LUO HAN GUO fruit by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

 Luo han guo is a very sweet fruit found in China. Extracts of luo han guo (also spelled Luo han kuo or lo han kuo) are now being marketed as a sweetener. The amounts normally used are so small that luo han guo is not likely to have any appreciable effect on human physiology.

My experience with luo han guo
I keep luo han guo on my kitchen counter and use it to sweeten teas. It is low-calorie, has a fruity sweetness, and I would recommend it as an alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. It's great that we now have two low or no-calorie alternatives to traditional sweeteners: stevia and Luo han guo. I prefer Stevia since it is a much more potent sweetener.

Lo Han Sweet Jarrow Formulas

Lo Han Kuo is the fruit of Momordica grosvenori, a plant cultivated in the mountains of southern China. Mogrosides, which are water extracted from the Lo Han fruit, offer a pleasant, sweet taste without elevating blood sugar. Lo Han Kuo Mogrosides are up to 250x sweeter than sugar.

Xylitol, a naturally occurring polyol, is sweet with a distinct cooling sensation in the mouth. Xylitol is metabolized differently from a conventional sugar and does not cause or contribute to tooth decay. Xylitol is as sweet as sugar, having 40% less calories.
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Inulin-FOS (FructoOligoSaccharide) is a soluble fiber and promotes beneficial intestinal bacterial growth.

Lo Han Sweet advantages:
• Low Glycemic Index: Does not cause extreme fluctuations in blood sugar.
• Heat Stable: Very stable under high temperature, and can be added to both hot as well as cold foods. Suitable for cooking and baking.
• Low Calorie: 2 calories per serving of 2 g (about 1/2 teaspoon).

One serving of Luo han kuo Lo Han Sweet equals approximately 24 grams of sugar in sweetness, with only 2% of the calories.

Luo han kuo Nutrition Facts
Serving size 2 scoops (2g)
Calories 2
Total Fat 0 g 0%DV
Sodium 0 mg 0%DV
Total Carbohydrate 2 g 1%DV
Dietary Fiber 1 g 4%DV

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Usage: Use Lo Han Sweet -  Luo han kuo to enhance taste in place of high-calorie sugars. Mix with tea, coffee, or other beverages, desserts and foods to sweeten as desired.
Active Ingredients: Xylitol and Lo Han Kuo (Momordica grosvenori, or Siraitia grosvenorri).
Inactive Ingredients: Inulin-FOS (FructoOligoSaccharide) and silicon dioxide.

Luo han guo is a very sweet fruit found in China. Extracts of luo han guo (also spelled Luo han kuo or lo han kuo) are now being marketed as a sweetener.

Luo Han Guo emails
Q. For those who do not want to trigger their insulin, & who are watching their weight, is Luo Han Gao considered a good sugar alternative?
     A. Thus far it appears to be a good choice, along with stevia.

Other sweeteners to consider are D Mannose and Xylitol.