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The luo han guo fruit, also known as “monk fruit”, is naturally sweet. In fact, the special extract is 300 times sweeter than sucrose! Because luo han guo extract is sweet without affecting blood sugar, it is perfect for a healthy sugar substitute. Luo han guo extract in Lakanto® has:

·       Zero calories. Your body does not break down the unique chemical components of the fruit like other simple sugars and carbohydrates.

·       Zero glycemic index. Because your body metabolizes luo han guo differently, your blood glucose and insulin levels do not rise like they do with other sugars.

·       Zero additives. Lakanto® is made of the natural extract of the luo han guo fruit and erythritol.

The exotic luo han guo fruit grows high in the Chinese mountains, in the Guangxi province.

The Chinese have been using luo han guo fruit as a sweetener and natural remedy for years. They dry the fruit, which has a sweet toffee or caramel-like flavor, and use it in teas to ease fever, coughing and phlegm. They even use the tea for digestive troubles. In fact, the Chinese call luo han guo the "longevity fruit," because the people who live where it is cultivated often reach the ripe old age of 100!

FIGHTS FREE RADICALS

Monk fruit’s mogrosides, the compounds that give it its intense sweetness, are also powerful antioxidants. Oxidative stress plays a part in many diseases and disorders, and choosing high-antioxidant foods is the key to reducing free radical damage in the body. Studies have shown that mogrosides “significantly inhibited reactive oxygen species and DNA oxidative damage” (1, 2). The fact that the same monk fruit ingredients that provide antioxidants also provide a no-calorie sweetener makes it nothing less than a superfood.

LOWERS RISK OF OBESITY

Sugar is incredibly damaging when consumed in the amounts that most Americans do today. It’s estimated Americans consume 130 pounds of sugar per year, as opposed to our ancestors in the early 1800s who averaged about 10 pounds. This surge in sugar intake has ballooned obesity rates, as well as cases of diabetes.

Although there are a number of artificial sweeteners available, the side effects of sugar substitutes like aspartame make them more harmful than the natural stuff. Monk fruit extract does not affect blood sugar the way natural sugars do — providing the sweet flavor we love without the damaging side effects.

Using Lakanto® Monkfruit Sweetener can help those already suffering from obesity and diabetes from furthering their condition because it works as a natural obesity treatment. (3) Another benefit is that the sweetener is extracted from non-GMO fruit, unlike table sugar and high fructose corn syrup.

ACTS AS AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND COOLANT

Ancient Chinese usage of this fruit included drinking tea made from the boiled fruit to cool the body from external and internal sources and ailments from fever to heat stroke. It was also used to soothe a sore throat. This method worked because of monk fruit’s anti-inflammatory abilities.

Inflammation can cause a host of issues throughout the body, and many modern anti-inflammatory medications come with harmful side effects, such as liver damage. Using monk fruit is a natural way to fight inflammation. Many studies prove its anti-inflammatory powers are most likely the reason it’s able to positively affect so many other diseases and disorders. (4, 5).

HELPS TREAT & PREVENT CANCER

Scores of studies have proven the anti-carcinogenic effects of the natural sweeteners contained in monk fruit. From studies displaying its abilities in inhibiting skin and breast tumor growth to providing proteins that have potent anticancer abilities, monk fruit is a great warrior in the fight against cancer. There is irony in the fact that other sweeteners are proven to increase the risk of cancer, while monk fruit sweetener has the power to reduce it (6, 7, 8, 9).

Along with these incredible benefits, monk fruit has the following advantages:

·      nti-carcinogenic

·       Regulates blood sugar

·       Prevents and decreases oxidative stress related to diabetes

·       Prevents tooth decay

·       Anti-inflammatory

·       Inhibits tumor growth

·       Antioxidant

·       Antihistaminic

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol naturally found in grapes, pears, mushrooms, soy sauce, cheese, wine and beer, so it and has been part of the human diet for thousands of years.

