What are the benefits of monk fruit

Monk Fruit is the zero calorie, all natural sweetener that Lakanto is made from. But aside from its benefit as a sugar alternative, monk fruit also comes with a host of health benefits too.

1. Fights free radicals: Monk fruit’s mogrosides, the compounds that give it its intense sweetness, are also powerful antioxidants. Oxidative stress plays a part in many diseases and disorders, and choosing high-antioxidant foods is the key to reducing free radical damage in the body. 
2. Lowers risk of obesity: Sugar is incredibly damaging when consumed in the amounts that most Australians do today. This surge in sugar intake has ballooned obesity rates, as well as cases of diabetes. Although there are a number of artificial sweeteners available, the side effects of sugar substitutes like aspartame make them more harmful than the natural stuff. Monk fruit extract does not affect blood sugar the way natural sugars do. providing the sweet flavour we love without the damaging side effects.
3. Acts as an anti-inflammatory and coolant: Ancient Chinese usage of this fruit included drinking tea made from the boiled fruit to cool the body from external and internal sources and ailments from fever to heat stroke. It was also used to soothe a sore throat. This method worked because of monk fruit’s anti-inflammatory abilities. 
4. Helps treat and prevent cancer: Scores of studies have proven the anti-carcinogenic effects of the natural sweeteners contained in monk fruit. From studies displaying its abilities in inhibiting skin and breast tumor growth to providing proteins that have potent anticancer abilities, monk fruit is a great warrior in the fight against cancer. There is irony in the fact that other sweeteners are proven to increase the risk of cancer, while monk fruit sweetener has the power to reduce it (6, 7, 8, 9).
5. Zero calories and zero carbohydrates: Monk fruit extract contains no calories and no carbs, making it a great option for a ketogenic diet. The mogrosides (antioxidants) help manage blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of insulin, which can improve the transportation of sugar out of the bloodstream. 
6. The Immortal fruit: Monk fruit is often known as a sacred fruit of longevity, and in recent years it has been given the title of super food in Western countries. Near Guilin City in Xiang Tian there is a town known as the longevity village. It is said that most of the villagers regularly take monk fruit as a tea and many live to celebrate their 100th birthday.  
7. Anti-microbial: Unlike sugar, which may feed unwanted microbes in the intestinal tract, monk fruit compounds actually exhibit beneficial anti-microbial properties that may help maintain proper bacterial balance. 
8. No side effects: One of the best aspects of monk fruit is it has no reported side effects!  Lakanto Monk Fruit Sweetener is a mixture of monk fruit and erythritol. Together, they make a blend that perfectly matches the sweetness of sugar as a 1:1 sugar replacement!. In addition, its granulated form looks, tastes, bakes and smells like sugar. The sweetener has no additives, is non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, and so much more. 

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Monk fruit extract, also called luo han guo fruit extract, is a recent addition to the sugar alternative market in the United States. Unlike some chemically based sugar alternatives, monk fruit extract is considered natural.

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Endocrinology and metabolism specialist Anthony Liberatore, MD, talks about whether monk fruit is a healthy sugar replacement.

Monk fruit is a small, round fruit native to southern China. Monk fruit sweetener comes from the mogroside, which is the sweetest part of the fruit.

To make monk fruit sweetener, manufacturers crush the monk fruit, extract its juice and then extract its mogroside from the juice. “Monk fruit mogrosides have a taste that’s over 100 times sweeter than sugar, but they have no calories,” says Dr. Liberatore.

Monk fruit health benefits

Some evidence suggests that the mogrosides in monk fruit contain good-for-you antioxidants. Commonly found in plant foods, antioxidants fight off free radicals that can lead to health problems like cancer and heart disease.

But there aren’t any studies that confirm monk fruit extract could boost your health. “Monk fruit is new to the U.S. market, and we don’t have solid evidence of any health benefits yet,” says Dr. Liberatore.

Can monk fruit help you lose weight?

Eating less sugar could help you shed pounds if you combine it with other weight loss measures. “Sugar is a source of empty calories, which are calories without nutritional benefit,” says Dr. Liberatore. “Replacing sugar with monk fruit is a good way to cut those empty calories.”

But sugar alternatives are not the fast track to weight loss. In fact, some studies have found that artificial sweeteners can contribute to weight gain by building sugar craving and dependence.

“Focus on your overall diet if you want to cut calories or lose weight,” says Dr. Liberatore. “Don’t rely on a sweetener alone to improve your health or help with weight loss.”

Is monk fruit safe?

Monk fruit received the “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It also has no reported side effects.

But use monk fruit — or any sweetener — in moderate amounts. Just because it’s GRAS doesn’t mean you should consume lots of it every day, notes Dr. Liberatore.

“Monk fruit is a good option for lowering sugar intake,” he says. “But instead of consuming lots of zero-calorie sweeteners, focus on eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods have vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you need for good health.”

And read the ingredients list on the label before buying monk fruit sweeteners. Many products combine other sweeteners with monk fruit extract — even if the product is called “pure monk fruit.” Some contain erythritol, a sugar alcohol that can cause bloating or stomach upset in some people.

Monk fruit and diabetes

If you have diabetes, monk fruit could be a good option for you. Ask your doctor first, though. “People with diabetes have bigger blood sugar spikes after eating sugar than people who don’t have diabetes,” explains Dr. Liberatore. “So using a sugar substitute can help prevent these spikes.”

How to use monk fruit sweetener

Monk fruit sweeteners come in powder or liquid forms. If you’re looking to swap out sugar for a more natural alternative, consider these uses:

• Add it to coffee and tea as a sweetener.
• Substitute it for sugar in baking.
• Sprinkle it on breakfast items like oatmeal or yogurt.
• Incorporate it into salad dressings.
• Whip it into frosting or a mousse.

The ultra-sweet flavor of monk fruit means a little bit goes a long way. And because each product is different, read the package instructions before adding it to your favorite recipes. It may not be a cup-for-cup equivalent to sugar.

Use monk fruit in moderation

Monk fruit extract isn’t a miracle health booster, but it’s a good option when you really want something sweet. If you have a sweet tooth, monk fruit can help you enjoy sweet foods and drinks without sugar.

“But don’t go overboard,” cautions Dr. Liberatore. “Drink plenty of plain water or tea, and eat natural foods without an ultra-sweet taste. Over time, your taste buds adjust, and you may not need to use sweeteners as much.”

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