Monk fruit sweetner

sweeteners
(Christian Ross) #1

Anybody have any experience with monk fruit sweetener? Does it raise blood sugar? Hurt Ketosis?

(G. Andrew Duthie) #2

[Moving to Food category, and adding the sweeteners tag]

(Derek I. Batting) #3

I personally don’t have n=1 experience with it, but on paper it looks amazing for keto-ers and diabetics.

From the “In The Raw” website:

Is Monk Fruit In The Raw safe for people with diabetes?
Yes. Monk Fruit In The RawÂź can easily be incorporated into the diet of people with diabetes. Monk Fruit In The RawÂź contains less than one gram of carbohydrates (by food exchange measure) and may be used in conjunction with food programs for people with diabetes as well as with guidelines for people with diabetes who use carbohydrate counting. People with diabetes are advised to check with their registered dietician or physician.

How many calories and carbohydrates are in a packet of Monk Fruit In The Raw?
In our packet product, one packet (.8g) of Monk Fruit In The RawÂź has less than .8 gram (0% DV) of carbohydrates and less than 3 calories, which the FDA considers dietetically zero calories per serving.

What is the Glycemic Index (GI) of Monk Fruit In The Raw?
Glycemic index (GI) is a measure of how fast carbohydrate foods are metabolized into glucose and thus affect blood sugar levels. Most sugar substitutes contain a very small amount of carbohydrates and are not classified as foods. Assigning a GI value to a sugar substitute is not a proper use of the GI concept. The glycemic load is a more appropriate concept for sugar substitutes.

**What is the Glycemic Load (GL) and how does it relate to a sugar substitute like Monf Fruit In The Raw?
Glycemic load (GL) refers to the impact that a food’s carbohydrate content has on the level of glucose in the body, taking into account the type and amount of carbohydrates consumed. Using Monk Fruit In The Raw¼ in place of sugar can help to reduce the GL of the foods you consume.
Source: http://www.intheraw.com/products/faqs/monk-fruit-in-the-raw

From Diabetes Self-Management:

“As I previously mentioned, monk fruit extract is comprised of substances called mogrosides. Mogrosides have antioxidant properties (which is a good thing). And along with being an antioxidant, mogrosides appear to have anticancer properties and may have the ability to prevent diabetes complications. In a study with mice, mogrosides lowered oxidative stress, improved blood glucose, and lowered lipid (blood fat) levels.”
Source: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/sugar-substitutes-monk-fruit-extract/

From the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation website:

IS MONK FRUIT SAFE TO USE AS A SWEETENER?
Yes. Scientific research and a long history of safe use show that monk fruit sweeteners can be safely consumed. Governments in the U.S., Canada, China, Japan, and Singapore have concluded that monk fruit sweeteners are safe for the general population, including children, people with diabetes, and women who are pregnant or nursing. In the U.S., monk fruit sweeteners are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed the published research, listened to expert opinions and, based on the evidence, has no objections to ingredient maker determinations that monk fruit sweeteners are safe for use in foods and beverages.

CAN PEOPLE WITH DIABETES CONSUME MONK FRUIT SWEETENERS?
Yes. Since monk fruit is a no-calorie sweetener, it will not affect blood sugar levels and may be a good option for people with diabetes for reducing their total carbohydrate and sugar intake. Remember, a food or beverage containing monk fruit sweeteners may still have calories and carbohydrates, so always check the food label. If you’re unsure how foods and beverages with monk fruit sweeteners fit into your diabetes care plan, consult a health professional such as an RDN, certified diabetes educator (CDE), and/or your health care provider.
Source: http://www.foodinsight.org/blogs/everything-you-need-know-about-monk-fruit-sweeteners

#4

As I understand it, many products that say they are monk fruit are blended with something else like erythritol. The pure stuff is crazy expensive.

#5

Monk Fruit in the raw is cut with maltodextrin and will produce an insulin response. I just don’t understand how products can be marketed as zero calorie when the filler has a higher glycemic index than sugar.

(Karen Parrott) #6

I found steering clear of the sweetners, then eating small amounts of bell pepper or 85% chocolate (yes, I still stay in ketosis) or occasionally using rasperries in the summer or while on long hikes- that helped me lose my sweet cravings.

