Have you ever heard of jackfruit, jackfruit, or jackfruit? It is one of the strange and distinctive fruits that you see and would like to know more information about. That is why we wanted to introduce you more to this fruit.

This tropical fruit first appeared in the rain forests of India, but is now grown in Thailand, Australia, Africa, the Philippines, Brazil, and most recently, the United States. Jackfruit has a distinctive and sweet flavor, and can be used in preparing various dishes, as it contains many health benefits. Now we will get to know everything related to the jackfruit / jackfruit closely.

What is jackfruit/jackfruit?

It is a fruit grown in the tropics and is native to southern India. This fruit belongs to the family of figs and berries. It has a spiny outer skin that ranges in color from green to yellow. The jackfruit tree is the largest fruit tree in the world, as it can weigh up to 80 pounds.

It tastes like a mixture of fruits together, including apples, pineapples, bananas, and mangoes. The most consumed part of it is the pulp/kernels, which are edible when ripe or even before reaching this stage. It can be combined with savory and sweet dishes.

And there are two types of them. The first: it is small and tender and has a sweet taste, while the second: it is characterized by its crunchy meat and does not have a sweet taste like the first type.

Nutritional value of jackfruit

A cup of jackfruit provides the following:

• Calories: 155 calories.
• Carbohydrates: 40 grams.
• Fiber: 3 grams.
• Protein: 3 grams.
• Vitamin A: 10% of the RV.
• Vitamin C: 18% of the RV.
• Riboflavin: 11% of the RV.
• Magnesium: 15% of the RV.
• Potassium: 14% of the RV.
• Copper: 15% of the RV.
• Manganese: 16% of the RV.

This fruit is also rich in different types of antioxidants, which may be responsible for most of its health benefits.

Benefits of jackfruit

Because it is a fruit rich in various nutrients, it offers you a range of health benefits, such as:

1- It reduces inflammation

This fruit can reduce inflammation, as one cup of it contains 22.6 milligrams of vitamin C, so one share of this fruit is able to give you more than 20% of the percentage that your body needs to reduce the inflammation in it, which in turn is able to reduce The risk of developing various chronic diseases.

2- Promotes skin health

Because jackfruit is high in vitamin C and antioxidants, it may help improve skin health and prevent various skin problems, such as aging. According to various studies, vitamin C promotes collagen production, and consuming it in large quantities reduces the possibility of skin wrinkles.

3- It maintains a healthy heart

This fruit contains fiber and potassium, two nutrients that studies have shown to promote heart health. Where potassium counteracts the negative effects of sodium on blood pressure and reduces pressure in the walls of blood vessels, while fiber works to lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure and inflammation.

4- Prevent cancer

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, this fruit contains substances called phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, saponins, and tannins, which have antioxidant properties and thus may help fight the effects of free radicals (which are highly reactive molecules that occur naturally in the body). Cells can become damaged, and this damage is known as oxidative stress, which plays a role in many diseases, including cancer.)

Researchers have indicated that jackfruit/jackfruit extracts may be an anti-cancer treatment in the future.

5- It promotes wound healing

As we mentioned earlier, this fruit is a good source of vitamin C, which the body needs to produce collagen, which in turn maintains the health of the skin, bones, and connective tissues, such as blood vessels and cartilage. It also contains substances that have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and bacterial properties, which May aid in wound healing.

6- It maintains the health of the digestive system

According to the Food and Drug Administration, this fruit, especially its seeds, is a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber can help lower bad cholesterol levels and slow the absorption of carbohydrates into the blood, which in turn can help prevent spikes in blood glucose after eating.

In addition, this fiber may reduce the risk of heart disease, colon cancer, and diabetes. Its seeds also contain probiotics, which can help the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

7- It improves blood sugar levels

Here we first need to define the glycemic index: a system that ranks how certain foods affect your blood sugar level. Although jackfruit contains a medium percentage of sugar, some of its parts can treat type 2 diabetes.

A 2011 study in diabetic rats concluded that taking jackfruit leaf extracts raised insulin levels and lowered blood sugar levels, compared to rats that did not take jackfruit extract.

Jackfruit side effects

Although eating this fruit has not been reported to cause any serious side effects, people who are allergic to birch pollen may need to limit or avoid jackfruit.

Due to the ability of jackfruit to lower blood sugar levels, people with diabetes may need to avoid eating this fruit regularly. Because it will cause them to change their medication doses.

Jackfruit for pregnant women

It is considered safe to eat jackfruit / jackfruit during pregnancy, as it contains useful vitamins. But for some women, it may cause allergies, upset stomachs, or raise blood sugar levels. Therefore, you should consult your doctor before taking it in any case.

How to eat jackfruit / jackfruit

Jackfruit can be eaten raw or cooked, and to prepare it, you will need to cut it in half to remove the seeds and yellow kernels from the skin.

It is worth noting that the white part inside the fruit is very sticky, so it would be best to wear gloves while cutting it. The mature type can be combined with yogurt or oatmeal. Vegetarians prefer eating jackfruit as a substitute for meat, and it can be combined with soup.

How to cook jackfruit

This is a quick and delicious way to cook this fruit in a salty way:

• Prepare an onion cut into small pieces and put it in a frying pan with a little oil and add minced garlic and minced red pepper. And we cook them from 5 to 7 minutes.
• We bring one canned jackfruit, filter it to the previous mixture, and add two tablespoons of barbecue sauce to it.
• Cook over medium heat, mashing the jackfruit/jackfruit with a spoon for 10 minutes or until tender.

How to make jackfruit juice

To prepare this juice, we will need half a jackfruit, half a lemon, and 2 cups of water, and the method is as follows:

• First we cut the fruit and take the yellow part inside.
• We put the jackfruit in the blender with water, lemon and sugar as desired, and it is mixed until we reach the desired consistency.

The difference between durian and jackfruit

There are some differences that we will get to know together as follows:

• Shape and size: These two types of fruits are large in size. However, jackfruit is larger than durian. The skin of a durian has many holes or spines, while the skin of a jackfruit is slightly smoother. The flesh of durian can vary in color from yellow to red, while the color of the flesh of jackfruit is yellow like a banana.
• Flavor: Jackfruit has a more sugary flavor, as it is closer to a mixture of mango with pineapple and apple, while the durian flavor is sweet mixed with a salty flavor.
• Odor: Although they smell different, both have a strong and pungent scent. And their smell reaches to be unpleasant, as it is forbidden to eat them in public places because of the smell.
• Uses: Both types can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be eaten alone or included with some foods.
• Nutritional value: Each of them contains different nutrients, such as copper, potassium, folic acid, manganese, and other beneficial elements for the body.