Monk Fruit in Luo Han Guo is a small sub-tropical melon that cultivates in southern parts of China. According to a legend the name comes from the Buddhist Monk who first cultivated this fruit 800 years ago. This fruit is 100-250 times sweeter than sugar and hence can be a natural sugar in various dishes. Now let’s discuss some of the benefits of monk fruit.

Benefits of Monk Fruit sweetener

Monk fruit
  1. It acts as a natural sweetener:

Monk fruit sweetener that extracts from it forms by removing the seeds and skin of the fruit and crushing it to collect the juice, and it dries and forms into powder form. It acts as a natural sweetener because it composes of natural sugars like glucose and fructose, but it gets its sweetness from antioxidants present in them that are mogrosides. The extract is a common as an ingredient in food and drinks as a flavor enhancer.

2. It has low glycemic index:

The fruit has zero calories and carbohydrates. Hence it may be a good option for people suffering from diabetes to control it. It can be also suitable for people following a low-carb or diabetic diet or trying to lose weight.

3. No aftertaste:

This fruit is known for not having any chemical or bitter aftertaste so you can enjoy it as there is no change in the flavor, it tastes sweet like always!

4. Can blend with other sweeteners:

The fruit’s extract can blend with other sweeteners and bulking agents like erythritol, inulin and hence can you can use in various recipes.

5. Cooking and baking:

Monk fruits being heat stable can be used while baking and cooking without losing the sweetness and hence can be used as a substitute in recipes, beverages, desserts, sauces, and dressings.

Is the Monk Fruit safe to consume?

Monk fruit tree

Yes, according to different Food Regulatory Authority it is safe to consume.

Extracts from monk fruit are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS), a regulatory review process category used by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The safety of monk fruit extract has been confirmed by health agencies in countries around the world, including: China, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and Health Canada, which permit it in tabletop sweetener packets only. In its approval of the use of monk fruit extracts as a sweetener, FSANZ cites a history of safe use in China, Canada, Japan and the U.S., and no evidence of adverse effects in human studies from consuming up to 60 milligrams (mg) of monk fruit extract per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day.

Food Regulatory Authority

There are not many studies showing its effect but it is safe to consume and also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties. Although there needs to be more research, it appears to be a safe and healthy alternative to sugar.

If you want to use monk fruit extract as a sweetener in your diet then you should first consult your healthcare professional or a registered dietician before incorporating it in your diet.

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