Monk Fruit For Dietary Needs
Monk fruit sugar has been given the stamp of approval from the Food and Drug Administration , and given the title of Generally Recognized as Safe .
âBecause monk fruit sugar doesnât change your blood sugar levels, that makes it a safe option for people with diabetes. Itâs also often used as a sugar substitute in keto diets.
Monk fruit sugar has been approved for general use in the U.S., so children and pregnant people can enjoy it as well. However, thereâs a lack of research in these specific areas. Use it sparingly, as you would with other sweeteners. Make sure to talk to your doctor before using this sugar substitute or any others if you have a medical condition.
Can Monk Fruit Sweeteners Make Me Hungrier
Highly palatable foods activate brain regions of reward and pleasure. This positive association has been hypothesized to enhance appetite, and if left unchecked, the resulting increase in food intake may contribute to overweight and obesity.57 Low-calorie sweeteners can also lead to a stimulation of reward pathways by activating sweet taste receptors, but they are not a source of calories.
Some have expressed concern that activating reward pathways without delivering calories to the body may have unintended consequences but more research is needed to support this hypothesis. Some animal studies have demonstrated changes in food intake and appetite-related hormones after consuming low-calorie sweeteners.35,54 However, other animal studies show that pathways involved in sugar digestion and preference for sugar are not activated by low-calorie sweeteners.58,59
Monk Fruit: Natures Best Sweetener
With sugar intake at an all-time high, finding healthier, sweet alternatives has been a priority for many people. The problem is, sugar substitutes and artificial sweeteners tend to be filled with other harmful chemicals and ingredients, and some even contain calories and affect blood sugar levels, despite what many people believe. Enter monk fruit.
Monk fruit sweetener has been celebrated as a revolutionary way to sweeten foods and drinks without the harmful effects of traditional sugar and certain sugar substitutes.
What are the health benefits of monk fruit? It contains compounds that, when extracted, are an estimated 200300 times sweeter than regular cane sugar but with no calories and no effect on blood sugar.
Sound too good to be true? Its not!
This fruit has been used as a sweetener for centuries, and after many years of only being available overseas, its recently become easier to find in grocery stores in the U.S. and elsewhere.
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Can Children Consume Monk Fruit Sweeteners
YES. While no research has been published on monk fruit sweetener intake in children, no negative effects on health have been demonstrated in animal models or adults.10 Monk fruit sweeteners can add sweetness to a childs foods and beverages without contributing to calories consumed or added sugars intake. Monk fruit sweeteners are not fermentable like sugars and erythritol is noncariogenic,17 meaning it does not promote tooth decay.
With a focus on reducing consumption of added sugars in recent decades, the number of food and beverage products containing low-calorie sweeteners has increased. Observational research among U.S. children and adults has shown an increase in the percentage of people reporting daily consumption of products containing low-calorie sweeteners 18 nevertheless, current intake of each low-calorie sweetener is considered to be well within acceptable levels, both globally and in the U.S.19,20
What Brand Of Monk Fruit Is The Best
The 7 Best Monk Fruit Sweeteners Of 2021
- Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener.
- WHOLE EARTH Stevia & Monk Fruit Plant-based Sweetener.
- So Nourished Monk Fruit Sweetener with Erythritol.
- Lakanto Liquid Monk Fruit Extract Sweetener.
- Monk Zero Monk Fruit Sweetener.
- So Nourished Powdered Monk Fruit Sweetener with Erythritol.
- Health Garden Monk Fruit Sweetener.
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Where Can I Buy Monk Fruit
You cant. Well, to be completely accurate, you could visit Southern Asia and search for one of the few plantations that grow it. But you wont find monk fruit at the grocery store, produce store or even a fully-stocked Whole Foods.
The reason is simple: monk fruit has an extremely short shelf life. It turns brown and rancid within days of harvesting. And since it can only be grown in remote areas, theres no farm-to-table option available, let alone supermarket shelves full of beautiful green monk fruit. The only place you might even find any type of luo han guo is in an Asian market, since the dry rind can be used to make traditional Chinese tea.
So very few people are able to eat monk fruit but that doesnt mean its simply a curiosity of nature.
Are There Downsides To Monk Fruit
Monk fruit is one of the few non-nutritive sweeteners that does not cause significant known side effects. Typically sugar alcohols can cause some level of gastrointestinal distress, even when not over-consumed. Monk fruit does not seem to have a known tolerable upper limit. It also has GRAS status, or generally recognized as safe, but there has not been any research that examines long-term use.
Monk fruit is often paired with other sweeteners, like erythritol, because on its own it has a noticeable aftertaste that is bitter, somewhat similar to stevia.
While uncommon, some people may be allergic to monk fruit, especially those who already have allergies to other foods in the gourd family such as melon, squash, cucumber, or pumpkin.
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Does Monk Fruit Cause Allergies
As with most plant foods, there is a possibility of allergy to monk fruit.
