Monk Fruit Extract and Sustainable Health: A PRISMA-Guided Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Sustainable health approaches promote functional food alternatives that support metabolic well-being while reducing reliance on added sugars and artificial sweeten-ers. Monk fruit extract (MFE), a natural, non-caloric sweetener, is gaining interest for its potential metabolic benefits, but its effects and regulatory status require further evaluation. Objective: This PRISMA-guided systematic review synthesizes findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the impact of MFE on metabolic health, lipid profiles, inflammation, and regulatory considerations. Methods: The lit-erature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria were human RCTs evaluating MFE’s metabolic effects, while animal studies, reviews, and mixed-intervention trials were excluded. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the Jadad scale. Results: Ten randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria, demonstrating that monk fruit extract (MFE) reduces postprandial glucose levels by 10–18% and insulin responses by 12–22%. Some studies also reported reductions in inflammatory markers (↓IL-6, ↓TNF-α). No severe adverse effects were observed. Regulatory analysis indicated that MFE is approved for use in the United States and China, while its status remains under review in the European Union. Conclusions: MFE shows potential as a functional food ingredient for metabolic health. However, long-term clinical trials and a harmonized regulatory framework are essential to confirm its safety and efficacy within sustaina-ble health strategies.