Monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii), also known as luo han guo, is a small, green, round fruit native to China. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine for various healing purposes, and researchers continue to explore the potential health benefits associated with this fruit. In a study published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, researchers found that monk fruit can improve stem cell function, leading to a slower aging process.
A team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College in Beijing looked at the anti-aging effects of monk fruit in a mouse model. For the study, the research team fed mice with monk fruit for 10 months.
The results revealed that the consumption of monk fruit slowed the aging process in mice. The researchers wrote that this anti-aging effect occurred because the fruit enhanced the function of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are responsible for the production of mature blood cells in the bone marrow. In addition, monk fruit consumption increased the ability of HSCs to regenerate.
The consumption of monk fruit maintained quiescence of Lin-Sca1+CD117+ (LSKs). Moreover, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to damage cells, as well as the reduced the amount of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase positive cells were reduced. Furthermore, monk fruit decreased the expression of senescence-associated proteins in mice. All of these improved the function of HSCs, thereby, slowing the aging process. With these findings, the research team concluded that eating monk fruit may prolong the life of a person by improving stem cell function.
13 Amazing Health Benefits of Monk Fruit
1. Promotes weight loss
The monk fruit helps lower the risk of obesity because it has zero calories and cabs which prevent weight gain. For anyone watching their waistline, the monk fruit can be a great substitute for the typical table sugar and ingredients such as chocolate.
A 2016 study published by the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics illustrated that mogrol component in monk fruit inhibited the differentiation of pre-adipocytes (pre-fat cells) into mature adipocytes (fat cells), which significantly minimizes the ability of the body to add general fat mass.
2. Fights against diabetes
One of the most destructive daily consumables to humans is the overconsumption of sugar. However, the monk fruit is a great alternative to artificial sugar because it is a natural sweetener. For this reason, the monk fruit is effective in protection against diabetes. It is safe for consumption for people with diabetes because its sweetness originates from natural compounds called mogrosides that bring down the blood glucose levels in the body.
Moreover, it is a proven ant hyperglycemic that aids in the treatment of diabetes. The fruit is, therefore, considered to safeguard one against diabetes because it never causes fluctuations of blood sugar levels in the body. It also improves the secretion of insulin in the body.
3. Prevention of cancer
Artificial sugars are highly associated with different cancers as sugars cause inflammation in the body that eventually become cancerous. Cutting sugar from diet by consuming the monk fruit, therefore, comes with anti-cancer benefits. Besides, research shows that monk fruit contains anti-carcinogen properties which have the ability to inhibit skin and breast tumor growth.
The fruit’s mogrosides – praised for their antioxidant characteristics, inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The mogrosides simply lower the amount of DNA damage by free radicals by optimizing the antioxidant systems in the body. A cancer study in mice revealed that mogrosides V inhibited the progression of pancreatic cancer cells. The mogrosides also inhibit leukemia cell growth, and throat as well as colorectal cancers.
4. Anti-inflammatory and Anti-fibrotic properties
The monk fruit mogrosides is praised for their antioxidant characteristics, which protects the body from tissue damage by free radicals – a main source of inflammation. Hence, the anti-inflammatory property of monk fruit is ideal for the prevention of many diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and digestive problems.
And unlike anti-inflammatory drugs that come with side effects such as liver damage, the monk fruit provides a safe alternative with its mogroside properties. It also helps to reduce phlegm and relieve sore throats when used to make hot drinks. In addition, the mogroside IIIE in monk fruit may act as a potential anti-fibrotic compound as research indicates that it can control inflammation and tissue scarring in the lungs.
5. Fighting infections and prevents kidney failure
Due to its natural microbial agent, the monk fruit inhibits the growth of unwanted microbes by providing helpful anti-microbial properties that maintain the correct bacterial balance in the gut.
For example, artificial sugars and sweeteners are feed the gut with unfriendly and pathogenic bacteria like Candida albicans while the sugar from monk fruit promotes a healthy gut by providing friendly bacteria such as L. casei, B. bifidum, L. salivarius, and L. acidophilus.
Hence, it is effective in suppressing the surge of antibiotic resistance. It is also used in the treatment of sore throats and gum diseases in the mouth. Also by inhibiting sugar overload, it prevents kidney failure.
6. Promotes longevity
The monk fruit goes by the name Longevity fruit or “luo Han guo,” which simply stresses the potency of the fruit. During the aging process, people start experiencing massive stress internally, increased inflammation, and the breakdown of tissues as the body degenerates.
Regular consumption of the monk fruit makes people live longer because the antioxidants in the fruit’s mogrosides control the inflammation and degeneration of body cells. From fighting free radicals in the body, shielding the body against inflammation, fighting infections, to the provision of high energy levels; the monk fruit can protect against premature and rapid aging.
7. Promotes heart health
The monk fruit helps lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This is because it contains components that prevent oxidizing of cholesterol. Oxidizing is the building up of cholesterol into plaque in the arteries and blood vessels.
The mogrosides in monk fruit has the capability to protect cholesterol in the body from building up and may even increase HDL cholesterol which is good for cardiovascular functions.
8. Benefits the immune system
The antimicrobial properties present in the fruit help maintain the bacterial balance in the gut that keeps the body’s immune system in check. In addition, the antioxidants fight off the harmful radicals that cause diseases and illnesses. The monk fruit also prevents DNA damage.
9. Relief from seasonal allergies (a Natural Antihistamine)
Human bodies are made up of mast cells that mediate histamine response – the inflammatory responses initiated when our bodies’ sense foreign stimuli like an insect sting or allergen. During the pollen season, for example, the histamine response is responsible for nasal congestion experienced.
Similarly, the swelling when stung by a bee or an ant is caused by the histamine response. Allergies in general, therefore, arise due to a foreign stimuli that initiate the histamine response.
This is where the benefit of monk fruit is realized because studies show that the fruit has the potential of lowering the histamine response to allergies, just like the mast cells. As such, daily use of monk fruit is directly correlated with relief from allergies.
10. It can be used in baking and as a natural sweetener for a variety of home foods
The sweetener from monk fruit is heat stable and can thus be used in baking as a substitute for sugar. It can be an essential sweetening ingredient, especially for those who want to move away from the destructive lifestyle of artificial sugar overconsumption or those with diabetic conditions. Moreover, the monk fruit sweetener can be used to sweeten coffee, tea, salad dressings, sauces, and frostings.
11. Allergic reactions from the use of monk fruits are rare
Compared to other natural sweeteners, allergies from the monk fruit are rare. Hence, people allergic to fruits from the gourd family such as melons can always opt for the monk fruit. By adopting the use of monk fruit as a natural sweetener, the chances of seeking medical attention or experiences of allergic reactions such as rashes and vomiting will be considerably reduced.
12. Supplies the body with beneficial vitamins and minerals
Unlike sugar which destroys the body by depleting it of vital body vitamins and minerals, the monk fruit has numerous vitamins and minerals that are highly beneficial for the body. When eaten fresh, the monk fruit offers mogrosides I-V compounds that help control diabetes as well as inflammation. Vitamin C in the fruit can stimulate the production of white blood cells thus boosting the overall immunity of the body.
13. Ensures hormonal balance, improves sleep, and reduces depression
Pharmaceutical research reveals that there is a connection between the consumption of artificial sugars and the rewiring of brain pathways. This causes hormonal imbalances and insomnia, and increases the risk of depression by 58%.
The excess artificial sugars also impair blood flow thereby impacting on one’s hormonal balance. Thus, the use of monk fruit as a natural sweetener will surely ensure the bodies’ hormones are balanced, improve sleep, and reduce depression.
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