Monk Fruit

Monk fruit, also known as luo han guo, is a small, round fruit native to Southeast Asia. It is cultivated for its juice, which is extracted and then dried to create a powder or liquid sweetener. The sweetness comes from compounds called mogrosides.

Monk fruit extract is used as a zero-calorie sweetener in a variety of food and beverage products. Manufacturers add it to reduce sugar and calorie content while maintaining sweetness. It is commonly found in beverages, dairy products, baked goods, and sweeteners.

Monk fruit extract is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a sweetener. Regulatory bodies like JECFA have evaluated monk fruit extract and have not set a numerical acceptable daily intake (ADI). Research suggests that mogrosides may have antioxidant properties, but more studies are needed to confirm health benefits at typical consumption levels. Evidence is mixed on potential digestive effects at very high intakes.