Jackfruit is a tropical tree fruit native to southwest India. It belongs to the Moraceae plant family and is known for its large size, distinctive appearance, and unique taste. The scientific name of the jackfruit tree is Artocarpus heterophyllus.
Here are some key characteristics of jackfruit:
Size and Appearance: Jackfruits are the largest fruits of all trees, reaching as much as 55 kg (120 pounds) in weight, 90 cm (35 inches) in length, and 50 cm (20 inches) in diameter. The exterior of the jackfruit is green or yellow when ripe, and it is covered with small, spiky projections.
Flavor and Texture: The flesh of the jackfruit is starchy and fibrous, and it has a sweet and distinctive flavor. The taste is often described as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple. The seeds inside the fruit are also edible, and they can be boiled or roasted.
Versatility in Cooking: Jackfruit is versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It is commonly used as a meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan recipes due to its fibrous texture, making it a popular choice for pulled “pork” or “chicken” dishes.
Nutritional Value: Jackfruit is a good source of energy, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It contains a moderate amount of calories and is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
Culinary Uses: Jackfruit can be consumed fresh or cooked in various ways. It is used in curries, stews, desserts, and as a filling for sandwiches or tacos. Young, unripe jackfruit is often used in savory dishes, while ripe jackfruit is eaten as a sweet fruit.
Health Benefits: Jackfruit is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. It is believed to have various health benefits, including improved digestion, enhanced immune function, and better cardiovascular health.
Jackfruit has gained popularity in the Western world as a meat substitute for its ability to mimic the texture of shredded meat, making it a popular choice for those following vegetarian or vegan diets. It’s important to note that jackfruit is not only consumed for its taste but also for its nutritional value and versatility in the kitchen.
Benefits of Jackfruit
Jackfruit fruit can be beneficial for health in many ways. The properties of jackfruit and the nutrients present in it make it health enhancing. Here we will know in detail about the benefits of jackfruit. Also, let us tell you that jackfruit is not a cure for any serious disease at all. It can only reduce his symptoms.
1 . Benefits of eating jackfruit in cancer
Consuming jackfruit can prove beneficial in preventing serious problems like cancer. A research conducted on this provides information that jackfruit is rich in phytonutrients like lignans, isoflavones and saponins, which can exhibit anti-cancer properties. This quality can help in the prevention of cancer.
Not only this, another study also clearly mentions that jackfruit is rich in dietary fiber, which can help in the prevention of colon and esophagus as well as stomach cancer .
2 . Keep the heart healthy
Jackfruit can also be consumed to keep the heart healthy. Scientific research suggests that vitamin B present in jackfruit helps reduce homocysteine levels in the blood, which may reduce the risk of heart disease . Homocysteine is an element that can increase the risk of heart disease .
At the same time, research also confirms that jackfruit is also rich in potassium, which can reduce blood pressure and provide protection from heart disease and stroke .
3 . Immune System
Consuming jackfruit can also prove beneficial in strengthening the immune system. According to a research, when jackfruit is consumed, it increases antioxidant capacity and lactic acid, which can be helpful in increasing immunity.
Along with this, according to another research, jackfruit contains nutrients like Vitamin A and Vitamin C, which are known as immunity enhancing agents. Also, in this research, it has been claimed that consuming jackfruit can also prove beneficial in reducing the risk of viral infection .
4. For digestion
Jackfruit has also been shown to have benefits in improving digestion. According to a research, jackfruit is considered a good source of fiber, which can play a key role in digestive health. Fiber can prevent constipation and also help in smooth bowel movements. Besides, it can also prove to be helpful to a great extent in better cleaning of the intestines and removal of toxins from the digestive system .
5 . To prevent anemia
Consuming jackfruit can also prove beneficial in preventing the problem of anemia. Actually, iron deficiency in the body is considered to be the main cause of anemia . At the same time, jackfruit is rich in iron . If seen on this basis, including jackfruit in the diet chart for anemia can prove beneficial.
6. Keep bones healthy
Along with health, the benefits of jackfruit have also been seen in keeping bones healthy. Actually, the potassium found in it can protect bones from damage. Apart from this, a good amount of magnesium is also found in it. Magnesium is known to be important for the absorption of calcium and can help strengthen bones. It can also help in preventing bone related disorders like osteoporosis .
6. Reduce Thyroid
Jackfruit can play an important role in thyroid problems . Jackfruit is a good source of copper, which helps in thyroid metabolism. Apart from this, copper can also be beneficial for thyroid disorders .
According to another report, Vitamin C can be an important element for hypothyroidism patients. Hypothyroidism is a medical condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones . At the same time, jackfruit is counted as a food item rich in Vitamin C . In such a situation, it can be believed that jackfruit can be helpful in reducing the problem of hypothyroidism.
7. For diabetes
The properties of jackfruit can also be seen to control the problem of diabetes. Actually, jackfruit is rich in Vitamin-B , which can improve insulin for diabetic patients. Apart from this, antidiabetic effect is also present in jackfruit which can help in controlling the problem of diabetes .
Not only this, according to Ayurvedic and traditional medicine, drinking jackfruit leaves boiled in hot water can also help in reducing blood sugar . On this basis, including jackfruit in diabetes diet can prove to be very beneficial.
8 . Control blood pressure
Jackfruit can also be beneficial in controlling blood pressure. Actually, jackfruit is rich in potassium, which can reduce blood pressure. It can also help in reducing the effect of sodium, which is known to cause increase in blood pressure . At the same time, the amount of potassium in jackfruit is high and the amount of sodium is less, hence those who have the problem of high blood pressure should definitely include jackfruit in their diet.
