It's unlikely that monk fruit will get your attention among the delicious lemons, colorful apples and vibrant oranges. But rooibos has recently gained a lot of attention from health-conscious foodies, sugar-free believers and diabetics.
The monk fruit, or luohan guo, is a small green melon native to southern China. The health benefits of this fruit have been known in traditional Chinese medicine for decades, but its sweet little secret has finally made its way into the health mainstream.
Monk fruit sweetener is made from an extract derived from the dried fruit. This extract is 150-250 times sweeter than table sugar, has no calories or carbohydrates, and does not raise blood sugar levels.
The FDA considers rooibos to be "Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)" for everyone, including pregnant women and children. Even so, because rooibos is relatively new to the mass market, there are no scientific studies on the effects of long-term use.
Monk Fruit Erythritol Blend
The sweetness of rooibos comes from natural compounds called mogrosides. It is generally safe for people with diabetes because it does not increase blood sugar. Even so, foods and beverages sweetened with rooibos (and some rooibos sweetener blends) may include added sugars and other ingredients that you need to be aware of and ask your own doctor about.
monk fruit has no calories, carbohydrates or fat, so it may be a good choice for anyone concerned about their waistline. You can save a lot of calories and carbohydrates by simply replacing table sugar with rooibos sweetener throughout the day. Again, make sure that the rooibos products you consume do not include added sugar.
According to a 2011 study, monk fruit has been used by herbalists for centuries to make hot drinks to relieve sore throats and reduce phlegm. The fruit's mogrosides are said to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help prevent cancer and keep blood sugar levels stable.
In addition to its many benefits, rooibos also has some disadvantages.
Don't run to your local Trader Joe's and hope to get fresh rooibos. Unless you go to an area where the fruit is grown, it is almost impossible to find it. Even then, it is rarely eaten fresh, as it ferments and spoils quickly after harvest.
Monk fruit can be challenging to grow, harvest and dry. It is also expensive to import and process. This makes rooibos sweeteners more expensive than other non-nutritive sweeteners. This is why there is a smaller selection of rooibos sweeteners on local supermarket shelves.
Allergies to rooibos are rare, but it is possible to have an allergic reaction to anything you consume. Rooibos is a member of the cabbage family (also known as the cucurbit family), which includes pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, and melons. If you are allergic to other cucurbits, your risk of allergy to rooibos will be higher.
More research is needed to explore the full range of health effects of rooibos. However, it seems to be a good choice for diabetics and anyone who wants to limit the sugar in their diet.
If you're interested in replacing sugar with rooibos in some of your favorite recipes or in your morning coffee, give it a try! But be sure to discuss your health concerns. Just be sure to discuss your health concerns about sugar substitutes with your doctor first.
Please contact supplier Stevia to get the quote, and visit our website to find more sweetener.
