The health benefits that fruits provide prove their importance in diet. Fruits such as blueberries and strawberries are excellent sources of antioxidants and a host of vitamins and minerals. It's no surprise that there would be a diet that revolved around fruit. Different fruits have assumed the star feature of fad diets such as the grapefruit diet.
The berries of this shrub resemble large cranberries. The name, “miracle fruit,” describes its almost magical ability to transform sour-tasting foods into sweet-tasting ones. A protein called miraculin is responsible for the change in taste perception.
A chemical reaction occurs when miraculin comes in contact with acidic foods like lemons or grapefruit making them taste sweet. Explorers in Africa documented this unique property in the 18th century.
Health Benefits of Miracle Fruit
If one has a sweet tooth, miracle fruit may open up new possibilities in diet choices. By altering the taste of foods that one may not enjoy, one can expand the diet and increase its nutritional value. A study by San Diego State University, published in the February 2011 issue of Appetite, identified its potential as a sweetener.
Researchers reported that after eating miracle fruit, low sugar desserts tasted sweeter to participants. These findings show its potential to make foods low in sugar more palatable without increasing the calorie count. The effects of miracle fruit last 30 minutes to two hours.
Reduction in Insulin Resistance
Another potential exists if an individual is insulin resistant or pre-diabetic. This term describes a condition in which the body does not respond properly to insulin, keeping blood sugar levels elevated. Over time, it can lead to full-blown diabetes.
A study by Mackay Memorial Hospital and College of Oral Medicine and Taipei Medical University in Taiwan, published in the November 2006 issue of Phytotherapy Research, found that ingestion of miracle fruit improved insulin sensitivity in experiments done with rats. Researchers concluded that these findings provide evidence of a possible treatment option for diabetics with insulin resistance.
Use of Miracle Fruit
One can purchase miracle fruit in the United States. It is not, however, approved by the FDA as a sweetener. Its potential in as a dietary supplement lies in its sweet-inducing properties. One can use it to switch high-sugar and high-caloric snacks to healthier low-calorie options by eating a berry prior to a snack or meal.
Doing so may shave some calories off of one's daily intake and possibly aid weight loss. While considered safe, one should always consult her doctor before taking miracle fruit, especially if the individual has a pre-existing health condition.
Sources:
- Chen, CC., Liu, IM., & Cheng, JT. (2006). Improvement of insulin resistance by miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) in fructose-rich chow-fed rats. Phytotherapy Research, 20(11):987-992. Retrieved from PubMed.gov. Retrived from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16941611
- Levin, Rachel B. (2010, October 6). The Sweet Benefits of Miracle Fruit. Retrieved October 28, 2011, from http://www.gayot.com/lifestyle/health/features/miracle-fruit-health-benefits.html
- Park, Madison. (2009, March 25). 'Miracle fruit' turns sour things sweet. Retrieved October 28, 2011, from http://articles.cnn.com/
- Wong, JM & Kern M. (2011). Miracle fruit improves sweetness of a low-calorie dessert without promoting subsequent energy compensation. Appetite, 56(1):163-166. Retrieved from PubMed.gov. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20951752
