)	3.64±0.19	4.70±0.19*	5.02±0.29*
HOMA-IR	0.38±0.02	0.32±0.02*	0.31±0.01*
Insulin (µU/mL)	2.37±0.02	1.53±0.05*	1.40±0.01*

HOMA-IR: Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance

Values are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) for five animals per group

*Statistically significant compared to control

Table 2 summarises the effects of sub-chronic stevia supplementation on metabolic parameters in male Wistar rats. Oral stevia supplementation at 400 mg/kg significantly increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels compared to the control (p < 0.05). Both doses of stevia resulted in a significant elevation in fasting blood sugar and a significant reduction in both insulin levels and HOMA-IR values. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol remained unchanged across all groups.

4. Discussion

The increasing worldwide incidence of metabolic disorders has driven a significant transition towards the use of low-calorie and non-nutritive sweeteners as substitutes for sugar, offering palatable sweetness without imposing a considerable glycaemic or caloric burden. The present study evaluated the effects of sub-chronic administration of a commercially available stevia-based sweetener on the haematological and metabolic parameters of male Wistar rats.

4.1. Effects on Haematological Parameters

The haematological profile of stevia-treated rats showed several significant alterations. Packed cell volume (PCV) decreased significantly in both treatment groups (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) compared to controls (p<0.05), with a similar but non-significant declining trend observed in red blood cell counts and haemoglobin concentration. This reduction in erythrocyte parameters could be attributed to several physiological mechanisms. One possibility is haemodilution resulting from increased plasma volume, which may occur due to the osmotic effects of stevia glycosides or its metabolites

[19]

. Haemodilution involves reduced haemoglobin and packed cell volume due to expanded plasma volume, with red cell mass unchanged, typically following osmotically active fluid administration

[20, 21]

. Steviol glycosides are poorly absorbed in the upper gut but are metabolised by colonic microbiota to steviol, which is absorbed and glucuronidated in the liver. At high doses, these compounds or their metabolites may exert osmotic effects, promoting fluid shifts that expand plasma volume and dilute cellular blood components

[5, 19, 22]

. The product's high sorbitol content (16 g/kg) is particularly relevant, as this poorly absorbed polyol exerts considerable osmotic effects within the intestinal lumen, promoting fluid shifts into the extracellular compartment and expanding plasma volume

[23-25]

. Furthermore, chromium picolinate (15 mcg) has been shown to influence haematological parameters in animal studies, with reports showing significantly altered packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration

[26, 27]

. Also, the combination of other artificial sweeteners, including acesulfame-K and sucralose, along with carboxymethyl cellulose as a stabiliser, may also contribute to alterations in gut microbiota composition, potentially affecting the metabolism of steviol glycosides and the absorption of nutrients essential for erythropoiesis. At the relatively high doses, these compounds may exert synergistic osmotic and metabolic effects that collectively influence haematological homeostasis. Furthermore, these observed haematological changes may reflect an influence of stevia and its blended components on erythrocyte homeostasis, either through enhanced membrane stability leading to reduced cell turnover, or via a mild suppressive effect on bone marrow erythropoietic activity. These findings contrast with those of Ahmad et al. (2020), who reported significant increases in red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, and haematocrit in normal rats following eight weeks of stevia extract administration at comparable doses

[28]

. However, Rashid et al. (2024) reported increased RBC counts specifically in diabetic rats, suggesting that the haematological response to stevia may be modulated by the underlying physiological state of the animal

[29]

The present study demonstrated a significant increase in total white blood cell count at 400 mg/kg, along with elevated monocyte and eosinophil percentages at 400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively, among animals supplemented with the commercial stevia preparation. These findings suggest possible immunomodulatory effects of the product in healthy rats. The observed leukocytosis likely stems from multiple constituents of the stevia sweetener. Steviol glycosides are known to exert immunostimulatory effects; Ahmad et al. (2020)

[5]

reported significant increases in total white blood cell count in normal rats treated with aqueous stevia extract

[5]

, corroborating the present finding at the higher dose. Also, sucralose has been shown to influence immune parameters by suppressing beneficial gut bacteria, impairing T-cell function, and enhancing monocyte populations

[5, 28]

. Furthermore, the presence of chromium picolinate, sorbitol, and carboxymethyl cellulose raises the possibility of a mild hypersensitivity reaction, which may contribute to the observed alterations in leukocyte dynamics

