Luo Han Guo fruit extract, commonly called monk fruit extract, comes from the Siraitia grosvenorii fruit. Compounds called mogrosides give it a sweetness 150 to 200 times stronger than sugar, yet it supplies no calories. Food and beverage makers, along with supplement formulators, regularly use it as a natural sugar substitute.
Some people take monk fruit extract hoping to get antioxidant benefits. Evidence for health effects beyond sweetening remains sparse, though. In traditional Chinese medicine, practitioners have used it to soothe the throat and support respiratory comfort, but mainstream clinical proof for that tradition is lacking.
Most people tolerate monk fruit extract without issue. Add it to coffee, tea, or food at any time of day. No known drug interactions exist. Drinking or eating very large amounts, however, may upset the stomach.