Health Benefits of Jack fruit seeds

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Most of us yet unknown about the valuable benefits of Jack fruit seeds. While we consume Jackfruits attracted to its taste and aroma, we normally throw away its seeds which are like gravels.

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Jackfruit seeds are indeed very rich in protein and nutritious. In general, the seeds are gathered from the ripe fruit, sun-dried and stored for use in rainy season in many parts of South Indian states. Different variety of recipes prepared in Southern India where they are eaten either by roasting as a snack or added to curries in place of lentils.

Jackfruit Seeds – Macronutrients

One portion of 100 g of edible fresh jackfruit seeds has approximately 98 calories, 0.4 g of fat, 6.6 g of protein, 38.4 g of carbohydrates and 1.5 g of fiber. The seeds contain 51.6 to 57.77 g of moisture per 100 g serving.

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Jackfruit Seeds: Other Nutrients

One 100 g serving of jackfruit seeds contains 1.25 to 1.5 g of ash, 0.05 to 0.55 mg of calcium, 0.13 to 0.23 mg of phsphorus, 0.002 to 1.2 mg of iron, 2 mg of sodium, 407 g of potassium, 540 international units of vitamin A, 0.03 mg of thiamine, 4 mg of niacin, and 8 to 10 mg of ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C. According to Purdue University, the fresh seeds are considered to be a high starch, low calcium and iron food but a good source of both vitamin B1 and vitamin B12.

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Here are some of health benefits known in general:

1. phytonutrients and their health benefits are wide-ranging from anti-cancer to antihypertensive, anti-ageing, antioxidant, anti-ulcer.
2. Helps prevent constipation.
3. Is revealed it to be a good source of protein having high solubility near neutral pH
4. May help prevent and treat tension and nervousness
5. It has low water and fat absorption capacities and helps prevent obesity
6. Has high potassium content and so lowers blood pressure

Jackfruit Health Benefits

Jackfruit, scientifically known as Artocarpus heterophyllus, belongs to the Moraceae family and is native to certain parts of Southeast and Southern Asia. Asian cuisine commonly uses this fruit as a condiment to various curries and other dishes. This fruit usually grows in abundance during the summer. Some of the nutritional information and facts about jackfruit are as under:

1. A cup of raw jackfruit contains approximately 155 calories where only 4 calories come from its fat content.
2. Jackfruit is low in sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fats.
3. It is a rich source of vitamins A, C, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, and folate.
4. It also contains important minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium.
5. It is a rich source of dietary fiber and provides almost 11% of the daily fiber requirement.
6. It does not contain any sugar, which makes it a good fruit for health conscious individuals.
7. The nutrients found in jackfruit have powerful anti-cancer, anti-aging, anti-ulcerative, and anti-hypersensitivity properties that are valuable in the treatment of a number of diseases.
8. Chinese medicine uses jackfruit as a treatment for fighting the effects of alcohol in the body.

Apart from being a tasty fruit, there are various health benefits of jackfruit.

Its high nutritional value is very beneficial in the treatment, cure, and prevention of a number of ailments and disorders. Some of the main health benefits of jackfruit concerning specific disorders are as under:

• Diabetes: Most doctors do not recommend eating jackfruit for patients of diabetes. However, consumption of jackfruit leaves may help in improving glucose tolerance in both type-2 and normal diabetes patients.
• Cancer: Jackfruit contains phytonutrients that have powerful anti-cancer properties. These phytonutrients help in eliminating free cancer causing radicals from the body and slow down the degeneration of cells in the body, which may lead to a number of degenerative disorders.
• Constipation: One of the medicinal uses of jackfruit is the treatment of problems like constipation. Jackfruits are rich in fiber and have powerful laxative properties that help in facilitating bowel movements, thereby preventing and treating constipation.
• Skin and eye care: Jackfruits contain powerful anti-aging properties that slow down the degeneration of skin cells and make the skin look younger. They are a rich source of vitamin A that is essential in maintaining healthy eyesight.
• High blood pressure: Being a rich source of potassium, jackfruits are very effective in lowering high blood pressure and controlling the heart rate.
• Bone health: Jackfruits are also effective in maintaining good bone health. They are a rich source of magnesium that helps in the absorption of calcium and strengthens the bones.
• Anemia: Jackfruits being a rich source of iron help in preventing anemia and improving blood circulation in the body.
• Asthma: Another one of the medicinal uses of jackfruit is the treatment of asthma and other upper respiratory tract problems. Experts believe that the root and extracts of jackfruit are effective in controlling asthma and alleviating the symptoms associated with this condition.
• Ulcers: Jackfruit contains strong anti-ulcerative properties that not only help cure ulcers but also prevent a number of other digestive system disorders.

Jackfruit For Pregnant Women

Most experts recommend not eating jackfruit during pregnancy, simply because of a lack of scientific evidence about its safety during pregnancy. The popular myth among pregnant women is that eating jackfruit during pregnancy may induce a miscarriage. This, however, is not true. It is always advisable to eat this fruit in limited quantities because it contains powerful laxative properties that may cause diarrhea in pregnant women and hamper the health of both the mother and the child. Jackfruit, like most fruits, is loaded with nutrients that may actually be beneficial during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some of the advantages of eating this fruit during pregnancy are:

• It is a rich source of vitamin A that is crucial for proper cell production, eyesight, and fetal development during pregnancy.
• It is a rich source of niacin (vitamin B3) that helps regulate hormones, boosts immunity, and controls stress levels in pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Side Effects of Jackfruit

Although jackfruit has a number of health benefits, it is also important to consider some of its side effects on health. Some of the common side effects are as follows:

• Jackfruits may cause an allergic reaction in people suffering from birch pollen allergies.
• It may increase coagulation in people suffering from blood disorders.
• It may alter the tolerance levels of glucose in diabetes patients.
• The seeds of jackfruit may have an immunostimulative effect in patients undergoing immunosuppression therapy or patients with tissue transplants.  Do not take jack fruit with steroid medicines .
• Those trying to get pregnant should avoid jackfruit as it may inhibit sexual arousal, libido, performance, and vigor in men.

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Image courtesy : journalsandjackfruit , blogspot.com , asiasociety.org , arabia.msn.com