[26, 30-32]

. These findings contrast with those of Rashid et al. (2024), who observed decreased white blood cell counts in diabetic rats treated with stevia

[29]

. Platelet count demonstrated a marked and significant reduction in the 400 mg/kg group. This thrombocytopenic effect could stem from suppressed megakaryocyte activity in the bone marrow, or from enhanced peripheral platelet consumption or aggregation. Ahmad et al. (2020)

[28]

reported a non-significant decreasing trend in platelets, suggesting that the present study captured a more pronounced, dose-dependent manifestation of this effect. Similarly, Rashid et al. (2024)

[29]

observed decreased platelet counts in diabetic rats treated with stevia.

4.2. Effects on Metabolic Parameters

Stevia supplementation produced significant reductions in insulin levels and HOMA-IR values at both doses, indicating improved insulin sensitivity, yet this was accompanied by dose-dependent increases in fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol. Sweet-tasting compounds trigger cephalic phase insulin release (CPIR), an anticipatory response where the brain signals pancreatic beta-cells to release insulin in preparation for an expected glucose load. However, chronic consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners may have disrupted the predictive relationship between sweet taste and caloric load, a phenomenon termed the "sweet uncoupling hypothesis”. Consequently, the conditioned insulin response progressively dampens over time, reducing insulin release

[33-35]

. The homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is a widely used measure of insulin sensitivity, calculated from fasting insulin and fasting glucose

[15]

. While a reduction in HOMA-IR typically signifies improved insulin sensitivity, the coexistence of reduced HOMA-IR with elevated fasting glucose in the present study suggests that the observed decline reflects impaired insulin secretion rather than true enhancement of peripheral insulin sensitivity. Reduced insulin and HOMA-IR align with chromium picolinate's insulin-sensitising properties as chromium has been shown to enhance the translocation of glucose transporter (GLUT-4) and the modulation of plasma membrane cholesterol homeostasis, hence improving insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis

[36-38]

. A similar mixed sweetener containing chromium and sorbitol was shown to aid weight loss, lower fasting blood glucose, and enhance hexokinase activity in diabetic rats

[39]

. This observed increased fasting blood glucose may represent a compensatory physiological response in healthy animals. The significant reduction in circulating insulin, driven by chromium picolinate's insulin-sensitising effects, may have triggered a counter-regulatory increase in hepatic glucose production to maintain normal blood glucose concentration. In healthy animals with normal pancreatic function, enhanced peripheral insulin sensitivity reduces the insulin secretory demand on beta cells, leading to lower circulating insulin levels. However, if hepatic glucose output is not appropriately downregulated in parallel, fasting glucose may rise despite improved peripheral insulin sensitivity

[40-42]

. Chronic sucralose exposure may impair glucose metabolism by altering gut bacteria, disrupting insulin signalling, or interfering with cephalic-phase insulin responses, leading to elevated fasting glucose and insulin resistance

[43, 44]

The elevated lipid profile at 400 mg/kg may reflect a metabolic stress response in healthy rats. High-dose consumption of multiple sweetener components likely exceeded a threshold, triggering compensatory adaptations that overshadowed their individual beneficial effects. The unchanged HDL cholesterol levels across all groups suggest that the product's components did not adversely affect this cardio-protective lipoprotein fraction, consistent with findings from Cefalu et al. (2002)

[36]

who reported increased HDL in chromium-treated obese rats. It was further reported that chromium picolinate-treated obese rats had lower plasma total cholesterol and higher HDL levels compared to untreated obese controls, in contrast to our present finding. Also, Sahin et al. (2007)

[37]

observed significant reductions in total cholesterol and triglycerides with chromium picolinate supplementation in diabetic rats. Similarly, stevioside or rebaudioside A in high-fat/STZ diabetic rats normalised hyperlipidemia with no adverse impact on glucose, insulin, or HOMA-IR, while mitigating organ damage

[45, 46]

5. Conclusion

This study shows that subchronic commercial stevia supplementation in healthy rats improved insulin sensitivity but concurrently induced haematological and metabolic stress, manifesting as reduced packed cell volume, elevated fasting glucose, white blood cells and dyslipidaemia. The current evidence highlights the critical influence of dose and duration, and underscores the need for stevia-based products formulated with fewer potentially harmful additives.