You may be familiar with other sugar alcohols like xylitol, sorbitol, and maltitol used in sugar-free candies and chewing gum. But erythritol is different and much better than these other sugar alcohols because it is fermented.  Many people have trouble with foods sweetened with sugar alcohols. Diarrhea, gas, and bloating are common side effects of other sugar alcohols. But Lakanto® does not cause diarrhea, gas and bloating because Lakanto® sweetener is made by fermentation while the other sugar alcohols are made from hydrogenation.

The erythritol in our Lakanto® is specially fermented from non-GMO corn that is safe for consumption. It is also naturally low calorie because your body excretes about 90% of it.The remaining 10% turns into harmless gases and short chain fatty acids in your large intestine. Don’t worry, Lakanto® will NOT cause embarrassing flatulence.

The two natural ingredients in Lankanto® are Non-GMO erythritol and the supersweet extract of the luo han guo fruit (monk fruit). This combination ​makes one of the best healthy natural sweetener discoveries of the century.

While we will not be able to provide our exact percentage ratio, as this is a proprietary formulation, please consider the following information:

• Erythritol has sweetness strength of 60-70% of sugar.

• Monk fruit is 250-300 times sweeter than sugar.

The monk fruit in Lakanto®​ constitutes about 30-40% of the sweetness

For information about Erythritol and animals, please refer to the following article the the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8933641

Consult your veterinarian before using it on your animals.

The erythritol used in our Lakanto® Monk Fruit Sweeteners is derived from Non-GMO corn and has the status of "Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) from the FDA and is widely used in many other countries.

After much toxicology and clinical studies, erythritol has been found to be safe for consumption as a sugar substitute, even when consumed on a daily basis and in high amounts.

If you would like to know more about erythritol listed below is a link to an article posted on the US National Library of Medicine.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5011233/

Erythritol, Monkfruit Extract

Coconut Oil, Lakanto® Sweetener (Erythritol, Monk Fruit Extract), Tapioca Fiber, Sunflower Seed Butter, Dutched Cocoa, Acacia Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Sugarcane Fiber, Brown Rice, Fava Bean Protein, Seaweed Derived Calcium and Magnesium, Natural Flavors, Salt. CONTAINS: COCONUT

Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Non-GMO Lakanto® Monkfruit Sweetener (Erythritol and Monk Fruit Extract), Natural Flavors, Cultured Dextrose (Preservative), Cellulose Gum, Sea Salt.

Water, Vegetable Fiber, Non-GMO Lakanto® Monkfruit Sweetener (Erythritol and Monk  Fruit Extract), Vegetable Glycerin, Natural Flavors, Cellulose Gum, Sea Salt.

Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Non-GMO Lakanto® Monkfruit Sweetener (Erythritol and Monk Fruit Extract), Cocoa, Natural Flavors, Potato Starch, Salt, Cultured Dextrose, Sodium Bisulfate, Konjac, Xanthan Gum.

Tapioca Fiber, Rice Flour, Dutched Cocoa, Non-GMO Lakanto® Monkfruit Sweetener (Erythritol and Monk Fruit Extract), Sugarcane Fiber, Brown Rice, Oat Fiber, Natural Flavors, Salt, Baking Powder, Konjac, Xanthan Gum.

Tapioca Starch, Pea Protein*, Chickpea Powder, Algal Protein, Brown Rice Protein, Vegetable Fiber, Natural Flavors, Lakanto Monk Fruit Sweetener (Erythritol and Monk Fruit Extract), Oat Fiber, Baking Powder, Rice Bran, Sea Salt, Organic Cinnamon, and Potato Flour.

*There are a couple ways pea protein is processed. Both involve the removal of fiber and starch. We get isolated pea protein, meaning it has a higher percentage of pure protein than a concentrated pea protein would. It has been separated according to the recommendation by Body Ecology.

Arriba Cocoa Beans, Lakanto® Sweetener (Erythritol, Monk Fruit Extract), Cocoa Butter, Vegetable Fiber, Sunflower Lecithin, Sea Salt, Natural Flavors.