It turned out to me a requirement for me (just to keep me food sober from life long food addiction). Now that I know that substitute sweetners can be cut with binge triggers
 well, keeps my binge eating and my finances in check. Onward, not everyone has to get off the sweet.

(Larry Lustig) #7

This is from the material quoted:

which makes it sound like it could be pretty close to pure carbohydrate (although, if you only need one packet or two to sweeten something, still okay for keto).

(Derek I. Batting) #8

Wouldn’t that be .8 grams of carbs per 100 grams, hence the 0% (or, to be pedantic, slightly less than 1%) Daily Value?

(Larry Lustig) #9

It says “one packet (.8g) of Monk Fruit In The Raw¼ has less than .8 gram”, so it sounds like it’s mostly carbohydrate. I don’t think that’s true, but that’s what it says.

#10

They could use regular sugar as the filler and come the exact same calorie load. The portion of monk fruit in other formulations is 10% so .08g. All the non sugar versions of the ‘In The Raw’ products use the maltodextrin filler.

Edit: Actually 10:1 not 10%, so it would be .07g.

#11

Just thinking about my usage of sweeteners and if I used this (or Splenda it has the same calorie load), I could easily add an extra 10-20g of carbs daily using it( Sweet tea, coffee, treats, keto pancakes, etc). .8 doesn’t seem like much, but it adds up. Personally, I switched to the pure form of sucralose diluted with water for easier dosing even before keto. Saves money as well.

(bambiying2) #12

I really like the liquid monkfruit. It comes in a little squeezy bottle. I like sweet wine, so when I want wine I buy a dry Pinot Grigio and then squirt some monkfruit in it. Doesn’t appear to affect ketosis, but I’ve never used a monitor to see. Judging by how I feel and my weight the next day, all seems good.

(Cheryl Meyers) #13

It is sold in Japan under the name Lakanto and is a monk fruit-erithrytol blend. Apparently they make 3 types (google translate): https://www.amazon.co.jp/ăƒ©ă‚«ăƒłăƒˆ-ăƒ©ă‚«ăƒłăƒˆS-顆çȒ-800g/dp/B001GZCZOM/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=food-beverage&ie=UTF8&qid=1484729903&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=lakanto+らかんべ

__Rakanto is a series of “Natural sweetener” of made from Lo Han Guo extract and erythritol “calorie 0”_. _
_Because it is calorie 0, it is recommended for those who are restricted in calorie intake. _
_Also, since sweetness is adjusted to the same sweetness as sugar, it can be used in place of ordinary sugar, because it does not take time to convert during cooking. _
Because synthetic sweetener is not used, it is safe for children. Please easily try easy calorie off.

Image 2
_Rakanto proper use guide]
_suggestions of proper use to match the cooking scene and applications. _
_Rakanto S granules: Recommended for cooking to cook overheated. To simmered or stir - fry. _
_Rakanto S liquid: It is recommended for non-cooking. For chilies, cold drinks, yoghurt etc. _
_Rakanto White: Recommended for hot beverages. Stick type is for accompanying tea ceremony.

and here’s an Aussie site, with a graph from the maker showing bg levels after ingestion:

(AnnaLeeThal) #14

I really like Lakanto Golden. It looks like turbinado sugar. The best thing I’ve done with it is made cinnamon park rinds which end up tasting like Taco Bell cinnamon twists.

(Derek I. Batting) #15

That did it. I’m in. :heart_eyes:

(AnnaLeeThal) #16

Do you need the recipe?
Pork rinds+ melted butter+ cinnamon/Lakanto golden mixture.

(Derek I. Batting) #17

Do you have exact measurements and such? I’m totally not very good at “winging it” with recipes. :confused:

(AnnaLeeThal) #18

Hmmmmm


Maybe half a bag of pork rinds (plain of course)
4T butter-melt in microwave
2 tsp cinnamon
1T Lakanto

Pour the butter over the pork rinds in a gallon ziplock. Shake it up. Sprinkle on the cinnamon Lakanto mixture. Shake up some more. If you want them warm you can nuke it a little

(Derek I. Batting) #19

Awesome! Thanks so much!

(Janna Long) #20

Just say “NO” to maltodextrin as a “filler”. It has twice the glycemic index of sugar.:astonished: Yikes!