Katenin can be eaten directly. This substance, known as the sweetest in the world, has a sweetness 600,000 times that of sucrose. Despite its high sweetness, consumption does not adversely affect health. Due to its strong stability and low nutritional value, even excessive consumption does not lead to tooth decay or elevated blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is a substance consumed by diabetic patients and added to weight-loss foods.
1. Katenin is the sweetest substance in the world. It is extracted from the wild plant "Katafei" in the forests of the Republic of Ghana in Africa. Its sweetness is 600,000 times that of sucrose. Also known as West African arrowroot, its scientific name is Thaumatococcus daniellu, belonging to the Araceae family. It is mainly distributed in the tropical rainforests from Sierra Leone to Zaire, and also found in Central Africa, Angola, and other places. The plant can grow up to 3 meters tall, with wide, elliptical, and paper-thin leaves.
2. This sweet substance from West African arrowroot is not a sugar but a protein, so it does not cause tooth decay or elevate blood sugar levels. Many people may be concerned that excessively sweet things are not beneficial to health, but British scientists have conducted experiments that prove that even excessive consumption does not adversely affect the body but is instead beneficial to health.
3. Due to its long-lasting sweetness, African arrowroot sweetener is often used in chewing gum, toothpaste, instant coffee, and even in the diets of diabetic patients. It is a relatively safe sugar substitute as its metabolism does not require insulin and has very low calories.
4. This fruit actually resembles the condiment "Caoguo" in China, both growing at the root and requiring digging out from mud during harvesting. However, its yield is quite high, as the tropical rainforest climate allows it to bloom and bear fruit almost year-round, making it an important economic crop for farmers in West Africa.
