Here’s Why Monkfruit May Be The Superfood of 2026

Sweet Stuff: You might be familiar with monk fruit as a zero-calorie alternative to sugar or artificial sweeteners, but the fruit has a lot more going for it than just that. It’s packed with antioxidants and other powerful plant compounds. 

The Benefits: Monk fruit (luo han guo) is a small melon that’s native to China. We usually see it in its crystallized form, sold in bags like sugar. A little of that goes a long way: It’s more than 100 times sweeter than sugar. The pulp and peel of the whole fruit, however, contain high levels of antioxidants, which protect cells from the oxidative stress that can lead to inflammation and various chronic diseases. The plant metabolites in monk fruit may also have protective benefits against cancer. It’s not clear if monk fruit sweetener offers the same benefits. 

How to Use It: Monk fruit is often used medicinally for coughs and sore throats. Steep it to make a simple tea (or try this one with dried chrysanthemum). Make a soup with watercress or a syrup with pear, ginger, and other edible roots. If you can’t find whole monk fruit in your local supermarket, check Asian grocery stores or order it online.