Recent studies have suggested that therapeutic doses of stevia may reduce high blood pressure and also improve insulin signalling in diabetic patients.

Dr Andrew Fenning's research group (PhD student - Ms Saquiba Yesmine and Honours student - Ms Maree Bennett) has been investigating the beneficial effects of stevia on improving cardiovascular function in rat models of hypertension and diabetes.

It is hoped that these studies will provide a cellular mechanism of action for the positive effects of stevia via a direct improvement to the damaged vascular wall.

Dr Fenning, who is Associate Director of CQUniversity's Biomedical Science Program, said that initial findings have shown that stevia can improve cardiac function in severely diabetic rats.