What are the medicinal values of monk fruit?
As an oriental divine fruit that combines food and medicine, monk fruit has a unique medicinal value that has been passed down for thousands of years. The dried fruit of this cucurbitaceae plant is recorded in traditional Chinese medicine as having the effects of moistening the lungs, relieving cough, clearing heat, and cooling blood. Modern research has even discovered that monk fruit contains up to 24 trace elements and 49 bioactive substances, with its core component mogroside having a sweetness 300 times that of sucrose but with zero calories. Let us delve into the health code of this magical fruit through a scientific perspective.
Five core health benefits of monk fruit
1. Moistens the lungs, relieves cough, and dissolves phlegm
The D-mannitol and mogroside in monk fruit form a natural cough suppressant combination. The former can dilute sputum, while the latter can inhibit cough center activity. Experiments show that its cough-relieving effect is comparable to dextromethorphan, without the side effect of drowsiness. This is the key reason why 90% of cough syrups choose monk fruit extracts.
2. Chronic disease prevention and treatment system
Monk fruit polyphenols and triterpenoids can reduce total serum cholesterol by 23.6%, and its antioxidant index is 10 times that of vitamin C. Clinical studies have shown that continuous consumption for three months can significantly improve myocardial blood supply in patients with coronary heart disease, with a repair rate of endothelial function in hypertensive patients reaching 68%.
3. Beauty and anti-aging mechanism
Every 100g of monk fruit contains 330-480mg of vitamin C, complemented by SOD enzyme to form an antioxidant matrix. By activating the Nrf2 pathway, it can effectively eliminate free radicals and extend cell lifespan. In vitro experiments have confirmed that its extracts can increase the proliferation rate of skin fibroblasts by 42%.
4. Metabolic regulation function
The dietary fiber content in monk fruit reaches 38.6%, and its water-soluble fiber can extend the gastric emptying time by 3-4 hours. The unique mogroside V can regulate GLUT4 transporters, reducing the area under the postprandial blood glucose curve by 29%. This is the ideal sugar substitute for diabetics.
5. Intestinal health maintenance
Monk fruit polysaccharides can promote the proliferation of bifidobacteria by 2.8 times while inhibiting the activity of Escherichia coli. Its effect on moistening the intestines and facilitating defecation is not simply stimulating the intestines but is achieved through regulating the balance of intestinal flora, avoiding dependency.
From "Compendium of Materia Medica" to modern pharmacological research, the medicinal value of monk fruit continues to be verified and expanded. This natural herb is not only a good prescription for cough patients to moisten their lungs but also an ecological solution for modern people to combat metabolic syndrome. It is recommended to keep the daily intake within 10-15g and pair it with chrysanthemum and wolfberry to enhance its effects. However, those with wind-cold cough should pair it with ginger, and pregnant women are advised to consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner before taking it.