Abbreviations

HOMA-IR	Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance
TC	Total Cholesterol
HDL	High-density Lipoprotein
LDL	Low-density Lipoprotein
TG	Triglycerides
ANOVA	Analysis of Variance
SEM	Standard Error of the Mean
PCV	Packed Cell Volume
CPIR	Cephalic Phase Insulin Release
STZ	Streptozotocin

Author Contributions

Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko: Conceptualisation, Supervision, Wrting – original draft, Writing – review & editing

Juliet Elohor Okorodudu: Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Resources

Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham: Funding acquisition, Investigation, Methodology

Anthonia Chigozie Okafor: Funding acquisition, Resources, Formal Analysis

Precious Whiskey Ikete: Funding acquisition, Investigation, Methodology

Jennifer Chioma Okeke: Formal Analysis, Funding acquisition, Resources

Dagbota Dan-Jumbo: Investigation, Methodology

Edith Reuben: Investigation, Methodology, Project Administration

Price Paul Kwaku Joffa: Supervision, Validation

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Chinko, B. C., Okorodudu, J. E., Nath-Abraham, C., Okafor, A. C., Ikete, P. W., et al. (2026). Evaluation of Subchronic Oral Stevia Supplementation on Haematological Parameters and Serum Metabolic Profile in Male Wistar Rats. Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 14(2), 162-169. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17

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Chinko, B. C.; Okorodudu, J. E.; Nath-Abraham, C.; Okafor, A. C.; Ikete, P. W., et al. Evaluation of Subchronic Oral Stevia Supplementation on Haematological Parameters and Serum Metabolic Profile in Male Wistar Rats. J. Food Nutr. Sci. 2026, 14(2), 162-169. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17

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Chinko BC, Okorodudu JE, Nath-Abraham C, Okafor AC, Ikete PW, et al. Evaluation of Subchronic Oral Stevia Supplementation on Haematological Parameters and Serum Metabolic Profile in Male Wistar Rats. J Food Nutr Sci. 2026;14(2):162-169. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17

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@article{10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17,
  author = {Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko and Juliet Elohor Okorodudu and Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham and Anthonia Chigozie Okafor and Precious Whiskey Ikete and Jennifer Chioma Okeke and Dagbota Dan-Jumbo and Edith Reuben and Price Paul Kwaku Joffa},
  title = {Evaluation of Subchronic Oral Stevia Supplementation on Haematological Parameters and Serum Metabolic Profile in Male Wistar Rats},
  journal = {Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {162-169},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jfns.20261402.17},
  abstract = {The rising global burden of metabolic disorders has driven increased consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia as sugar substitutes. While purified steviol glycosides are generally recognised as safe, commercially available stevia products often contain multiple additional ingredients whose combined effects remain inadequately characterised. This study evaluated the subchronic effects of a commercial stevia sweetener on haematological and metabolic parameters in healthy male Wistar rats. Fifteen (15) adult male Wistar (180-200 g) rats were randomly assigned to three groups (n=5 per group): control (distilled water), low-dose stevia (200 mg/kg), and high-dose stevia (400 mg/kg). Treatments were administered daily by oral gavage for eight weeks. Haematological parameters were analysed using an automated haematology analyser, while lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and insulin were measured spectrophotometrically using standard kits. Stevia supplementation significantly reduced packed cell volume at both doses (p<0.05). The 400 mg/kg dose increased total white blood cell count and reduced platelet count (p<0.05). Monocyte and eosinophil percentages increased at 400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively (p<0.05). Metabolically, both doses significantly reduced insulin levels and HOMA-IR values while paradoxically elevating fasting blood glucose (p<0.05). The 400 mg/kg dose significantly increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins (p<0.05). Evidence from the present study has shown that subchronic commercial stevia supplementation improved insulin sensitivity in healthy rats but concurrently induced haematological and metabolic stress, manifesting as reduced packed cell volume, leukocytosis, hyperglycaemia, and dyslipidaemia. These findings underscore the critical influence of dose and duration context and highlight the need for stevia-based products formulated with fewer potentially harmful additives. The dissociation between improved insulin sensitivity and worsened metabolic control suggests that multiple ingredients may exert opposing effects, warranting further investigation into commercial formulations rather than assuming equivalence to purified steviol glycosides.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Evaluation of Subchronic Oral Stevia Supplementation on Haematological Parameters and Serum Metabolic Profile in Male Wistar Rats
AU  - Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko
AU  - Juliet Elohor Okorodudu
AU  - Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham
AU  - Anthonia Chigozie Okafor
AU  - Precious Whiskey Ikete
AU  - Jennifer Chioma Okeke
AU  - Dagbota Dan-Jumbo
AU  - Edith Reuben
AU  - Price Paul Kwaku Joffa
Y1  - 2026/04/13
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17
T2  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
JF  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
JO  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
SP  - 162
EP  - 169
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7293
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17
AB  - The rising global burden of metabolic disorders has driven increased consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia as sugar substitutes. While purified steviol glycosides are generally recognised as safe, commercially available stevia products often contain multiple additional ingredients whose combined effects remain inadequately characterised. This study evaluated the subchronic effects of a commercial stevia sweetener on haematological and metabolic parameters in healthy male Wistar rats. Fifteen (15) adult male Wistar (180-200 g) rats were randomly assigned to three groups (n=5 per group): control (distilled water), low-dose stevia (200 mg/kg), and high-dose stevia (400 mg/kg). Treatments were administered daily by oral gavage for eight weeks. Haematological parameters were analysed using an automated haematology analyser, while lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and insulin were measured spectrophotometrically using standard kits. Stevia supplementation significantly reduced packed cell volume at both doses (p<0.05). The 400 mg/kg dose increased total white blood cell count and reduced platelet count (p<0.05). Monocyte and eosinophil percentages increased at 400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively (p<0.05). Metabolically, both doses significantly reduced insulin levels and HOMA-IR values while paradoxically elevating fasting blood glucose (p<0.05). The 400 mg/kg dose significantly increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins (p<0.05). Evidence from the present study has shown that subchronic commercial stevia supplementation improved insulin sensitivity in healthy rats but concurrently induced haematological and metabolic stress, manifesting as reduced packed cell volume, leukocytosis, hyperglycaemia, and dyslipidaemia. These findings underscore the critical influence of dose and duration context and highlight the need for stevia-based products formulated with fewer potentially harmful additives. The dissociation between improved insulin sensitivity and worsened metabolic control suggests that multiple ingredients may exert opposing effects, warranting further investigation into commercial formulations rather than assuming equivalence to purified steviol glycosides.
VL  - 14
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko

