9 Benefits of Lo Han Kuo for Body Health

Have you ever been with Lo Han Kuo? This is a type of herb from China which is often said to be effective in treating various diseases, including when the Covid-19 pandemic struck. One of the most popular benefits of lo huan kuo is to relieve sore throats.

But apart from that, lo han kuo can also be used as a natural artificial sweetener. Not only that, this fruit also contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances which are useful for health, including preventing stroke.

What is lo han kuo?

they have kuo (Momordica Grosvenor) is the fruit of the vine S. grosvenorii originating from Southern China. Lo han kuo fruit has a sweet taste, is round with a diameter of 5 to 7 cm and is yellow-brown or green-brown in color.

Lo han kuo is also known as monk fruit (monk fruit) or Buddha fruit because it is believed to have been first cultivated by Buddhist monks. This plant can be found in the Guangxi, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hunan, and Jiangxi provinces of China, as well as in northern Thailand.

Lo han kuo contains various natural substances that are beneficial for health, including triterpenoids, flavonoids, vitamins, proteins, saccharides and essential oils.

The main active ingredient of lo han kuo fruit is mogrosides, which are a group of triterpenoid glycosides from the fruit of the plant which are responsible for the sweet taste and biological effects of lo han kuo.

This fruit is often used as a natural sweetener from dried fruit extract. Lo han kuo fruit extract tastes 150-250 times sweeter than table sugar, but contains no calories and carbohydrates at all, so it does not increase blood sugar levels.

Traditionally, lo han kuo has long been used primarily to treat throat problems, including sore throats, hoarseness, asthma, coughs, pharyngitis, and bronchitis, in addition to treating other health problems.

Benefits of lo huan kuo for health

Fruit lo han kuo (Siraitia grosvenorii) or luo han guo, also known as monk fruit, has been used as a mixture of medicinal ingredients to treat various diseases for centuries.

Apart from being a natural artificial sweetener, there are also many benefits of lo han kuo for health, such as:

1. Relieves sore throat

The first benefit of lo huan kuo is that it can relieve a sore throat. According to study from 2011the mogroside compounds contained in lo han kuo function as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, which can be used to relieve sore throats and reduce phlegm.

2. Overcoming allergies

The anti-inflammatory properties of the mogroside compounds contained in lo han kuo fruit are also effective in treating various health problems such as allergies, irritation and inflammation in the external and internal organs of the body.

3. Caring for healthy skin

The mogroside content in lo han kuo also functions as an antioxidant that fights free radicals that cause premature aging. Therefore, consuming lo han kuo can help you maintain healthy skin.

4. Prevent the spread of cancer

The next benefit of lo han kuo is preventing the spread of cancer cells. The mogroside content in this fruit can inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

5. Control blood sugar

Lo han kuo which contains zero calories is good for people with diabetes to consume. The antioxidants in this fruit are also useful for lowering blood sugar levels and bad cholesterol which causes diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

In addition, lo han kuo extract tastes 250 times sweeter than granulated sugar, but has zero calories and carbohydrates. Not surprisingly, lo han ko extract is often used by diabetes sufferers as a safe substitute for sugar. Lo han kuo fruit extract is often used as a natural artificial sweetener mixed into food and drinks.

6. Prevent stroke and heart disease

Because of its ability to overcome various risks of cardiovascular disease, the mogroside antioxidants in lo han kuo fruit are also useful in preventing stroke and heart disease.

7. Increase body endurance

The next benefit of lo han kuo is increasing body endurance. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory content in this fruit can help improve the body’s defense system from various disease threats.

8. Helps lose weight

Lo han kuo fruit, which does not contain calories, carbohydrates and fat, is also good for consumption as a diet food. This fruit is also effective in helping you lose weight.

How to consume lo han kuo

Generally, lo han kuo fruit is sold in dried form. To consume it, you can process it by boiling or brewing it with hot water and then consume it as herbal tea or add it to dishes such as soups and stews.

Some other ways to prepare lo han kuo include:

• As a sprinkle for extra sweetness
• Added to coffee and tea as a substitute for sugar
• Sweetens dairy products such as yogurt
• As a substitute for sugar in favorite recipes

It can also be used in seasonings for baking dishes because the lo han kuo sweetener can remain stable at high temperatures.

Until now there have been no reports of side effects from using lo han kuo for hundreds of years in China. But limit the use of lo han kuo to moderation. Currently scientific research on the overall effects of lo han kuo fruit is still being developed.

However, it should be remembered that lo han kuo fruit may cause some individuals to experience allergies, especially individuals who are allergic to plants such as cucumber and pumpkin. Individuals who experience lo han kuo allergies will usually show symptoms in the form of skin rashes and itching, swelling of the tongue, dizziness and nausea, rapid pulse, and difficulty breathing.

Notes from SehatQ

Apart from being eaten directly, lo han kuo fruit is often extracted and used as an artificial sweetener. Lo han kuo extract is often mixed into coffee, tea, lemonade, smoothies, yogurt and cakes which are good for people with diabetes to consume.

If you want to consult a doctor directly about the benefits of lo huan kuo and other healthy foods, you can ask your doctor.