Jackfruit is a unique tropical fruit that has increased in popularity in recent years.
It has a distinctive sweet flavor and can be used to make a wide variety of dishes. It’s also very nutritious and may have several health benefits.
This article will discuss the advantages of adding jackfruit to your diet.
What Is Jackfruit?
Jackfruit is an exotic fruit grown in tropical regions of the world. It is native to South India.
It is part of the Moraceae plant family, which also includes fig, mulberry and breadfruit. Jackfruit has a spiky outer skin and is green or yellow in color.
One unique aspect of jackfruit is its unusually large size. It is the largest tree fruit in the world and can reach up to 80 pounds (35 kg) in weight.
Jackfruit has a subtle sweet and fruity flavor. It has been said to taste similar to a combination of fruits, including apples, pineapples, mangoes and bananas.
Vegans and vegetarians often use this fruit as a meat substitute due to its texture, which is comparable to shredded meat.
Since jackfruit is able to withstand tropical climates, it can be a major source of calories and carbs for people in developing countries who are at risk of starvation.
Although jackfruit is grown in tropical areas, it is becoming more widely available in other parts of the world, including the US. It is in season during the summer.
The most commonly consumed part of jackfruit is the flesh, or fruit pods, which are edible both when ripe and unripe. It can be used in sweet and savory dishes, including desserts and curries. The seeds are also safe to eat.
SUMMARYJackfruit is an exotic tropical fruit with a subtle sweet flavor that is consumed in many parts of the world. It can be eaten in a variety of ways.
Jackfruit Is Packed With Nutrients
Jackfruit has an impressive nutrition profile.
It contains a moderate amount of calories, providing 155 in a one-cup (165-gram) serving. Approximately 92% of the calories come from carbs, while the rest come from protein and a small amount of fat (3).
Furthermore, jackfruit contains some of almost every vitamin and mineral that you need, as well as a decent amount of fiber (3).
One cup of sliced fruit provides the following nutrients (3):
Calories: 155
Carbs: 40 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
Protein: 3 grams
Vitamin A: 10% of the RDI
Vitamin C: 18% of the RDI
Riboflavin: 11% of the RDI
Magnesium: 15% of the RDI
Potassium: 14% of the RDI
Copper: 15% of the RDI
Manganese: 16% of the RDI
What makes jackfruit unique from other fruits is its protein content. It provides more than 3 grams of protein per cup, compared to 0–1 grams in other similar types of fruit, such as apples and mangoes.
Jackfruit is also rich in several types of antioxidants, which are likely responsible for the majority of its health benefits.
SUMMARYJackfruit is quite healthy. It provides a moderate amount of calories in addition to lots of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
It May Benefit Blood Sugar Control
Jackfruit has several properties that may help with blood sugar management.
It has a fairly low glycemic index (GI), which is a measure of how quickly your blood sugar rises after eating a food. This has been attributed to the fiber it provides, which slows digestion and helps prevent blood sugar spike.
Diets that include lots of low-GI foods have been shown to be helpful for promoting blood sugar control (7Trusted Source).
Moreover, jackfruit provides some protein, which may help prevent blood sugar levels from rising too quickly after a meal (9Trusted Source).
In one study, adults who consumed jackfruit extract were found to have significantly improved blood sugar levels (10Trusted Source).
Additionally, a study of diabetic mice found that jackfruit leaf extract helped reduce fasting blood sugar levels and provided long-term blood sugar control (11Trusted Source).
These effects were attributed to jackfruit’s content of flavonoid antioxidants, which are known for their ability to promote balanced blood sugar levels (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).
Although the results from these studies are promising, more studies of people eating fresh jackfruit are necessary to confirm these potential benefits.
SUMMARYJackfruit has a low glycemic index and provides some fiber, protein and antioxidants, all of which may promote better blood sugar.
Fight against Disease
Jackfruit is high in a few powerful antioxidants that provide various health benefits, including a reduced risk of several diseases.
Antioxidants protect your cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, which often result from damage caused by molecules called free radicals (14Trusted Source).
Here’s an overview of the antioxidants that are most abundant in jackfruit:
Vitamin C: Jackfruit contains high amounts of vitamin C, which may help prevent the inflammation that can lead to chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer (3, 15Trusted Source).
Carotenoids: Carotenoids have been shown to help lower inflammation and reduce the risk of various chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease (6Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source, 18).
Flavanones: Flavanones contain anti-inflammatory properties that may help lower blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels — important factors in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease
The jackfruit, also known as jack tree, is a species of tree in the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family. Its origin is in the region between the Western Ghats of southern India and the rainforests of Malaysia.... Certain people are allergic to it, especially those who are allergic to birch pollen ( 22 ). Moreover, due to its potential to lower blood sugar levels, individuals with diabetes may need to have their medication dosages changed if they eat this fruit on a regular basis.... The fruit isn't, but the leaves, roots, and stem (and, in limited doses, even some unripe fruit) are rich in tomatine, an alkaloid that's mildly toxic to humans. It won't kill you, unless you chow down pounds and pounds of it, but it is likely to cause you some gastrointestinal distress... Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Allergy to birch pollen or latex: Some people who are allergic to birch pollen or latex might also be allergic to jackfruit. Diabetes: Jackfruit might lower blood sugar levels. There is a concern that it might affect blood sugar control in people with diabetes.... Jackfruit and milk are considered a harmful combination, according to Ayurveda. For centuries, the combination of jackfruit and any dairy product has been forbidden and is said to cause indigestion and skin diseases... It doesn't contain any weight gain-inducing compounds: Jackfruit is rich in fiber, minerals and vitamin C and does not contain any cholesterol or saturated fat. The fructose and sucrose in the wonder fruit increase your energy and instead of getting stored as fat, it is used up immediately for fuel.... The ripe fruit is somewhat laxative; if eaten in excess it will cause diarrhea. Raw jackfruit seeds are indigestible due to the presence of a powerful trypsin inhibitor. This element is destroyed by boiling or baking.... People tend to experience harsh coughs, runny noses, and itchy eyes. With the help of Vitamin C, of which jackfruit contains over 20 milligrams, these symptoms can be drastically reduced. Vitamin C works to boosts immunity and heal the body from illness sooner..... Avoid or refrain from having water after eating fruits because it hinders the absorption and digestion process in the stomach leading to acidity. This is why some people experience uneasiness after consuming fruit. It is recommended that you have water at least an hour after you eat fruits.... Jackfruit is banned in some places too, because of its strong smell, but it smells like bubble-gum with a combination of pineapple, bananas and rotten-onions. ... Its bulbs are crunchy and sweet, the flavor resembles the combination of bananas, pineapple, mango or yellow gum of Wrigley's..... It was surprisingly tasty — with a texture similar to pulled pork and a flavor that reminded me of a cross between hearts of palm, kimchi, and pineapple. It wasn't really meaty, but it wasn't fruity either. Some experts say this quality is what makes jackfruit a 'miracle' crop: It's versatile