Monk Fruit Sweetener - Natural Sugar Substitute

Monk Fruit Sweetener is a natural sweetener derived from the monk fruit, which is also known as luo han guo. It is used as a sugar substitute in various food and beverage products.
Category
Food ingredient
Where to get
Available in health food stores and online retailers.
Prepared by Lee Cheng, reviewed by Jane Cox

Monk Fruit Sweetener FAQ


Image credit: walmart.com

Is monk fruit a sweetener?

Monk fruit extract is now used as a standalone sweetener, an ingredient in food and drinks, a flavor enhancer, and a component of sweetener blends ( 1 ). Monk fruit sweetener is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener. It is high in unique antioxidants called mogrosides, which make it 100–250 times sweeter than regular sugar.

What can you do with monk fruit sweeteners?

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.

Does monk fruit sweetener raise blood sugar?

Since monk fruit sweetener has zero calories or carbs, it will not raise blood sugar levels. Therefore, it may be a good option for people with diabetes. Studies in mice with diabetes suggest that monk fruit extract may even reduce blood sugar levels.

Does monk fruit contain sugar?

Now, whole monk fruit (aka the melon-esque edible mentioned above) also contains glucose and fructose, which are calorie-containing sugar molecules. But these sugars aren't found in monk fruit sweetener. During processing, manufacturers crush monk fruits to release the juices.

Monk Fruit Sweetener References

If you want to know more about Monk Fruit Sweetener, consider exploring links below:

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