05/01/2026
A customer asked me whether stevia could be causing frequent urination. It was a question I almost dismissed.
So I looked into it.
The active compounds in stevia, known as steviol glycosides, possess a steroidal backbone. This chemical structure is similar to that of key hormones like cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen. Steviol glycosides are pharmacologically active and can interact with the body's hormone receptors and enzymes. They are not inert substances.
Research shows stevia inhibits sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, causing increased water and sodium loss in urine, even at typical dietary doses.
A human clinical study using whole stevia extract found significant increases in urinary and salivary cortisol after just one week of consumption — from 91.8 to 125.7 nmol/day — and an elevated cortisol-to-cortisone ratio from 1.73 to 2.65.
Elevated cortisol suppresses ADH, the antidiuretic hormone that tells your kidneys to retain water, creating a second, independent route to excess urination.
People with variants in HSD11B2 or COMT may experience substantially amplified effects from the same dose.
Comment STEVIA, and I'll send you the full video where I explain what you need to know (and avoid) about Stevia. Most people consuming it daily have no idea it produces these effects.
After reviewing the research, I removed stevia from every Seeking Health product. Optimal Electrolyte, Vitamin C Plus, and others were all reformulated.
Stevia, steviol glycosides, stevioside, and rebaudioside A are all derived from the same plant. Any of them on a label means stevia.
Comment STEVIA and I'll send you the full video where I explain what you need to know (and avoid) about Stevia.
