Monk fruit extract has been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to the following potential health benefits:
Prevents oxidative damage
Studies in rats and mice have shown that monk fruit antioxidants have protective effects. Monk fruit contains several antioxidants such as flavonoids and mogrosides. They prevent the formation of free radicals, harmful ions that can damage your cells. The antioxidants also get rid of existing free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to your cells, especially in organs like the liver.
Reduces blood sugar levels and prevents diabetes
Research suggests that flavonoids and mogrosides in monk fruit can reduce blood sugar levels. According to a study, monk fruit extract can reduce inflammation, repair damaged cells in the pancreas, and relieve symptoms in mice with diabetes. In another animal study, rats with type 2 diabetes were given mogrosides for 13 weeks. The rats showed improved insulin activity and reduced blood sugar levels. The mogroside extract helped prevent complications in the rats with diabetes.
Monk fruit extract may also be able to repair a damaged pancreas, improve insulin production, and reduce oxidative damage. It also improves good cholesterol levels and promotes helpful antioxidant enzymes in the liver, which can help prevent complications like diabetic neuropathy. This makes monk fruit potentially safe for consumption if you have diabetes.
Prevents obesity
Mogrosides present in monk fruit improve the activity of enzymes that break down fat. Research shows that eating mogrosides helps suppress fat and cholesterol levels and reduce body weight in mice with obesity. Within 1 to 3 hours of eating mogrosides, the fat content in mice blood was seen to decrease.
A lab study also showed that mogrol, a form of mogrosides from monk fruit, decreased fat accumulation in rat cells. However, more studies are needed to assess these anti-obesity effects in humans.
Boosts immunity
Monk fruit polysaccharides can increase the activity and function of immune system organs like the thymus and spleen in mice. They have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties. They can also improve immune function in immunocompromised mice or mice with poor immunity. This suggests that monk fruit can have similar effects on humans.
Reduces cough
Mogrosides in monk fruit have anti-tussive effects in mice. This means that they can reduce the frequency of cough and mucus production.
Research also shows that mogrosides may have protective properties that can potentially prevent some respiratory problems like asthma.
Protects the liver
Monk fruit can protect the liver and even repair liver damage. S. grosvenorii contains mogroside V, which has liver-protecting effects. In mice with liver injury, mogroside V reduced oxidative damage in liver cells.
Research also shows that mogrosides suppress the activity of enzymes that can cause oxidative damage in liver cells. They also remove lactic acid from blood and improve the liver’s antioxidant capacity to protect it.
Kills bacteria and fungus
Fruit extracts of luo han guo have strong antibacterial effects. Studies show that monk fruit extract can weaken or kill microbes like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Streptococcus mutans. This suggests that monk fruit has potential antimicrobial effects.
Fights cancer
Animal and lab studies have revealed that monk fruit seems to have cancer-fighting properties.
Reduces tiredness
Monk fruit can treat fatigue or tiredness. A study showed that monk fruit extract had anti-fatigue effects in mice that were tired after exercising. Monk fruit extract increases the level of glycogen in the liver and muscles without increasing lactic acid levels in mice, so having monk fruit can likely reduce tiredness after activity.
SOURCES:
FDA: "Additional Information about High-Intensity Sweeteners Permitted for Use in Food in the United States."
Food Insight: "Everything You Need To Know About Monk Fruit Sweeteners."
Frontiers in Pharmacology: "Screening Bioactive Compounds of Siraitia grosvenorii by Immobilized ß2-Adrenergic Receptor Chromatography and Druggability Evaluation," "The Fruits of Siraitia grosvenorii: A Review of a Chinese Food-Medicine."
Monk Fruit: "For the Whole Family," "Frequently Asked Questions," "What Is Monk Fruit?"
Pantnagar Journal of Research: "Monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii) - health aspects and food applications."
Plos One: "Mogrol Derived from Siraitia grosvenorii Mogrosides Suppresses 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Differentiation by Reducing cAMP-Response Element-Binding Protein Phosphorylation and Increasing AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphorylation."
