Jackfruit: Nutrition and Health Benefits
June 23, 2022 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in Nutrition Facts
Jackfruit is a fruit native to India, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. It is known for its large size and hard, inedible shell. Jackfruit has been used in many traditional dishes from South Asian cuisine. The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It’s also used as a vegetable and is made into pickles, chutneys, jams and more.
The jackfruit tree’s scientific name is Artocarpus heterophyllus, which means “one-seeded breadfruit.” and it belongs to the Moraceae family. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word for “fruit of a jack tree.” It’s also known as the custard apple or the Indian gooseberry.
What is Jackfruit
Jackfruit is a large, spiny, tropical tree-borne fruit with an edible, pulpy interior that has been cultivated in the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.
Jackfruit is a tropical fruit native to India and Southeast Asia. It is a large tree that produces a large number of flowers, each with a single, huge, edible seed. Jackfruit is a fruit that is native to South Asia. It can grow up to 18 feet long and weigh 80 pounds.
Jackfruit can be eaten either in its ripe, fermenting state or unripe, so as it ripens, the flesh of fruit pods becomes edible. Though it’s most commonly used in sweet dishes, it can also be eaten raw or cooked as an ingredient in savory dishes like curries and stir-fries.
Nutritional Facts
Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that is commonly eaten as a vegetable. It has a sweet and sour taste and can be used in many different ways. Jackfruit is a high-value fruit that has an impressive nutrition profile.
One cup of sliced fruit provides the following nutrients:
- Calories: 155
- Protein: 2.84 g
- Fat: 1.06 g
- Carbohydrates: 38.36 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Sugars: 31.48 g
- Magnesium: 48 mg
- Potassium: 739 mg
- Vitamin C: 22.6 mg
Jackfruit is a healthy source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber, and some other essential vitamins and minerals.
It contains a moderate amount of calories, providing 155 in a one-cup (165-gram) serving. Approximately 92% of the calories come from carbohydrates, while the rest come from protein and a small amount of fat. Jackfruit offers more than 3 grams of protein per cup, unlike other types of fruit like apples and mangoes.
Health Benefits
The benefits of jackfruit are so many that they are hard to list them all. Jackfruit can be eaten raw or cooked, it can be used as a meat substitute, it’s high in fiber and low in fat, and it contains a lot of vitamin A and potassium.
Jackfruit is also rich in several types of antioxidants, which are likely responsible for the majority of its health benefits.
Blood Sugar Levels
Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that can help with Blood sugar levels. Jackfruit can provide relief for people suffering from diabetes and other metabolic conditions.
The jackfruit is also high in potassium and low in sodium. It has been used as a natural remedy for diabetes since ancient times. It has low Glycemic index and contains vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.
Foods with a higher glycemic index (GI) score are more likely to cause spikes in blood glucose levels than those with a lower GI score. This system can help people with diabetes plan their meals and can also help treat type 2 diabetes in some cases. Jackfruit has an intermediate GI score, but other parts of the plant may help treat type 2 diabetes as well.
One study had promising results in preventing the breakdown of fats and complex carbohydrates into sugars that could lead to diabetes. However, confirming these effects will require future studies in humans.
Blood Pressure
Jackfruit has been traditionally used as an alternative to bananas in Indian cuisine and it is believed that consuming it can help lower blood pressure.
Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that is loaded with nutrients and has been used as a natural remedy for a number of health conditions. It is rich in potassium, iron, magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin A.
Potassium counteracts the effects of sodium and reduces tension in the walls of blood vessels. A cup of raw, sliced jackfruit contains 739 mg of potassium.
However, potassium-rich diets can be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions that alter their bodies’ ability to regulate potassium.
Cancer
Jackfruit is a fruit that has been used in traditional Indian medicine to treat cancer. Free radicals are reactive molecules that occur naturally in the body and can damage cells. This damage, known as oxidative stress, may play a role in the development of several chronic diseases, including cancer.
Jackfruit contains substances called phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. Phytochemicals strengthen the body’s immune system, prevent new blood vessels from growing around cancerous cells and reduce the cells’ blood supply.
It is believed that the fruit contains a substance called jackfruit lectin which inhibits the growth of cancer cells. The jackfruit lectin found in jackfruits binds to receptors found on the surface of cancer cells and prevents them from growing. The lectin also activates human immune system cells known as natural killer cells, which attack and kill off cancer cells.
Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol levels in jackfruit vary depending on the variety of the fruit. The American variety has lower cholesterol levels than the Indian varieties. Jackfruit’s high fiber content makes it an ideal low-cholesterol fruit option for those who are trying to avoid cholesterol-rich foods like meat, eggs, and dairy products.
The American variety of jackfruit has about 40% less total cholesterol than the Indian varieties, which have about two times more total cholesterol than beef or chicken breast.
Jackfruit contains high levels of cholesterol, which could cause heart problems in people with high cholesterol levels.
LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, is a waxy deposit that can stick to the inner walls of arteries and restrict blood flow. As these deposits build up, they can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Digestive health
Jackfruit has been used in traditional medicine and can help with digestive health. Jackfruit seeds have prebiotic fibers that can help support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Jackfruit is rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. It can also be used for digestive health. Jackfruit has been known to help with constipation due to its high water content and laxative properties.
Jackfruit, particularly the seeds, is a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber has the potential to lower LDL cholesterol levels and help prevent spikes in blood glucose. Dietary Fiber may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and colon cancer.
Skin and Wound Healing
Jackfruit is a good source of vitamin C, which helps the body maintain a healthy and balanced immune system.
The jackfruit is a fruit that has been used by many cultures for centuries to heal wounds and treat skin ailments. It has been proven to be effective in treating skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. It also helps in removing scars from burns and other injuries. The fruit is loaded with antioxidants that help in reducing inflammation while promoting healthy skin growth.
One of the incredible benefits of collagen is the fact that it has a role in keeping skin healthy. It keeps the skin strong and helps support those tough beauty products you depend on, like makeup and skincare.
Ulcers
Jackfruit has been used for centuries to help heal ulcers. It contains fibers that help with digestion and absorbs moisture from the stomach lining.
The jackfruit seed contains a protein called bromelain which helps in the growth of new cells and tissue as well as in the healing of wounds and ulcers.
Summary
Jackfruit is a plant that grows in tropical regions. It is rich in fiber, potassium, and vitamin A. The fruit has a distinctive flavor and is often eaten raw or used to make pickles.
The presence of phytochemicals in plants may provide treatments for several health conditions.
Jackfruit is a popular meat substitute that can be cooked in a variety of ways, from baking to grilling. The unripe flesh has a texture similar to chicken or pulled pork when cooked.
Jackfruit is a fruit that is safe for most people. However, anyone with an allergy to latex or birch pollen should take caution before eating the fruit.