Since monk fruit belongs to the cucurbit family, people who are allergic to cucurbits should be cautious.
For example, this includes melons, zucchinis, or cucumbers. These are all foods that contain high levels of lectins, especially in their seeds.
In addition to causing allergies and damaging the intestinal wall, these plant toxins can also promote autoimmune diseases .
Maintains Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is crucial to supporting vital bodily functions. Most importantly, it reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease. As a natural sweetener, monk fruit does not affect blood sugar levels because it does not have sugar. As a matter of fact, the mogrosides in monk fruit may help ease diabetic complications. To put it another way, mogroside stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin without the need for increased blood sugar. . This may be beneficial to those who are insulin-resistant.
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Why Monk Fruit Is A Power Food For Diabetes
Monk fruit is a type of gourd that grows in the sub-tropical areas and is only currently cultivated in the mountains of Southern China. Legend has it that Buddhist monks were the first to grow this melon, hence the name! Botanically, monk fruit is known as Siraitia grosvenorii. This fruit has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries to treat inflammation, coughs and sore throats and is known as luo han guo. Monk fruit has just very recently applied for the Generally Recognized as Safe status in the USthe FDA has no objections though it has not officially been granted GRAS status. Monk fruit extract has been permitted to be used in foods in the US since 2009. There have been no reports of negative effects. To date, the only non-nutritive sweeteners given GRAS status by the US FDA are saccharine, aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesulfame-K, and stevia.
Monk fruit extract is derived from the pulp of the fruit and is used to sweeten foods and beverages without the calories of sugar. In addition, the extract appears to lower both blood sugar and blood lipids in experimental models of animal diabetes. The active sweet substances appear to be the mogrosides which are about 2- 300 times the as sweet as table sugar. The mogrosides also function as antioxidants, potentially limiting the oxidative damage caused by high levels of blood glucose.
Health Benefits Of Monk Fruit Extract
Some sugar alcohols, and stevia, provide a level of health and wellness benefits. But monk fruit sweeteners potential benefits are more impressive.
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits: Remember our old friends mogrosides? They are able to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals in the body, thanks to their natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Oxidative stress damages cellular tissue and can cause serious health problems like asthma, diabetes and heart disease, so a diet that contains monk fruit sweetener may help people to maintain good health.Those antioxidant properties of monk fruit, incidentally, are why those ancient Chinese monks could use monk fruit to treat congestion and cough.
- Cholesterol, blood glucose and diabetes: The mogrosides in monk fruit extract have been shown to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Even better, monk fruits most prevalent mogroside, mogroside V, seems to stimulate insulin production one of the primary causes of type 2 diabetes is lack of sufficient insulin.
- Cancer: Results are very preliminary, but studies report that mogroside V may be able to inhibit the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. Monk fruits antioxidant properties have also been studied for possible cancer-fighting effects.
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How Sweet Is Monk Fruit
Monk fruit-based sweeteners are 150-200 times sweeter than sugar and add sweetness to foods and beverages without adding calories. They are generally used in beverages and foods such as soft drinks, juices, dairy products, desserts, candy, and condiments. Another advantage that monk fruit has over other sweeteners is that it is stable at high temperatures, which means it can be used for baking without changing the taste or making the final product bitter. Also, like all zero-calorie and low-calorie sweeteners, only very small amounts are needed to achieve the same sweetness as sugar.
Regarding safety, monk fruit sweeteners have been approved and generally recognized as safe by the FDA since 2010.
Understanding The Glycemic Index
The Glycemic Index tells us which carbohydrate-containing foods raise our blood glucose levels and which are lower on the scale. If you have diabetes, you likely know how important it is to eat low-glycemic foods, as too much glucose can be dangerous. If someone you love has diabetes, knowing about the index can be helpful when preparing food or assisting a family member who needs dietary support.
The goal is to plan meals that are rated low to medium on the GI scale. These might include beans, corn, rice, whole grain breads, sweet potatoes, many fruits, and all non-starchy veggies. Higher GI foods include instant oatmeals , pineapples, boxed mac and cheese, and cereals such as corn flakes. Generally, the more fat or fiber in a food, the lower on the GI scale. The more processed a food, the higher.
When it comes to sweeteners, there are plenty on the market and mixed into our favorite foods. Look out for sweeteners such as maltodextrin, dextrose, glucose, sucrose, and even caramel, as they all rank highest on the GI. Honey, maple syrup, and agave sit squarely in the middle, and monk fruit sits on the lower end, earning a zero on GI scale, right next to stevia.
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Safe Sugar Substitutes For Diabetics
Monk fruit extract
Monk fruit naturally contains mogrosides, a type of antioxidant responsible for the sweet taste of this treat. Researchers have found a way to extract this antioxidant to produce a sugar-free sweetener that does not contain calories and does not affect blood sugar levels.
Stevia
To make stevia sweetener, manufacturers collect the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant and process them into fine crystals. Stevia is low in calories and retains its flavor when heated, making it an ideal sweetener for baking or hot drinks.
