Jackfruit is an exotic fruit that belongs to the Moraceae plant family, along with breadfruit, mulberry, and fig. It is native to South India and grown in tropical regions.
This fruit has a spiky, yellow or green skin, but what makes it unique is its size. It is the largest tree fruit in the world. It has a sweet taste which is a mixture of the flavors of mangoes, apples, bananas, and pineapples.
It can be used as a meat substitute by vegetarians and vegans, due to the texture that resembles the one of shredded meat.
It has an impressive nutritional profile, as a cup of raw, sliced, fresh jackfruit provides about:
- 155 calories
- 39.6 grams carbohydrates
- 2.4 grams protein
- 0.5 gram fat
- 2.6 grams fiber
- 11.1 milligrams vitamin C (18 percent DV)
- 0.3 milligrams manganese (16 percent DV)
- 0.3 milligram copper (15 percent DV)
- 61.1 milligrams magnesium (15 percent DV)
- 500 milligrams potassium (14 percent DV)
- 0.2 milligram riboflavin (11 percent DV)
- 490 IU vitamin A (10 percent DV)
- 0.2 milligram vitamin B6 (9 percent DV)
- 23.1 micrograms folate (6 percent DV)
- 56.1 milligrams calcium (6 percent DV)
- 1 milligram iron (6 percent DV)
- 59.4 milligrams phosphorus (6 percent DV)
- 0.7 milligram zinc (5 percent DV)
Jackfruit is rich in carbs and calories, and offers numerous health benefits:
— Jackfruit is very high in antioxidants, including vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and protects against common colds, infections, coughs, and the flu
— A serving of 100 grams of jackfruits contains 1.5 grams of fiber which improves digestion, softens the stool, avoids constipation, and keeps the intestines clean and healthy
— Jackfruit is an excellent source of potassium, which controls blood pressure, prevents damage to the arteries and heart, and improves the function of the muscles, leading to a lower risk of heart attacks and stroke
— Jackfruit is a rich source of iron, which prevents deficiency of red blood cells and anemia, and the high amounts of copper and magnesium boost blood quality
— This fruit is a rich source of vitamin A that promotes eye health, boosts vision, and prevents eye damage, as well as beta carotene and lutein zeaxanthin, which prevent degeneration of the retina and lower the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts
— Jackfruits are abundant in antioxidants that cleanse the colon of toxins and lower the risk of piles and colon cancer
-Being rich in sucrose and fructose, simple sugars that are easily digested by the body, jackfruit energizes the body and regulates blood sugar levels
— Jackfruit has been found to relieve asthma and the accompanying symptoms like extreme difficulty during breathing, panic attacks, and wheezing.
— This fruit is abundant in calcium that promotes bone health and prevents arthritis and osteoporosis
— Jackfruit is rich in antioxidants that prevent free radical damage and premature aging of the skin, while the high amounts of water keep the skin hydrated and minimize wrinkles and fine lines
You can add jackfruit to sweet and savory dishes, such as desserts and curries. It can be eaten both, unripe and ripe, and its seeds and roots are edible as well. The seeds offer countless nutritional benefits as well, and they can be roasted boiled, or ground into flour.
You can also find jackfruit roasted or dried, and you can add it to soups and stews, use it in juices, jams, chips, and ice cream. Enjoy the taste of jackfruits fresh and raw or in your favorite recipes, and reap all their health benefits!
