Anyone know anything about monk fruit?

SoosannahK

So after a discussion on another post here about alternatives to diet soda I thought I'd give the Zevia a try if I came across it. I found it and decided on the Dr Zevia (it's not bad but no Dr Pepper) flavor since I am a Diet Dr Pepper fanatic. On the ingredients I noticed monk fruit extract. A little of Dr Google and I found that it was used as a sweetener. Has anyone tried any monk fruit sweeteners? I currently use Stevia when I need sweet and the only time I get artificial sweetener is with soda. So trying to cut that one out. I'm down to diet soda occasionally throughout the week only at work. I work every 3rd day 24 hr shifts. Sometimes during long shifts where we have ran constantly I need a little pick me up and too much coffee gives me heartburn. I think the Zevia would be a nice alternative as it does have caffeine in it but no artificial sweetener. Home is strictly water, some coffee and my 8oz glass of Stevia sweetened tea at supper.
Thoughts and impressions?

Sunny_Bunny_

I thought monk fruit extract had carbs... I didn't know Zevia used anything besides stevia either, but I've never actually had it.
You might get more energy out of a shot of MCT oil than the little caffeine though. Just an idea.

SoosannahK

From what I have read pure monk fruit extract has no carbs. Sweeteners such as Nectresse and Monk Fruit in the Raw have other added sweeteners so I think those are a no-no especially since Nectresse adds sugar AND molasses and Monk Fruit in the Raw adds dextrose and those have 0.5/tsp. Think I will stick to my Stevia. The Dr Zevia flavor uses erythritol, stevia and monk fruit extract. I didn't look at the other flavors.

It's not so much the energy as it is the staying awake factor. I have energy out the wazoo since starting LC but when I have been up since 0530 the morning before and it's almost 24 hrs later I just really want to stay awake. No what I really want to do is go to bed and sleep like the dead but sometimes that isn't an option until my shift is over. And I have tried to cut the caffeine but it triggers horrible migraines I just don't wanna go through. I know that if I did get it out of my system that the headache would probably end but I can't tolerate the migraine so I have caffeine and it goes away. And people say I am not very nice when I try to cut out the caffeine I figure I have given up cigarettes, sugar and carbs, I am gonna keep one vice for now and not make my poor coworkers suffer anymore than they have to

I have considered getting some MCT oil to use in my BPC in the am. Right now using coconut oil. Any thoughts on switching from CO to MCT for BPC? I have to admit I was initially afraid to try the coffee, but oh my goodness, that is some good stuff and I stay full until after lunch time. Definitely an upgrade to my morning cup of joe and I don't even have to cook breakfast. I even got Hubby drinking it peppermint mocha style, little cocoa powder and a smidge of peppermint extract, he's happy.

Sunny_Bunny_

MCT oil basically concentrates the caprylic and capric acid by reducing the lauric acid. Nothing wrong with the lauric acid, it has its own great benefits, but it's the caprylic acid that apparently provides the quick mental energy burst. So, MCT oil has a much more concentrated caprylic acid content compared to coconut oil.
Dave Aspreys idea is that the combination of caffeine and caprylic acid along with the butyrates in the butter are the best way to "hack your brain" to achieve your best mental performance. This is the goal of his Bulletproof coffee.
I'm not giving up caffeine either! I've been researching treating ADD without medication and while I don't achieve the same result as when I take Adderall, I feel much more "normal" (not zoned out, not completely unable to focus and more aware and alert), when I've gone without meds and instead had a fair amount of MCT and butter in my coffee. Since I'm trying to lose weight still, I haven't quite taken the multiple tablespoons that Dave would likely suggest to get better results, but I may give it a shot one day. But, considering I've been taking the maximum dose of Adderall for about 10 years now and can get any kind of results from just oil and butter, is pretty dang impressive. I will likely have to cut my dosage back little by little and adjust over time.
I would expect someone without ADD and not taking methamphetamines for many years could get better results than I do. But, I don't have anyone to test my theory on. Lol

KarlaYP

A while back @DittoDan mentioned using monk fruit. I'm sure it's in his blog. Maybe that will help you with the issue. I haven't used it, since I've stopped using any sweeteners months ago.