9. Lose weight
Jackfruit can also be included in your diet to reduce the problem of obesity . Research on this subject provides information that jackfruit is rich in fiber, which can help in reducing weight. Furthermore, jackfruit contains very few calories. Not only this, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium etc. present in jackfruit can also prove helpful in weight control .
10 . For eyes
Consumption of jackfruit can also be beneficial for the eyes. Actually, it is rich in Vitamin A, which is considered good for maintaining eyesight. Besides, it can also help in preventing the problem of cataract and macular degeneration i.e. blurred vision . This is the reason why jackfruit is considered beneficial for the eyes.
11 . Reduce Headaches
Jackfruit can also be beneficial in reducing the problem of headache. Research on this topic has shown that jackfruit bark is used as a treatment for headache in many countries. Apart from this, use of jackfruit leaves can also be effective in reducing headache . However, at present, more research is needed on how consumption of jackfruit can be beneficial in the problem of headache.
12 . Provide relief from pain
Jackfruit can also be used to get relief from pain. This is confirmed by a research conducted on jackfruit. It has been told in this research paper that jackfruit seeds and jackfruit fruit have analgesic i.e. pain relieving properties. This effect can help in reducing pain as well as controlling it .
13 . Reduce inflammation
Benefits of jackfruit can also be seen in swelling related problems. A research published on the website of NCBI National Center for Biotechnology Information provides information that the flavonoids present in jackfruit can exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, which can be helpful in reducing inflammation .
14 . Keep skin healthy
Use of jackfruit can also be beneficial for keeping the skin healthy. As we mentioned in the article, jackfruit is rich in Vitamin C, which can fight free radicals that damage the skin . At the same time, Vitamin B helps in rebuilding skin cells .
The antioxidant properties of Vitamin C and its ability to form collagen make it a special nutrient for the skin. According to some studies, Vitamin C works to protect the skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun .
14 . Jackfruit for hair
Jackfruit can be beneficial for health and skin as well as hair strength. According to research, nutrients like thiamine and riboflavin are found in it. Both of these are forms of Vitamin B. These can be helpful in keeping hair healthy . Apart from this, another research has shown that jackfruit seeds can also be used for hair growth .
Nutritious elements of Jackfruit
Many types of nutrients are found in jackfruit which are beneficial for health. Here we will learn about the nutrients present in jackfruit.
| NUTRIENTS | QUANTITY (PER 100 GRAMS) |
| Water | 73.5 grams |
| energy | 95 kcal |
| protein | 1.72 grams |
| total fat | 0.64 grams |
| carbohydrate | 23.25 grams |
| Fiber, Total Dietary | 1.5 grams |
| Sugar | 19.08 grams |
| calcium | 24 mg |
| iron | 0.23 mg |
| magnesium | 29 mg |
| phosphorus | 21 mg |
| potassium | 448 mg |
| sodium | 2 mg |
| zinc | 0.13 mg |
| Vitamin C, Total Ascorbic Acid | 13.7 mg |
| thiamine | 0.105 mg |
| riboflavin | 0.055 mg |
| niacin | 0.920 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.329 mg |
| Folate, DFE | 24 micrograms |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 5 micrograms |
| Vitamin A | 110 iu |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.34 mg |
| Fatty Acids, Total Saturated | 0.195 grams |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.155 grams |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.94 grams |
How to Use Jackfruit
Jackfruit is a fruit which can be consumed in many ways. Know below how to eat jackfruit:
When jackfruit is ripe, it turns yellow from inside and can be eaten directly.
You can make vegetable from raw jackfruit. Before cutting raw jackfruit, apply mustard oil on both your hands, because the milk of raw fruit can get on the hands, which is very difficult to remove. If you want, you can also use hand gloves to cut raw jackfruit. Use a sharp knife to cut the fruit and cut carefully.
Jackfruit pickle can also be made, just like mango, carrot and radish pickles are made.
Apart from this, chips can also be made from jackfruit pulp. Jackfruit chips are very popular in many places in South India.
Side Effects of Jackfruit
Jackfruit can have both advantages and disadvantages. Till now we have known the benefits of jackfruit, now let us talk about the disadvantages of jackfruit.
- Excessive consumption of jackfruit can cause digestive problems.
- Sensitive people may also suffer from oral allergy due to jackfruit.
- Its consumption can worsen glucose levels in diabetic patients.
- Its consumption can also cause infertility in men.
- Its excessive consumption can also have a negative effect on the immune system.
- A good amount of fiber is found in it, due to which there can be a possibility of stomach upset.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between jackfruit and durian?
Jackfruit is a tropical fruit, which can be both small and quite large in size. The outer skin of this fruit is sharp. When ripe, this fruit turns yellow from inside, which people eat with great enthusiasm. Durian, meanwhile, is an oval shiny tropical fruit with a creamy pulp. Despite its pungent odor, it is eaten with great gusto for its taste.
How long does it take for a jackfruit tree to bear fruit?
Edible fruits can be obtained from jackfruit tree in about three or four years after plantation.
How can you tell if a jackfruit is ripe?
When ripe, its pulp turns yellow and a strong smell starts coming from it. Along with this, when cooked, its outer skin becomes soft, which sinks inwards when pressed.
How to preserve jackfruit for a long time?
To preserve the jackfruit for a long time, remove its pulp, then by placing the pulp in a container, it can be easily stored in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Is it good to eat jackfruit every day?
Yes, jackfruit can be consumed daily in limited quantities. At the same time, consuming it in excess quantity can be harmful and can also cause stomach upset.
Can you eat jackfruit raw?
Yes, raw jackfruit can be consumed as a vegetable.
Can consuming jackfruit help in bowel movement?
Yes, consuming jackfruit can be helpful in bowel movement. Actually, the fiber present in it has laxative effect which can be helpful in smoothening the stool and removing it.
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