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One of the world’s hidden food treasures is jackfruit. This exotic yellow fruit is native to South India and grows in tropical regions. It has a sweet flavor and can be used to make a myriad of dishes. But what makes this fruit a superfood is that it is highly nutritious and comes with a host of health benefits.
Jackfruit is part of the Moracea plant family that includes other healthy fruit like figs, mulberry, and breadfruit. But what makes it very unusual is its very large size, one jackfruit can reach up to 80 lbs (35 kg) so one fruit can provide a huge amount of food. According to Life Hacks every part of this fruit is beneficial to your health including the flowers, pulp and seeds. You can purchase it fresh, dried, and canned.
Jackfruit is in season during the summer so try some today and reap some of these seven great health benefits:
Packed Full of Nutrients
Jackfruit is highly nutritious and only contains 155 calories in a one-cup serving according to Healthline. It is full of almost every vitamin and mineral that your body needs, contains a large amount of protein – more than three grams per cup –, and a hefty amount of fiber. This fruit is a great plant-based protein source for vegetarians and vegans.
Helps to Reduce Blood Pressure
Since Jackfruit contains a large amount of potassium, it helps to reduce your blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium (salt) and reduces tension in the blood vessels according to Medical News Today. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends that adults consume 4,700 mg of potassium a day and just one-cup of this superfood contains 739 mg.
Diabetes Friendly
This super-fruit also contains properties that could help diabetics with blood sugar management. According to Healthline, jackfruit has a low glycemic index so your blood sugar levels do not go up much after you eat. Also eating protein with carbs – Jackfruit contains both – can prevent a spike in blood sugar levels after you eat.
Can Aid Gut Health
The fiber in jackfruit is both soluble and insoluble and can aid gut health according to WebMD by adding bulk to stools and preventing constipation. It also protects your colon by helping to remove harmful chemicals from your large intestine.
Boosts Your Immune System
This tropical delight contains powerful antioxidants and large amounts of vitamin C that reduce the risk of several diseases according to Healthline. Vitamin C helps to prevent inflammation that can lead to chronic conditions like heart disease and some cancers. Jackfruit’s bright yellow color comes from carotenoids that can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. And the flavanones that help lower blood sugar also help regulate blood pressure and lower cholesterol. No wonder jackfruit is a superfood!
Contains Ulcer Healing Properties
If you suffer from ulcers, jackfruit can help treat them because it contains powerful anti-ulcerative and antiseptic properties according to New Vision. The fruit can also aid digestion so it can prevent ulcers too.
Can Boost Your Energy
Do you feel tired during the day? Do you power down in the afternoon? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you may need an energy boost from jackfruit. Chock full of proteins and carbs, the super-fruit is easy to digest, gives you an immediate energy surge after you eat it and doesn’t give you the blood sugar spike of eating unhealthy snacks like chips or candy.
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