When people hear the fruit name “Jackfruit”, suddenly their mind goes into the green thorne like texture, and then think about the fleshy portions present inside the fruit. Really, jackfruit is an awesome tasting fruit, but it is not an expensive fruit.
The fruit is also as called “jak fruit” or “jak”. This fruit can be up to 3 feet long and 20 inches wide. Just one piece can weigh as much as 55 kilograms. A well mature tree yields 200 fruits per year, with older trees yields up to 500 fruits in a year.
The origin of Jackfruit is in the rain forests of India, but nowadays farmers cultivated it in many parts of the world, including Thailand, Australia, Africa, Brazil, and the Philippines. In recent years, many in the US have become aware about this fruit. India is the largest jackfruit producer country, every year India produces 1.4 million tons of jackfruit. Jackfruit can be eaten in the condition of ripen and unripe.
Types of Jack fruit
Jackfruit differs in size, shape and quality; It mainly grouped into two types. They are:
- Soft fleshed.
- Firm fleshed.
The firm fleshed type jackfruit is highly tasty, sweet and crisp compared with soft fleshed type.
Nutrients
Jackfruit is loaded with so much nutrition, minerals and vitamins.
- Calories
- Fat
- Carbs
- Protein
- Calcium
- Folate
- Niacin
- Riboflavin
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
The main benefits of Jackfruit
- Vitamins: It contains a richer amount of vitamins than apples, apricots, bananas, and avocados. It is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B. Only a few fruits have a rich amount of vitamins.
- Healthy Heart : Jackfruit contains potassium mineral and fiber. These two things encourage heart function. According to the American Heart Association, potassium does not have a huge effect on the heart like sodium on blood pressure. Fiber helps to reduce cholesterol levels and decrease blood pressure and inflammation. It also contains rich antioxidants properties, this will help to prevent the cells damage. Reducing cholesterol levels helps improve heart function.
- Good for Digestion: It contains both soluble fibers and insoluble fibers. People should need to eat a healthy amount of fiber in their daily meal, because this soluble fiber is quickly broken down by our body to produce energy. The insoluble fiber makes the bowel movement very easy.
- Immunity Power: Immunity power is very important in the body, regularly consuming jackfruit is supported to improve the immunity power, because it contains vitamin C and a rich amount of antioxidants properties. Good immunity power will support the fight against several viral infections and diseases. This will help to keep the body strong and improve the body fitness very well.
- Good for Eyesight: It contains vitamin A, this will play an excellent role in improving eyesight. This fruit helps to protect the eyes from bacterial and viral infection. It also eliminates the free radicals which might be harmful to the eyes health. Jackfruit is supported to improve eyesight by preventing degeneration of the retina and decreasing the chance of cataract.
- Keeps the Bones stronger: Minerals are vital for body and its functions. Calcium is one of the most important mineral that our body needs. Strong bones help to keep the body fit and strong, several people are facing weaker bones problems or lose their bones density due to lack of calcium minerals. Regular intake is good for the bones health because it is loaded with rich amounts of calcium which strengthens the bones. Another mineral called potassium present in this fruit which helps to reduce loss of calcium through kidneys.
- Improving Skin health: Modern days people are taking so much care about their skin health. So they are spending a huge amount of money and time to keep their skin healthy. Jackfruit contains a rich amount of vitamin C and antioxidant properties which helps to improve skin health. It also helps to prevent skin problems such as aging issues. According to a health expert review, vitamin C plays an excellent role in the production of collagen, which makes the skin look so beautiful and smooth. Vitamin C also helps to disappear the wrinkles in the skin. It is also loaded with phytonutrients (lignans, isoflavones, and saponins), which can have anti-aging properties, this will help to delay the aging effects on the skin.
- Jackfruit for Weight Loss: It is an awesome solution for weight loss, because it contains a rich amount of fiber, this is a huge amount compared with green peas. According to the research most Americans do not eat enough fiber, this will reduce the chance for achieving weight loss goals. Fiber is an important nutrient to keep the digestion well and also provide the feelings of full bowl for a long period ; this will help to avoid intaking of snacks items. People who follow a plant-based diet, surely they will achieve their weight loss goal very easily, because a plant based diet contains low calories compared with meat based diet.
- Natural Antioxidants for the body: Antioxidants play an important role to keep the body healthy. Carotenoids are the pigments that give yellow color to jackfruit. Like all other antioxidants, carotenoids also help to prevent the cells from damage and keep the body active. People should taste the ripens jackfruit because it contains rich levels of carotenoid. People should taste the flesh parts because it contains high disease-fighting compounds and the seeds also contain even more. So, people should not avoid eating jackfruit seeds. Consuming raw fruit seed is not providing a good taste to the mouth. So people can fry that seed or cook that seed, before tasting it.
People should take the jackfruit at the right amount in their daily life. People can add jackfruit in some healthy ways. They are:
Jackfruit curry- People can easily add jackfruit as a vegetable curry.
Jackfruit vegetable- People can be well prepared as a side dish (dry form) with sauteed onions and tomatoes. It is very tasty to add jackfruit regularly in the food diet.
Healthiest Breakfast- A bowlful of jackfruit with a combination of sprinkling of blueberries and homemade yogurt. This is a fantastic and healthiest breakfast to keep the body healthy.
