When you have a love for all things sweet, you know it can be incredibly difficult to resist delicious treats, or even that afternoon pick-me-up. We all know how bad sugar can be. It’s addictive. It can hide in many foods you don’t normally connect with sugar. It can contribute to weight-gain and cause a whole host of health problems. Not so sweet then, is it?

With the decline of sugar, a whole list of alternatives have popped up that claim to be much better for you. However, most sugar alternatives come with their own negatives. When they taste good (Re: Xylitol), they still have calories, and don’t really do much for your health beyond fewer of them. When they’re natural and have no calories (Re: Stevia), they don’t taste right. Quitting sugar then becomes a puzzle to solve - which one do you choose?

Well there’s some good news. Over recent times, Monk Fruit has risen in popularity as a natural sweetener that delivers similar sweetness to sugar, while being great for your health. A sacred fruit discovered over a thousand years ago, it has long been prized for its sweetness and for promoting good health, being respected for its anti-inflammatory qualities, and for being packed full of healthy antioxidants. But recent research has suggested that the fruit and its extract could be even better for you!

Here’s what you need to know about whether Monk Fruit has anti-cancer properties.

• The antioxidants in monk fruit’s mogrosides help reduce DNA damage by free radicals, which researchers link with cancer growth.

• Oxidative stress has a strong link to cancer as a disease. Since monk fruit is a source of antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress, monk fruit extract may also help fight against cancer.

• A study in Life Sciences claims monk fruit has a protein that curbs the risk of cancer. When researchers studied the effects of mogrosides on mice with cancer, they found that monk fruit extract helped inhibit the growth of cancer cells (colorectal and throat.) It also reduced tumor growth.

• The glucose molecules found in sugar have been shown to aid in the growth and spread cancer cells within the body. Therefore by reducing excess amounts of sugar consumption, this can help reduce the incidence of cancer.

• A study conducted by Liu et al (2016); took a look at the natural compounds in Monk Fruit called MogrosideV. They were shown to inhibit the production of pancreatic cancer cells and other tumor cell types. MogrosideV also triggered death to certain cancer cells.

Pretty impressive for a small fruit, if you ask us. It’s no wonder that monk fruit has been considered to be the secret to longevity and earned the name “The Immortals’ Fruit” because the monks who consumed it regularly lived longer, and in the prime of their health. The “Longetivity Fruit” indeed!