Monk fruit sweetener comes from monk fruit and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. But the FDA did not approve it for use as a sweetener with the GRAS designation here in the US until 2010. Monk fruit extract has zero calories and carbohydrates and is 100-250 times sweeter than sugar so it’s often mixed with other sweeteners like erythritol to reduce the intensity though it is also sold as a sweetener on its own. It has uses from being added to coffee and tea, to baking, and more. The sweetness comes from antioxidants called mogrosides and some studies have shown that because of this, monk fruit extract may offer antioxidant properties. There’s also some evidence that monk fruit extract may be associated with decreased cancer cell growth, decreased blood sugar levels, and increased levels of HDL cholesterol. More research is needed to make more definitive claims in all of these areas though. While monk fruit extract has been approved for use and there are no major side effects to be aware of, we don’t have as many studies as we do with other sweeteners in our food supply. So, more research is certainly needed, but my opinion is if you’re looking for an added sugar alternative, monk fruit is another potential option to choose from. As always, chat with your doctor to better underderstand if monk fruit sweetener is a good option for you. #milknhoneynutrition #diabetes #bloodsugar #type1 #t1d #type1diabetes #type2 #t2d #type2diabetes #prediabetes #bloodsugarfriendly #monkfruit