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Explaining What Monk Fruit Sugar Really Is

Article DoAugust 31, 2021

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Explaining What Monk Fruit Sugar Really Is

Obesity is not a new issue, but it is more of a concern than ever since the pandemic lockdowns. Did you know that 42% of Americans suffer from obesity?

Unfortunately, that percentage is likely to grow unless we find better eating habits. And, sugar intake is one of the major culprits for excessive weight gain. But, there are alternatives.

But, people are starting to turn different sweeteners like monk fruit sugar instead. Other sweetener products have been on the market for many years, but monk fruits have gone largely unnoticed.

So, if you’ve been wondering what monk fruit sugar is, keep reading. Here is more detail on this exciting product and how it works.

What Is a Monk Fruit?

If you have never heard the name, monk fruits have been around for more than nine centuries. The small green melon was grown in Thailand and Southern China by Buddhist Monks. So, of course, that’s where it gets its name.

Back in the thirteenth century, this unappealing Swingle fruit was a regular staple. Yet, the monks knew there were also health benefits from this sugary fruit.

More recently, scientists discovered that monk fruits are far sweeter than cane sugar. In fact, it has 100 to 250 times more sweetness. In addition, antioxidants in the fruit make it sweeter, but also with far less caloric value.

How Does It Become Monk Fruit Sugar?

The seeds and the rind are where the sugar comes from. The two get extracted and then crushed to produce the juice. The sweetness comes from mogrosides which are the glucose units in monk fruit.

Then, the liquid substance gets filtered with heat and dried into a powder. Mogrols tested in animals showed they don’t get absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract. It’s expected the same will result in humans who use monk fruit sugar.

The result is a sweetener substitute with almost no calories. Because of its potency, much less of the sugar goes into carbonated drinks, for example. Monk fruit sugar used in foods is also a source of energy, but there are differences.

Some people detect a strong aftertaste while others find it too sweet. It can also change the appearance of some foods that traditionally use sugar. But for most, the difference is a question of personal taste.

Is Monk Fruit Sugar Safe?

Early studies have found that monk fruit is more than a sweetener alternative. Scientists found that this healthy fruit is also an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Yet, there is no evidence of any adverse effects in using it rather than other sweetener products.

The studies went further and determined that monk fruit is safe for people with diabetes. In addition, more research has found it safe for children and pregnant women to use. Note that these tests are all based on average daily intakes.

Munk fruits are more than mere sweeteners. As scientists conduct more research, more health benefits are being discovered.

Healthy Bonuses

There is no clinical proof that sugar substitutes promote weight loss. However, monk fruit has been a part of traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

Replacing these sweetener products does reduce calorie intake. However, we all know that it takes more than one lifestyle change for weight loss.

But, there is significant evidence that monk fruit sugar is a better choice for people with diabetes. Studies have proven that monk fruit sugar does not raise blood sugar in the system. Also, there are no carbohydrates to affect keto or low-carb dieting.

The antioxidants in monk fruit work to protect body cells from damage. This means that the anti-inflammatory aspects of the substance can prevent chronic diseases.

Again, there is not enough clinical proof; monk fruits restrict cancer cell growth. However, this research found results in preventing colorectal and throat cancers.

Another health benefit found was the anti-biotic properties in monk fruit. This is most promising because more people are developing immunities to the drug.

As well, monk fruits are safe for children, and they don’t promote cavities. Furthermore, there is no evidence of adverse effects during pregnancy or lactating. So, what’s the downside?

What Are the Drawbacks?

With all these health benefits to using monks, you might wonder why it isn’t more popular. After all, most Americans have never heard of monk fruit sugar. Yet, people are becoming more health-conscious as they emerge from the pandemic restrictions.

The major challenge for these sweetener products is cost and availability. Monk fruit is hard to grow and harvest, and it’s only found in Southern Asia.

For that reason, the product is also more expensive to export. So. finding the product on store shelves may present a challenge. But, monk fruit sugar is becoming more available by other means.

Monk fruit sugar tastes different than white sugar. Some claim there is a disturbing aftertaste as well. As a result, product manufacturers are testing a mix of ingredients in sweetener products. But, with its extreme potency, many are learning to use much less at once.

Given the distinction of cost vs. benefits, people will start to look toward the latter. Using less to get the same sweet fix helps to defray initial costs. Then, more demand for monk fruit products will help to drive the price down.

The Monk Fruit Difference

When you consider the growing cost of health care, there’s a push for people to take action on their own. So many health benefits are associated with monk fruit sugar, it will become a bigger option for many.

One of the biggest causes of obesity is sugar intake. Obesity is one of the biggest concerns with future health risks.

Sweetener products are getting more attention these days. So it stands to reason that a healthy alternative is at least part of the solution.

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