Who enjoys these natural options as sweeteners? I love them both and feel much better sweetening my teas, etc, without artificial chemical-ish packets of stuff like Splenda and Equal. There has been some controversy with Stevia and the FDA... it has been approved as a dietary supplement, but not as a food additive.
Stevia has been used practically forever in many places such as Japan and areas in South America. The FDA has been criticized for not testing enough or giving it the seal of approval to be used as a food additive. If approved, it may cause damage to the artificial sweetener industry... you can't patent a naturally growing plant, yanno?
Regardless of any of that... I'm happy just sprinkling it on cereal and in tea. Same with Blue Agave, which comes in the form of a syrup usually. The Blue Agave has calories but is low-glycemic, unlike regular white sugar. It also has a unique flavor to it.
I've actually talked about it with a M.D, who has focused on holistic health here in the US. I asked her about the safety, etc, and she said that both are completely safe and all of this FDA stuff is rubbish.