Department of Human Physiology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0457-2853
Juliet Elohor Okorodudu

Department of Human Physiology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-5045-1143
Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham

Department of Human Physiology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0003-6825-8446
Anthonia Chigozie Okafor

School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

http://orcid.org/0009-0008-6497-584X
Precious Whiskey Ikete

Department of Human Physiology, Federal University Otuoke, Otuoke, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0008-0551-9406
Jennifer Chioma Okeke

Department of Human Physiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-4426-7200
Dagbota Dan-Jumbo

Department of Human Physiology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9785-7489
Edith Reuben

Department of Human Physiology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4093-9624
Price Paul Kwaku Joffa

Department of Physiology, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-6152-4274

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APA Style

Chinko, B. C., Okorodudu, J. E., Nath-Abraham, C., Okafor, A. C., Ikete, P. W., et al. (2026). Evaluation of Subchronic Oral Stevia Supplementation on Haematological Parameters and Serum Metabolic Profile in Male Wistar Rats. Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 14(2), 162-169. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17

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ACS Style

Chinko, B. C.; Okorodudu, J. E.; Nath-Abraham, C.; Okafor, A. C.; Ikete, P. W., et al. Evaluation of Subchronic Oral Stevia Supplementation on Haematological Parameters and Serum Metabolic Profile in Male Wistar Rats. J. Food Nutr. Sci. 2026, 14(2), 162-169. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17

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AMA Style

Chinko BC, Okorodudu JE, Nath-Abraham C, Okafor AC, Ikete PW, et al. Evaluation of Subchronic Oral Stevia Supplementation on Haematological Parameters and Serum Metabolic Profile in Male Wistar Rats. J Food Nutr Sci. 2026;14(2):162-169. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17

