Monk Fruit

What is it?

Monk fruit, also known as lo han guo or Swingle fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii), is a small round fruit native to southern China. Monk fruit sweeteners are created from the fruit juice, and contain zero calories per serving. Used for centuries in Eastern medicine as a cold and digestive aid, Monk fruit also comes with antioxidant properties.  1

In recent years, pharmacological studies have shown several health protective properties of monk fruit such as liver protection, anti-oxidative, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-asthmatic, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory action. 2 

Monk fruit sweeteners have been permitted as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDAsince 2010.

Benefits:

  • Derived from fruit, it is all natural and not artificial
  • All the sweetness, none of the calories
  • Unlike other sweeteners, monk fruit in not linked to any potential digestive issues

References

  1.  Everything You Need to Know about Monk Fruit Sweeteners. Food Insight. (2021, February 26). https://foodinsight.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-monk-fruit-sweeteners/. 
  2. Pandey, Arun & Chauhan, Om. (2020). Monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii) - health aspects and food applications.