Can pregnant women drink water infused with Luo Han Guo (monk fruit)?

Generally speaking, pregnant women can drink water infused with luo han guo (monk fruit), but should do so in moderation. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Luo han guo is cool in nature and sweet in taste, possessing functions such as clearing heat, moistening the lungs, relieving sore throat, improving voice, and lubricating the intestines to relieve constipation. During pregnancy, changes in the flow of qi and blood within the body can easily lead to internal heat, which may manifest as symptoms like dry throat, sore throat, and cough. Drinking luo han guo-infused water can effectively alleviate these discomforts, exerting effects of clearing internal heat and moistening the lungs, thereby helping regulate the body's balance in pregnant women and providing a relatively stable growth environment for the fetus. As long as it is consumed in moderation, it generally does not cause adverse effects on the pregnant woman or the fetus.

However, pregnant women often have relatively weak spleen and stomach functions, and excessive consumption may damage the yang energy of the spleen and stomach, leading to spleen-stomach cold deficiency and symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. If a pregnant woman has a constitution that is naturally cold, or suffers from chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, gastric cold, or other digestive system disorders, drinking luo han guo-infused water might exacerbate these conditions, negatively affecting health. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women consume luo han guo water in moderation.

Diet during pregnancy should follow the principles of balance and variety, while also considering individual body constitution and following medical advice, to ensure the health of both mother and baby.