Why Some People Avoid Stevia, Erythritol and Artificial Sweeteners

(And What to Look for Instead)

Stevia, erythritol, monk fruit, and other artificial or alternative sweeteners have become staples in “better-for-you” drinks. For many people, they’re a helpful way to reduce sugar intake.

But for some, they come with side effects, especially headaches, migraines, or a general feeling of being “off.”

If you’ve ever searched things like “stevia headaches,” “artificial sweeteners migraine trigger,” or “why do sweeteners give me headaches,” you’re not alone. These questions are surprisingly common and often answered only in forums or anecdotal threads.

This article takes a calm, evidence-based look at why some people choose to avoid stevia and artificial sweeteners, and how to make more informed drink choices if you are sensitive.

A quick clarification (important)

Most people tolerate stevia, erythritol, and other artificial sweeteners without any issues.

This isn’t about saying they’re “bad,” unsafe, or harmful for everyone. Instead, it’s about understanding individual variability, especially when it comes to the nervous system, migraines, and sensory sensitivity.

What some people report

Across consumer reviews, migraine communities, and discussion boards, a subset of people consistently report symptoms after consuming drinks sweetened with stevia or artificial sweeteners, including:

• Headaches or migraines
  

• Brain fog or mental fatigue
  

• Feeling jittery, overstimulated, or “strange.”
  

• Digestive discomfort
  

While these reactions don’t happen to everyone, they tend to be repeatable for the same individual, which is why people often learn to avoid certain sweeteners over time.

Why reactions can happen (for some people)

1. Neurological sensitivity and migraines

Migraines and headaches are neurological conditions. Research shows that people who experience migraines often have heightened sensory sensitivity, meaning certain stimuli, including taste compounds, can act as triggers.

Stevia, while plant-derived, contains bitter-tasting glycosides that interact with taste receptors and neural pathways differently depending on the individual.

Several headache organizations note that dietary triggers vary widely from person to person, and sweeteners are commonly cited by patients as something they monitor closely.

2. Erythritol and Individual Sensitivity

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol commonly used in low-sugar and zero-sugar drinks. While many people tolerate it well, others report side effects such as:

• Headaches or migraines
  

• Bloating or digestive discomfort
  

• A general feeling of fatigue or “pressure”
  

Sugar alcohols are absorbed differently than sugars and can affect people in different ways depending on gut sensitivity and overall tolerance. As with stevia, reactions aren’t universal, but they are repeatable for certain individuals, which is why some people actively avoid erythritol after noticing patterns.

3. Dose and frequency matter

A small amount of a sweetener may be tolerated just fine.

Repeated exposure, especially across multiple products in a day, can push some people past their personal tolerance threshold.

This is particularly common with:

• Drinks that combine multiple sweeteners
  

• Products marketed for daily or frequent consumption
  

Many people don’t realize how often sweeteners show up across drinks, snacks, and supplements until they start reading labels more closely.

4. Gut–brain signaling

The gut and brain are closely connected via the gut–brain axis. Emerging research suggests that certain sweeteners may influence gut signalling, which may indirectly affect mood, clarity, or head discomfort in sensitive individuals.

This doesn’t mean sweeteners automatically cause headaches, but it helps explain why experiences can vary so widely between people.

5. Individual biology

Genetics, migraine history, stress levels, sleep quality, and overall diet all influence how someone responds to sweeteners.

Two people can drink the exact same product:

• One feels fine
  

• The other gets a headache
  

That doesn’t mean one person is “wrong.” It simply reflects biological differences.

Why sweeteners are often misunderstood

Sweeteners are usually discussed in extremes:

• “Totally safe for everyone.”
  

• Or “toxic and terrible.”
  
  

The reality is far less dramatic and more useful:

Some people tolerate them well. Some don’t.

Once you frame it that way, a lot of consumer behaviour makes sense, especially why people actively seek out drinks without stevia, erythritol, or other artificial sweeteners.

How to choose drinks if you’re sensitive

If you suspect sweeteners don’t agree with you, here are a few practical tips:

• Avoid drinks with stacked sweeteners (e.g., stevia + monk fruit + erythritol)
  

• Pay attention to how you feel after, not just how something tastes
  

• Look for light, natural sweetness that’s balanced by fibre
  

• Read ingredient labels, specifically on “health” drinks
  

For many people, simpler ingredient lists and sweetness sourced from real food ingredients make a noticeable difference.

A note on Crazy D’s

At Crazy D’s, we’ve always taken a different approach to sweetness.

Our light, natural sweetness comes from the same real food sources that provide our prebiotic fibre (which offsets glycemic spike). In every can, fibre outnumbers natural sugars, similar to eating a low-sugar fruit or vegetable. For most people, this just feels right. It often feels better than the artificial approach.

This philosophy isn’t accidental.

Crazy D’s was created by founder Darren Portelli, a chronic migraine sufferer who began experimenting with drinks after a migraine-induced realization: many “better-for-you” beverages still didn’t feel good to drink regularly. What started as a personal search for something better became a multi-year effort to create a soda that prioritized real ingredients, gentle sweetness, and everyday drinkability.

We don’t use stevia, monk fruit, erythritol, or artificial sweeteners, not because they’re universally bad, but because we wanted to build something people could come back to day after day.

We believe ingredient transparency matters, and that people deserve drinks that fit their bodies, not trends.

The bottom line

If stevia, erythritol or artificial sweeteners work for you, great!

If they don’t, you’re not imagining things, and you’re not alone.

Listening to your body, noticing patterns, and choosing drinks that align with how you feel isn’t extreme; it’s practical.

And in the end, the best drink is the one you can enjoy today and feel good about tomorrow.