Arriba Cocoa Beans, Roasted Chopped Almonds, Lakanto® Sweetener (Erythritol, Monk Fruit Extract), Cocoa Butter, Vegetable Fiber, Sunflower Lecithin, Sea Salt, Natural Flavors.

Arriba Cocoa Beans, Lakanto® Sweetener (Erythritol, Monk Fruit Extract), Cocoa Butter, Vegetable Fiber, Sunflower Lecithin, Sea Salt, Natural Flavors.

Tapioca Fiber, Rice Flour, Dutched Cocoa, Non-GMO Lakanto® Monkfruit Sweetener (Erythritol and Monk Fruit Extract), Sugarcane Fiber, Brown Rice, Oat Fiber, Natural Flavors, Salt, Baking Powder, Konjac, Xanthan Gum.

Lakanto® Monkfruit Sweetener (Non-GMO Erythritol, Monk Fruit Extract), Matcha, Vegetable Fiber, Potassium Chloride, Calcium, Guar Gum, Sea Salt, Natural Flavors, Algae Flour, Natural Flavors, Probiotics.

Water, Monk Fruit Extract, Flavor (preservative)

Lankanto® products are free of:

• Wheat

• Dairy  

• Egg

• Fish

• Gluten

• Peanuts

• Sesame

• Soy

The following products have milk, eggs, fish, shellfish and soy present in the same manufacturing plant:  Lakanto® Classic Monkfruit Sweetener, Lakanto® Golden Monkfruit Sweetener, Lakanto® Powdered Monkfruit Sweetener, Lakanto® Pure Monkfruit Extract 50% and 30%, Matcha, Lakanto® Drinking Chocolate, Lakanto® Low-Carb Pancake & Waffle Mix, and Lakanto® Low-Carb Brownie Mix.

The following products have Soy present in the same manufacturing plant and is present in other products manufactured on the same line:  Maple Flavored Syrup, Liquid Monk Fruit Extracts, Flavoring Syrups, and Chocolate Syrup.

The following products have Tree Nuts and Soy in the same manufacturing plants and are present in other products manufactured on the same line:  Plain, Almond and Nib Chocolate Bars.

Almonds (tree nuts) are present in Almond Chocolate Bars.

Lakanto® Classic Monkfruit Sweetener has more of a clean, crisp sweetness while the Lakanto® Golden Monkfruit Sweetener has more of a sweet maple flavor and smell. Our classic is like white sugar, and the golden is similar to brown sugar.

The difference between the sweeteners comes from which part of the monk fruit they originate. The Classic (white) sweetener is extracted from the white pulp. The Golden (brown) sweetener is extracted from the seed and peel of the monk fruit. They differ in flavor comparable to white and brown sugar. The texture of the Golden is drier than brown sugar — it is not moist. Apart from these differences, the sweetness profile and nutritional content of both sweeteners are the same.

The Lakanto® Maple Flavored Syrup is vegan, gluten free, and all natural.

Lakanto® Matcha Latte Drink Mix is essentially processed green tea leaves that have been stone-ground into a delicate powder. The powder is then sifted and whisked with water. Because of the laborious process required to produce Matcha, it is generally pricier than other teas.

It has the equivalent antioxidant content as 10 cups of green tea. The entire green leaf is dissolved in water instead of ground into tea bags so you get all the plant’s antioxidants.

Matcha is packed with health benefits including:

• Enhances metabolism

• Reduces stress

• Boosts your immune system and can even help reduce your risk of cancer

• Rich in antioxidants

• Increases alertness

• Slows aging

• Naturally detoxes

• Aids in weight loss

• Improves concentration

• Promotes relaxation.

To achieve desired moistness, you may need to add softening ingredients. Some of these include:

• Ripe banana puree

• Applesauce

• Soft baked yam

• Soft baked sweet potato

• Soft baked butternut squash

• Maple syrup

• Honey

• IMO powder

• Soft cooked oatmeal

• Palm "shortening"

• Liquid lecithin

• Vegetable glycerine

• Commercial almond milk

• Commercial cashew milk

• Commercial coconut milk

These last three contain vegetable gums that have thickening agents, which help retain moisture.