Erythritol
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol derived from the fermentation of cornstarch or wheat. It has very few calories and has no impact on blood sugar. While erythritol is less likely than others to do so, sugar alcohols can upset your stomach. Start with small amounts and discontinue use if it causes any discomfort. With that said, it is safe even in relatively large quantities.
Fresh fruit
Did you know that you can find the most natural sweetener in the aisle? Fresh fruit can be a great addition to your recipes, as fruits contain fiber that helps slow down sugar absorption and thus reduce the impact on your blood sugar levels. Try using mashed bananas, unsweetened applesauce or date paste in your next recipe.
“Most people with diabetes do not need to reduce the amount of fruit they eat,” says Dr. Ho. “However, dried fruits and fruit juices can be high in sugar and should therefore be better limited or avoided.”
Discover The Naturally Sweet Taste Of This Delicious New Keto
Its no accident that monk fruit has become one of the worlds most popular keto sweeteners. Its great for baking, great for drinks, and contains zero calories.
If you dont love the aftertaste of other keto-friendly sweeteners, monk fruit might be the sweetener for you. Its almost indistinguishable from sugar. Do a blind taste test and you might be stumped.
Or just swap in Splenda Monk Fruit Sweetener one for one into all your favorite recipes. When you notice your family scrambling for seconds, youll know youve found a winner.
Youll learn how to use monk fruit at the end of this article. But first, lets cover the basics of this natural sweetener.
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Natural & Artificial Sweeteners That Wont Affect Blood Sugar
None of the natural and artificial sweeteners I list below will affect your blood sugar in their raw form, but you have to make sure that the manufacturer hasnt added anything else to the product such as fillers or flavors.
With the exception of aspartame, none of the sweeteners can actually be broken down by the body, which is why they wont affect your blood sugar. Instead, theyll pass through your systems without being digested, so they provide no extra calories.
How To Choose The Right Sweetener
Whats the best monk fruit sweetener to purchase? Because of its short shelf life, the only way to try monk fruit fresh would be to travel to Southeast Asia and buy one fresh off the vine, which obviously is unrealistic for many people.
The next best way to try monk fruit extract or monk fruit powder is to purchase it in dried form.
Wondering where to buy monk fruit? Dried monk fruit can be found online and at many Chinese markets.
You can use the dried fruit in soups and teas.
You can also make your own monk fruit sugar substitute by creating an extract .
You can choose to make it using alcohol, pure water or glycerin, or a combination of the three. Making your own solution at home ensures you know what ingredients are used and the quality of ingredients.
Monk fruit extract is manufactured in a number of different ways. Most commonly, the fresh fruit is harvested and the juice is combined with a hot water infusion, filtered and then dried to create a powdered extract.
Some types may be labeled as monk fruit in the raw if they dont contain other ingredients.
The sweetness is contained in the mogrosides, and depending on the manufacturer, the percentage of the compound varies, which means different products will have different sweetness levels.
Beware of types that include added ingredients like molasses and a sugar alcohol called erythritol, which may cause digestive issues among some people.
Monk Fruit Recipes:
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Doesnt Raise Blood Sugar7
When someone has type 2 diabetes, they cant properly regulate their blood sugar levels. This results in weight gain, impaired immunity, and an increased risk for chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer.8
Reducing blood sugar levels is the primary therapeutic goal of diabetes treatment. More and more, researchers and clinicians are turning to low-carb and ketogenic diets for this purpose.9
Monk fruit is a healthy addition to a low-carb diet. In one study, taking monk fruit didnt raise blood sugar levels in healthy participants.10 Sugar, on the other hand, increased fasting blood sugar by 70% within 15 minutes.
Question: How Do You Substitute Monk Fruit For Sugar In Baking
Monk fruit is commonly used as a substitution for sugar in confections, soups, sauces and beverages. But because it is much sweeter than sugar, a 1-to-1 substitution may be too sweet. Experiment in the kitchen and find the ratio that fits your needs. Consider starting with 1/3 cup monk fruit sugar for 1 cup sugar.
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So What Are The Best Sweeteners For People With Diabetes
In general, there is no reason not to choose one of the natural sweeteners that dont affect blood sugar Stevia, monk fruit, or allulose. They are all great for people with diabetes and you can choose whichever one you think tastes the best. For baking, Stevia in the Raw is my preferred sweetener as it retains its taste and acts the most like sugar when heated.
Artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols are not terrible, but they do potentially have side effects, the most common of which is digestive issues. I, therefore, see no reason to use them when natural and safe alternatives are available.
Sugar substitutes such as honey and agave nectar are essentially identical to normal sugar when it comes to blood sugar impact. I do keep both sugar and honey in the house for the rare occasions where I want to bake something really decadent , but I try to use it as little as possible.
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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 arent any studies that confirm monk fruit extract could boost your health. Monk fruit is new to the U.S. market, and we dont have solid evidence of any health benefits yet, says Dr. Liberatore.
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