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@article{10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17,
  author = {Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko and Juliet Elohor Okorodudu and Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham and Anthonia Chigozie Okafor and Precious Whiskey Ikete and Jennifer Chioma Okeke and Dagbota Dan-Jumbo and Edith Reuben and Price Paul Kwaku Joffa},
  title = {Evaluation of Subchronic Oral Stevia Supplementation on Haematological Parameters and Serum Metabolic Profile in Male Wistar Rats},
  journal = {Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {162-169},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jfns.20261402.17},
  abstract = {The rising global burden of metabolic disorders has driven increased consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia as sugar substitutes. While purified steviol glycosides are generally recognised as safe, commercially available stevia products often contain multiple additional ingredients whose combined effects remain inadequately characterised. This study evaluated the subchronic effects of a commercial stevia sweetener on haematological and metabolic parameters in healthy male Wistar rats. Fifteen (15) adult male Wistar (180-200 g) rats were randomly assigned to three groups (n=5 per group): control (distilled water), low-dose stevia (200 mg/kg), and high-dose stevia (400 mg/kg). Treatments were administered daily by oral gavage for eight weeks. Haematological parameters were analysed using an automated haematology analyser, while lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and insulin were measured spectrophotometrically using standard kits. Stevia supplementation significantly reduced packed cell volume at both doses (p<0.05). The 400 mg/kg dose increased total white blood cell count and reduced platelet count (p<0.05). Monocyte and eosinophil percentages increased at 400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively (p<0.05). Metabolically, both doses significantly reduced insulin levels and HOMA-IR values while paradoxically elevating fasting blood glucose (p<0.05). The 400 mg/kg dose significantly increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins (p<0.05). Evidence from the present study has shown that subchronic commercial stevia supplementation improved insulin sensitivity in healthy rats but concurrently induced haematological and metabolic stress, manifesting as reduced packed cell volume, leukocytosis, hyperglycaemia, and dyslipidaemia. These findings underscore the critical influence of dose and duration context and highlight the need for stevia-based products formulated with fewer potentially harmful additives. The dissociation between improved insulin sensitivity and worsened metabolic control suggests that multiple ingredients may exert opposing effects, warranting further investigation into commercial formulations rather than assuming equivalence to purified steviol glycosides.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Evaluation of Subchronic Oral Stevia Supplementation on Haematological Parameters and Serum Metabolic Profile in Male Wistar Rats
AU  - Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko
AU  - Juliet Elohor Okorodudu
AU  - Chimburuoma Nath-Abraham
AU  - Anthonia Chigozie Okafor
AU  - Precious Whiskey Ikete
AU  - Jennifer Chioma Okeke
AU  - Dagbota Dan-Jumbo
AU  - Edith Reuben
AU  - Price Paul Kwaku Joffa
Y1  - 2026/04/13
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17
T2  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
JF  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
JO  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
SP  - 162
EP  - 169
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7293
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20261402.17
AB  - The rising global burden of metabolic disorders has driven increased consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia as sugar substitutes. While purified steviol glycosides are generally recognised as safe, commercially available stevia products often contain multiple additional ingredients whose combined effects remain inadequately characterised. This study evaluated the subchronic effects of a commercial stevia sweetener on haematological and metabolic parameters in healthy male Wistar rats. Fifteen (15) adult male Wistar (180-200 g) rats were randomly assigned to three groups (n=5 per group): control (distilled water), low-dose stevia (200 mg/kg), and high-dose stevia (400 mg/kg). Treatments were administered daily by oral gavage for eight weeks. Haematological parameters were analysed using an automated haematology analyser, while lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and insulin were measured spectrophotometrically using standard kits. Stevia supplementation significantly reduced packed cell volume at both doses (p<0.05). The 400 mg/kg dose increased total white blood cell count and reduced platelet count (p<0.05). Monocyte and eosinophil percentages increased at 400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively (p<0.05). Metabolically, both doses significantly reduced insulin levels and HOMA-IR values while paradoxically elevating fasting blood glucose (p<0.05). The 400 mg/kg dose significantly increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins (p<0.05). Evidence from the present study has shown that subchronic commercial stevia supplementation improved insulin sensitivity in healthy rats but concurrently induced haematological and metabolic stress, manifesting as reduced packed cell volume, leukocytosis, hyperglycaemia, and dyslipidaemia. These findings underscore the critical influence of dose and duration context and highlight the need for stevia-based products formulated with fewer potentially harmful additives. The dissociation between improved insulin sensitivity and worsened metabolic control suggests that multiple ingredients may exert opposing effects, warranting further investigation into commercial formulations rather than assuming equivalence to purified steviol glycosides.
VL  - 14
IS  - 2
ER  -

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