Get To Know This Miracle Fruit
The Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), also known as jack tree, fenne, or sometimes simply jack is a species of tree in the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family (Moraceae). It is considered the largest fruit in the world, a Jackfruit can potentially weigh as much as 100 kilograms and grows as long as 35 inches. This is a huge, exotic fruit which thrives abundantly in tropical countries such as Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam; although it was originated in South India. As such, it is commonly used in South and Southeast Asian cuisines. Everything from the ripe and unripe fruit is used, as are the seeds. In 2017, India produced 1.4 million tonnes of jackfruit, followed by Bangladesh, Thailand, and Indonesia making this fruit easily accessible in any Asian grocery store.
The jackfruit is extremely versatile as a food. It can be consumed on its own or be incorporated in various dishes. It also provides a meaty texture which makes it an ideal meat substitute for vegans and vegetarians. The jackfruit’s flesh looks similar to pulled pork, especially when cooked. A growing number of people from the West are now choosing jackfruits over the usual sweet fruits because of its plethora of nutrients and health benefits.
Jackfruit health benefits include boosting the immune system, improving energy level, supporting the cardiovascular system, increasing red blood cell count and preventing anemia, improving digestion, preventing colon cancer and protecting the eyes. Other benefits include reducing asthma symptoms, slowing down the aging process, promoting bone health, and increasing sperm count.
Nutrients and chemical facts of Jackfruit
In addition to its sweet, nice, taste and smell, every part of this tree is medically beneficial including the bark, leaves, roots, flowers, pulps and seeds and each of these parts has its separate qualities. The growing stages of jackfruit also differ from each other and provide different therapeutic qualities. All of these facts and more to come are the reasons why jackfruit is very healthy and should be included in everyone’s diet.
The main nutrients and chemical facts of jackfruit that makes it the ideal fruit to look for are as follows:
Jackfruit is infused with a diverse set of vitamins such as vitamin C and A, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, calcium, potassium (with 303 mg found per 100 g), iron, zinc, sodium and folic acid.
It is one of the few trees rich in B-complex group vitamins as well as vitamin B6.
It contains phytonutrient properties such as anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatories.
It’s a rich source of phytonutrients and phenolics.
It contains minerals, fiber, protein, and is free of fats and bad cholesterol.
It is antibacterial and antiviral which is a great support to the immune system.
It is low in calories .100 g of jackfruit only contains 94 calories.
The breakthrough of jackfruit lies in its rich and unique components, as seen above, that has the ability for curing and providing solutions for various health concerns ranging from cancer to weight loss and more. Here are the 10 miraculous benefits for major health concerns:
1. Cancer healer
Due to its richness with anti-oxidants and phytonutrient properties, plus its content of Vitamin C, jackfruit can cure different types of cancer such as lung cancer, breast cancer, gastric cancer, skin cancer and prostate cancer. These properties treat cell damage and develop resistance.
2. Weight loss agent
As obesity rates are on the rise, jackfruit can help in weight loss because it’s free of fat and low in calories that enable dieters to safely and comfortably consume it and fully benefit from all its other nutrients.
3. Blood pressure reducer
With its high amount of potassium, jackfruit reduces and controls blood pressure which consequently lowers the chances of heart attacks, strokes, and cardio-disorder in general.
4. Digestion improver
Jackfruit contributes in improving the digestive system when eating it regularly due to its high content of fibers (3.6 g for every 100 g). It causes no stomach pain even if eaten in huge quantities and improves the bowel movement. It also protects the colon by removing carcinogenic chemicals out of the large intestine.
5. Insomnia curer
Sleeping disorders can be cured by eating jackfruit, due to its richness with magnesium and iron that assist in improving the overall quality of sleep. Magnesium also helps in preventing anemia which is one of the major causes of insomnia.
6. Diabetes-friendly
Although extremely sweet in taste, jackfruits are safely consumed by diabetics because it slowly absorbs sugar into the bloodstream which enables diabetic patients to safely consume it while getting all its health benefits. It also increases glucose tolerance for both types of diabetes.
7. Eye and skin maintainer
With its richness of vitamin A, jackfruit is good for maintaining healthy eyesight as it enhances eye vision and acts as a preventer against cataract and macular degeneration. It’s also regarded as an active anti-aging component for skin radiance. It protects damaged skin caused by sun exposure and treats wrinkles.
8. Ulcer healer
As typical drugs for ulcer medication leave several side effects, jackfruit is the best way to treat ulcer disorder because it contains powerful anti-ulcerative, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
9. Bone supporter
For a good supplement of calcium for healthy bones, eating jackfruit is highly recommended. Besides calcium, it contains vitamin C and magnesium which further assists in calcium absorption.
10. Nerve system booster
Fatigue, stress and muscle weakness can also be treated by consuming jackfruit in the daily diet for its rich content of vitamins such as thiamine and niacin (A portion of 100 g of jackfruit pulp provides 4 mg of niacin). It is also a perfect source of energy.
This is definitely not everything about jackfruit as researches are still being conducted for more results and discoveries of its unique properties that will provide more solutions for urgent health issues.