THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO KICKING SUGAR by Flora Zhao - HTML preview

Chapter 2

NATURAL SWEETENERS: HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO SUGAR

According to the Molecules review, mogrosides have

been found to effectively reduce blood sugar and lipid

levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. In a study involv-

ing mice with diabetes, those given monk fruit extract or

mogrosides experienced significant decreases in fasting blood sugar, glycated serum protein, and insulin resistance. The treatment also resulted in a reduction in LDL

cholesterol and an increase in HDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, mogrosides can alleviate symptoms of diabetic nephropathy, according to the Frontiers in Pharmacology

review.

Consuming monk fruit sweetener one hour before a meal does not increase blood sugar Monk fruit beverages, made from monk fruit powder

levels.

and water, have already been granted patent registrations A recent systematic review and meta-analysis con-in China. The review published in Frontiers in Pharma-

ducted by Canadian researchers showed that in the short

cology suggested that such drinks are suitable for people term, like water, beverages sweetened with noncaloric ar-with diabetes.

tificial or natural sweeteners didn’t affect metabolism and Moreover, according to the Foods review, the flavo-endocrine function.

noid compounds found in monk fruit can significantly

There is currently limited human research on monk

lower blood sugar levels and protect the pancreas, while

fruit sweeteners, unlike stevia. However, numerous cellu-

the polysaccharides can ameliorate lipid disorders and re-lar models and animal experiments have indicated that

duce plasma glucose levels.

mogrosides provide various beneficial effects for both

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, according to a review published in the journal Foods.

Mogrosides have been shown to regulate lymphocyte

A Promising Natural Approach to

antigens in Type 1 diabetic mice and exhibit therapeutic

COVID-19

effects on symptoms. Monk fruit extract can also alleviate and repair damage to pancreatic beta cells and promote

Monk fruit has long been used in traditional Chinese

insulin secretion, according to the Frontiers in Pharmacol-medicine (TCM) to treat cough, sore throat, bronchitis,

ogy review.

and asthma. According to the Frontiers in Pharmacology

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Chapter 2

NATURAL SWEETENERS: HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO SUGAR

review, records of its effectiveness in relieving phlegm, al-Mogrosides exhibit comprehensive anti-cancer activities,

leviating pain, clearing heat, and moisturizing the lungs—

as evidenced by various experiments. According to the

key concepts in TCM—can be traced back 2,000 years.

review in Foods, they can inhibit the invasion and migra-

“In particular, during the summer, it is recommend-

tion of lung cancer cells, induce cell apoptosis, and impede ed to consume monk fruit when experiencing symptoms

the proliferation of colorectal and laryngeal cancer cells.

such as sore throat, throat discomfort, or cough,” Jonathan Moreover, mogrosides can disturb the growth cycle of pan-Liu, a professor of Chinese medicine at Georgian College

creatic cancer cells and cause cell death. According to the and the director of Liu’s Wisdom Healing Centre in Cana-Frontiers in Pharmacology review, monk fruit extract has

da, told The Epoch Times.

also been found to have inhibitory effects on liver cancer.

A study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology in Additionally, mogrosides can help inhibit the toxicity

2022 demonstrated that mogroside V can effectively tar-

of carcinogens, according to a paper published in Cancer get multiple sites of COVID-19, potentially helping treat Letters. For instance, they can help prevent skin cancer in-those infected with the virus.

duced by exposure to certain chemicals, according to com-

Mogrosides can also inhibit the release of inflamma-

mentary published in Future Medicinal Chemistry.

tory factors, effectively suppressing and reducing pulmo-

Animal studies mentioned in the Cancer Letters pa-

nary fibrosis.

per have shown that phytochemicals in monk fruit can

According to the Molecules review, numerous animal

even directly kill tumor cells.

studies have demonstrated that monk fruit extract can significantly inhibit cough and enhance sputum excretion. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties and can help

Improves Cognitive Health

manage asthma. Additionally, mogrosides show a protective effect against acute lung injury.

Mogrosides can alleviate neuroinflammation in brain cells and help manage Alzheimer’s disease, according to the

Molecules review. They can also reduce memory impair-

ments and prevent hippocampus apoptosis. In addition,

Wide-Spectrum Protection and

animal studies mentioned in the Foods review have shown

Benefits

that mogrosides can effectively improve schizophrenic be-

haviors in mice and modulate partial permanent impair-

ment of the nervous system.

Anti-Cancer

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Chapter 2

NATURAL SWEETENERS: HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO SUGAR

Powerful Antioxidant

effects. However, Liu advised that people with cold con-

stitutions, such as those who frequently experience loose The Molecules review states that mogrosides are antiox-stools, have a large, pale tongue, or exhibit prominent

idant agents, enabling them to scavenge reactive oxygen

tooth marks on the edges of the tongue, may want to avoid species and protect cells. They can also inhibit DNA ox-monk fruit consumption.

idative damage, thereby slowing the aging process. Addi-

In addition, monk fruit belongs to the Cucurbitaceae

tionally, mogrosides demonstrate significant protective

family, which includes common plants such as cucumber,

effects against exercise-induced tissue damage, including zucchini, pumpkin, and melon. Therefore, people allergic

cardiac injury. The Foods review indicated they could also to these foods are more likely to be allergic to monk fruit.

improve nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by preventing liv-er fat accumulation and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

In addition, the flavonoids and polysaccharides found

in monk fruit also show vigorous antioxidant activity.

What to Know When Buying Monk

Fruit

Monk fruit offers numerous health benefits, but its cul-

Who Should Avoid Monk Fruit

tivation can be challenging. It has low germination rates Sugar?

and requires specific environmental conditions for suc-

cessful growth.

“Monk fruit sweetener seems to be fairly safe, though it

Fresh monk fruit is also tough to store and rarely seen

undergoes an artificial extraction process,” Wallace said.

in the market. However, dried monk fruit can be found

According to the information published by the FDA,

in some Asian grocery stores, Chinese herbal medicine

monk fruit extract is classified as “generally recognized

stores, and online.

as safe.” However, no specific acceptable daily intake has The traditional drying method for monk fruit in-been established for monk fruit extract, which is typical volves high-temperature hot air drying. However, in recent because evidence of the ingredient’s safety is established years, there has been a rise in the use of low-temperature for amounts well above that needed to achieve the desired freeze-drying for dried monk fruit, which helps retain a

effect in food.

higher concentration of beneficial compounds, especially According to TCM, monk fruit is considered to have

mogrosides.

a slightly cold nature and is associated with minimal side Because of their potent sweetness, solid powdered

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