Lo Han Guo

botanical

What is it

Lo Han Guo (luo han guo, monk fruit, Siraitia grosvenorii) is a Chinese gourd whose fruit extract is intensely sweet due to mogrosides, particularly mogroside V. Monk fruit sweetener is a calorie-free natural alternative to sugar.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Sugar replacement (glycemic-friendly sweetener)

Strong

Non-glycemic sweetener; useful for diabetes and weight management when replacing sugar.

Antioxidant / metabolic

Limited

Preclinical evidence; clinical relevance unclear.

How it works

Mogrosides are about 150-300 times sweeter than sucrose. They bind sweet taste receptors but are not metabolized for energy, so they provide no calories and do not raise blood glucose. Mogrosides may also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity at higher doses, though this is mostly preclinical. Monk fruit extract is GRAS by FDA and widely used in low-carb and diabetic-friendly foods.

Dosage

Used at the lowest level needed for target sweetness. Commercial products often dilute pure mogrosides with erythritol or other carriers for volume.

When and how to take it

Not applicable; this is a sweetener used in foods.

2 commercial forms

Monk fruit extract (mogroside V standardized)

Not metabolized for calories.

Used as a tabletop sweetener.

Monk fruit + erythritol blend

Erythritol provides bulk; minimal calorie contribution.

Common consumer format.

Safety

GRAS. No specific safety concerns at typical food intake. EFSA has not formally authorized monk fruit sweeteners in the EU; some products use erythritol blends.

Who should be cautious

No specific groups need to avoid monk fruit. Erythritol blends may have GI effects in some users at high doses.

Interactions

No significant drug interactions reported.

Food sources

FoodAmount%DV
Monk fruit (rare fresh; mostly extract)intensely sweet from mogrosides—

Frequently asked questions

Is monk fruit safer than stevia?⌄

Both are non-glycemic and have GRAS status. Choice is mostly taste preference.

Does it raise blood sugar?⌄

No. Pure mogrosides are non-glycemic. Watch added bulking agents in some products.

References

  • Lo Han Guo on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link
  • Research on Lo Han Guo (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.