Jackfruit the ‘Miracle Fruit’, Its Health Benefits and More

Related Articles

Jackfruit contains a distinct musky smell with a deliciously sweet taste. It is a unique tropical fruit that is harvested during fall and summer.

It can grow to enormous sizes, that measures between 25-75 centimeters in diameter, 10-60 centimeters in length and can weigh between 10-100 pounds, which makes it the largest tree-borne fruit in the world.

Benefits of Jackfruit:

Nutrition of Jackfruit: For Food and Healing

1 cup or 165 grams or jackfruit contains 2.6 grams of fiber, 2.4 grams of protein and around 190 calories, which makes it nutritious and filling.

High fiber content acts as a laxative, moving food through your colon for smooth elimination to help prevent waste from sticking around and clogging your colon.4

Seeds:

Jackfruit’s seeds are rich in potassium, protein, iron and calcium. Just 3.5 ounces provide 7 grams of protein, 38 grams of carbohydrates and 1.5 grams of fiber. This is 6% of the dietary reference intake or DRI.

Fiber Content:

According to Livestrong:

“Fiber helps to fill you up, which makes it easier to lose weight, help lower your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and constipation. Also, the seeds of jackfruit provide resistant starch, which may help to improve blood sugar control and keep your gut healthy.”

Vitamins

The DRIs of jackfruit components are very impressive, as well: For about 7 tablespoons or 100 grams of jackfruit contains 23% of the DRI in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps fight colds and flu, infection, and free radicals that can weaken your immune system.

While there’s not a huge amount of vitamin A, that contains flavonoids such as xanthin, carotene-ß, cryptoxanthin-ß and lutein, there’s enough to positively influence your antioxidant levels and improve both your skin, vision and protection from mouth and lung cancers.

Good Source of Calcium, Folic Acid, and Other Nutrients:

Jackfruit peel has been cited in studies for its ability to remove the heavy metal cadmium, which is a known human carcinogen that acts in 2 ways: It disturbs a DNA repair system and harms DNA directly that helps in preventing cancer.

See also  Why is Durian the King of Fruits, Its Health Benefits and More

A study in 2010, showed a serious vitamin A deficiency in Central American and Panamanian populations, which jackfruit could help alleviate.

The same amount nets 25% of the pyridoxine, or vitamin B6, which is needed in a day. A study revealed how it helps in slowing the rate of brain atrophy and cognitive impairment, which are common in Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Also, jackfruit contains high amounts of riboflavin, niacin, calcium, folic acid, manganese, iron, magnesium and potassium, with the latter essential for optimum function of body fluids and cell to help control your blood pressure and heart rate.

Plant Compounds of Jackfruit:

1. Carotene-ß

This powerful antioxidant helps in protecting from cancer, aging and boost eye health.

2. Cryptoxanthin-ß

Cryptoxanthin-ß is converted into Pro-Vitamin A. It helps in reducing the risk for rheumatoid arthritis by at least 41% and risk of lung cancer by 30%. Also, it protects from DNA and Eye damage from free radicals.

3. Lutein

Research showed that Lutein protects from cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

4. Potassium

Potassium helps in renewing heart health.

5. Xanthin

An excellent antioxidant, that protects from harm caused by free radicals.

6. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

Vitamin B6 is an excellent nutrient to help protect from anemia. It is good for building immunity, heart health, stroke prevention and more.

7. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is known to help in the treatment dry eye syndrome. It also decreases the risk of macular degeneration (AMD). Vitamin A benefits eye health and prevents any harm to it.

Read More:
1. 10 Amazing Reasons to Eat Jackfruit
2. Why is Durian the King of Fruits, Its Health Benefits and More
3. 7 Powerful Health Benefits of Cherries

photo credit: pixabay

More on this topic

Comments

Popular stories