If you've been guzzling down 'sugar-free' drinks and patting yourself on the back, it's time for a reality check. The low-calorie darling of the diet industry, Stevia, is a plant-based sweetener that can be magnitudes sweeter than your everyday table sugar, with supposedly zero calories. You might think it's a dream come true. But, if something sounds too good to be true - it often is.

Stevia, derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, has been steadily amassing a fan-base worldwide. Its health halo image often overshadows its actual benefits. Yes, Stevia doesn't contribute to empty calories like sugar, but that doesn't necessarily warrant a health boon status. Let's just say Stevia is the Dwight Schrute of the sweetener world.

Often touted as a safe haven for diabetic people, the unprocessed form of Stevia does not impact blood sugar levels. But, a mere sweetener hardly subsists on Stevia alone! Many commercially available products come with additional ingredients like dextrose, maltodextrin, and sugar alcohols, which can skyrocket your blood sugar faster than your favorite candy. Yet, we conveniently blame sugar for our mood swings!

On the bright side, Stevia does host some potential health benefits. Some studies hint that the steviol glycosides found in Stevia might be beneficial for gut health. On the downside, not every burp and gas issue can be solved with Stevia, as some studies negate any significant impact of Stevia on gut health whatsoever.

You might want to sit down for this, but the FDA doesn't recognize Stevia leaf or its crude extracts as 'generally recognized as safe' (GRAS). We can now hear the collective gasp of the Stevia fan-club members! The approval is reserved for the steviol glycosides extracted from the Stevia leaves.

For those suffering from type 2 diabetes, Stevia can be your sweet tooth's best friend, but becoming a Stevia glutton might not be a prudent idea. There are concerns - mostly unfounded - that Stevia might heighten your cravings for sweets. While more research is warranted, most studies dismiss such connections.

To wrap it up, Stevia wins the crown for being a safe and natural alternative to traditional sugar or artificial sweeteners, but don't expect it to become your wellness genie. However, there might be some truth that too much sweetness can ruin the taste; over-consuming Stevia may result in side effects like nausea, bloating, dizziness, or numbness in some individuals. So, it's best to consult your healthcare provider before making Stevia a staple in your pantry or fridge.