This Ancient Sugar Substitute Has a Surprising Benefit Beyond Sweetness, New Research Says

When people try to cut back on added sugars, coffee is typically the first culprit folks look to. Options like monk fruit stand out particularly for anyone in search of a natural, zero-calorie, and zero-glycemic way to sweeten drinks without the blood sugar spike. Now, new research suggests its benefits may extend well beyond its sweetness.

Native to Southeast Asia, monk fruit is a small melon that's been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Modern studies have only looked at its role as a sweetener, until now. In the study, published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, researchers analyzed the pulps and peels of four different monk fruit cultivars to better understand their key active compounds and potential antioxidant mechanisms.

“The amazing thing about monk fruit is that the same chemical compound that makes it sweet enough to use as a no-calorie sweetener is also a powerful antioxidant,” Daryl Gioffre, DC, best-selling author of Get Off Your Sugar, tells Men's Journal. Gioffre was not involved in the study. "Monk fruit lowers inflammation due to its powerful antioxidants that prevent inflammation and fight free radicals."

Researchers identified 29 antioxidant-related metabolites that interact with 26 core biological targets involved in oxidative stress and cellular protection. These targets were strongly linked to signaling pathways associated with cancer-related processes, particularly those tied to breast and prostate cancers.

And while the findings do not suggest that monk fruit can prevent or treat cancer, they help explain how its antioxidant compounds may influence biological pathways connected to disease development.

Related: Superagers Have a Genetic Advantage Against Dementia, Study Says

Among the samples tested, researchers found notable differences, with certain cultivars showing higher concentrations of beneficial compounds than others.

“It is crucial to conduct an in-depth investigation on the high-resolution metabolic profiles of different Luohan Guo (monk fruit) varieties, providing valuable insights into the nutritional and health characteristics as well as the manufacturing suitability of the various resources available from this plant," the authors shared in a statement.

Experts note that, because monk fruit extract is so sweet, it's typically used in small amounts, which could limit the health benefits it might provide. Still, it makes a promising case for monk fruit as more than just a sugar substitute.

"This study didn’t directly assess humans, so we don’t know how much of an impact monk fruit may have on the body based on this study alone," Avery Zenker, R.D., of MyHealthTeam, tells Men's Journal. Zenker was not involved in the study. "It provides intriguing evidence that monk fruit may have more uses than simply a sugar-free sweetener. I wouldn’t be choosing monk fruit solely for its antioxidants yet, but it might be a potential bonus if you’re already using it for other reasons."

Men's Journal reached out to study authors for an official comment.

Related: We Put the Best Electrolyte Powders Through Brutal Workouts. Only These Made the Cut