8 incredible benefits of monk fruit

Monk Fruit is the zero calorie, all natural sweetener that Lakanto is made from. But aside from its benefit as a sugar alternative, monk fruit also comes with a host of health benefits too. 

1. Fights free radicals: Monk fruit’s mogrosides, the compounds that give it its intense sweetness, are also powerful antioxidants. Oxidative stress plays a part in many diseases and disorders, and choosing high-antioxidant foods is the key to reducing free radical damage in the body. 
2. Lowers risk of obesity: Sugar is incredibly damaging when consumed in the amounts that most Australians do today. This surge in sugar intake has ballooned obesity rates, as well as cases of diabetes. Although there are a number of artificial sweeteners available, the side effects of sugar substitutes like aspartame make them more harmful than the natural stuff. Monk fruit extract does not affect blood sugar the way natural sugars do. providing the sweet flavour we love without the damaging side effects.
3. Acts as an anti-inflammatory and coolant: Ancient Chinese usage of this fruit included drinking tea made from the boiled fruit to cool the body from external and internal sources and ailments from fever to heat stroke. It was also used to soothe a sore throat. This method worked because of monk fruit’s anti-inflammatory abilities. 
4. Helps treat and prevent cancer: Scores of studies have proven the anti-carcinogenic effects of the natural sweeteners contained in monk fruit. From studies displaying its abilities in inhibiting skin and breast tumor growth to providing proteins that have potent anticancer abilities, monk fruit is a great warrior in the fight against cancer. There is irony in the fact that other sweeteners are proven to increase the risk of cancer, while monk fruit sweetener has the power to reduce it (6, 7, 8, 9).
5. Zero calories and zero carbohydrates: Monk fruit extract contains no calories and no carbs, making it a great option for a ketogenic diet. The mogrosides (antioxidants) help manage blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of insulin, which can improve the transportation of sugar out of the bloodstream. 
6. The Immortal fruit: Monk fruit is often known as a sacred fruit of longevity, and in recent years it has been given the title of super food in Western countries. Near Guilin City in Xiang Tian there is a town known as the longevity village. It is said that most of the villagers regularly take monk fruit as a tea and many live to celebrate their 100th birthday.  
7. Anti-microbial: Unlike sugar, which may feed unwanted microbes in the intestinal tract, monk fruit compounds actually exhibit beneficial anti-microbial properties that may help maintain proper bacterial balance. 
8. No side effects: One of the best aspects of monk fruit is it has no reported side effects!  Lakanto Monk Fruit Sweetener is a mixture of monk fruit and erythritol. Together, they make a blend that perfectly matches the sweetness of sugar as a 1:1 sugar replacement!. In addition, its granulated form looks, tastes, bakes and smells like sugar. The sweetener has no additives, is non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, and so much more.