When used in large amounts, Lakanto® may crystallize if chilled. Lakanto® does not caramelize.

Yes. At 32°F (0°C) 20g Lakanto® Monkfruit Sweetener dissolves in 100ml of water. Be aware that it may crystallize when used in large amounts in chilled drinks.

Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener is not certified organic.  However, there are no pesticides used in the production of Lakanto Monkfruit.

Our vegetable fibers are sourced from both corn and tapioca.  Neither are genetically modified. Our vegetable fibers are approved by the Non-GMO Verification Project.

We use the following natural flavors: licorice, vanilla, and citrus. Our natural flavors are plant-based and all natural.  Our exact formula is proprietary, but it doesn't contain MSG and is soy-free.

All Lakanto products which are Non-GMO verified will clearly be marked with the seal visible on the packaging. If you do not see the Non-GMO seal on the product's packaging, it is still going through the verification process. Our ingredients are non-GMO, but not all our products are certified non-GMO.

The following products have a shelf life of three years: Lakanto® Classic, Golden, and Powdered Monkfruit Sweeteners, Drinking Chocolate, Matcha Latte and Pancake & Waffle Mix. Lakanto Liquid Monkfruit Extracts and Lakanto Maple Flavored Syrup have shelf lives of 1.5 years and need to be refrigerated. Our Suntella and Brownie Mix have 2 year shelf lives.

Net carbs are the carbohydrates in food which your body digests and uses for energy.  Net carbs usually only count starches and sugars because most other types of carbohydrates have no energy value or impact on your blood sugars; so you don't count them towards your daily carbohydrate limit.

To calculate net carbs, take a food's total carbohydrate and subtract:

• Sugar Alcohols like erythritol, because your body doesn't digest them.
• Fiber, which is a type of carbohydrate our bodies don't break down, so it passes through our digestion unchanged.

Take Lakanto Maple Flavored Syrup for example.  The total carbohydrate is 9g.  You would subtract the dietary fiber of 3g and the sugar alcohol of 5g leaving the net carb at 1g.

Cultured Dextrose is a natural food additive we use as a preservative to inhibit the growth of mold and other unwanted bacteria. 

In order to create a healthy, high quality product which doesn't contain gluten, we decided to use fiber in some of our chocolate and baked goods.  Sugarcane Fiber is used commercially to make bread and other baked goods because it has a smooth texture and feel that is very similar to fat. 

Sugarcane fiber is a soluble fiber, which is very good for us.  It not only promotes intestinal regularity, but slows down the digestion rate of carbohydrates and stabilizes blood sugar.

Lakanto’s No-Risk 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is simple.  Any customer not completely satisfied with the product or purchase experience will receive a full product refund. To claim a refund, simply contact us within 30 days of receipt of product.

Refund Requests are processed daily by Lakanto®. Just remember that your bank may not be quite as quick as we are. Give them 2-5 business days to catch up.

If you provide the wrong address, your product will be returned to our warehouse. When the order is received by the warehouse, your product purchase will be refunded 100% if it is received in whole condition.

You will then place a new order and pay the full amount of the product and shipping charges.

We understand how annoying it is to have your package stolen! Unfortunately, it does happen.

We use Fedex because they ensure your packages will be delivered. However, the window between delivery and when you grab your package off the porch is a time when neither Fedex nor Lakanto is responsible for the package.

In the unfortunate event that your package is lost or stolen, please contact us and we will help you as much as we are able.

We do not ship internationally at this time.

• Undeliverable products due to customer providing incorrect address information

• Packages not delivered by an assumed delivery date

TSA policy states that granular items in excess of 12 ounces are subject to additional screenings.  While many Lakanto® products do not exceed the 12 ounce TSA limit, experience has demonstrated that even items in compliance with this policy are subject to additional screenings at the discretion of the individual TSA agent.  As such, we recommend that when flying with Lakanto®, you include it in your checked baggage.