#1

Key Points

  • Lucuma, a South American fruit known for its caramel-like flavor, is gaining popularity as a lower-calorie, antioxidant-rich alternative to sugar.
  • Lucuma contains fiber, polyphenols, and carotenoids, which may support blood sugar regulation and heart health and help reduce oxidative stress.
  • Typically sold as a powder, lucuma can be added to coffee, oatmeal, smoothies, and baked goods, but it’s less sweet than sugar.

If you’re looking to eat healthier, you might want to steer clear of added sugars. (These are sugars that food manufacturers add to products to enhance flavor or prolong shelf life, according to Harvard Health.) Consuming a diet high in added sugars can raise your risk of dying from heart disease, increase the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes or certain cancers, and even accelerate cellular aging. So if you want to live a longer, healthier life, replacing your regular cane sugar may be one of your best options.

That’s where alternative sweeteners — including everything from stevia, monk fruit, agave, and more — come in. Most can be found at your local grocery or health food store and are available in powder, crystal, or liquid form. But one you might not be familiar with is lucuma, a fruit from South America that resembles an orange avocado — and may offer just as many health benefits.

Lucuma, as a recent study shows, had “significant amounts of polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.” Additionally, the research found that lucuma’s “fatty acid profile was also favorable, with a high percentage of α-linolenic acid, which is associated with numerous health benefits.”

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#3

Has anyone tried this Lucuma? They sell it on Amazon. I get the feeling I would need too much of it to sweeten my coffee.

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