Monk fruit, also known as Luo Han Guo, is a small, green gourd native to southern China and northern Thailand. Its extract is used as a natural sweetener, providing a zero-calorie alternative to sugar. Unlike other sweeteners, monk fruit extract contains natural compounds called mogrosides, which are intensely sweet but do not impact blood sugar levels, making it popular among those managing diabetes or following low-carb diets. Its sweetness can be up to 200 times that of sugar, and it is often used in beverages, baking, and other recipes as a sugar substitute.