Jackfruit

Artocarpus heterophyllus

Jackfruit


Unique for its size, jackfruit is said to be the largest tree-borne fruits in the world. The fruit varies widely in size, weigh from 3 to 30 kg. The unripe fruits are green in color, and when ripen, might turn to light brown color and gives strong sweet, fruity smell. The delicious jackfruit is rich in energy, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins. It contains no saturated fats or cholesterol, making it one of healthy fruits to savor!


Jackfruit contains a vast spectrum of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, and many in high concentrations. Minerals: Manganese, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, sodium and selenium. Vitamins: Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Vitamin B complex vitamins such as B6, B12, B5, B1, B3, B2, and Folic acid & folates, retinol, choline.


Jackfruit also contains important antioxidants, such as, beta carotene and alpha carotene, as well as, saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, zero cholesterol, phytosterols. In addition to these, jackfruit also possesses carbohydrates, proteins, water, fats, sugars, and dietary fiber with good calorific value.


Jackfruit Seeds: The seed of the jack fruit is highly regarded as an aphrodisiac. There may be as many as 100 to 500 edible seeds embedded in a single fruit interspersed between thin bands of fibers. Jackfruit seed is 2 to 4 cm long and 1 to 3 cm thick and is white and crisp within. Jackfruit seeds are indeed very rich in protein and nutritious. In general, the seeds are gathered from the ripe fruit, sun-dried and stored where they are eaten either by roasting as a snack or added to curries in place of lentils.



Jackfruit Leaves: The leaves and fruit are commonly used as livestock feed. The leaf ash can be mixed with other ingredients to heal ulcers.



Jackfruit Roots: Boiled Jackfruit roots and extract are used medicinally for regulating asthma and preventing respiratory disorders, and commonly used to naturally treat skin conditions.



Jackfruit Roots: The wood of the tree is a popular ingredient in all types of furniture and building as well as musical instrument production. The wood sawdust is also mixed with alum to create a silk dye.



Jackfruit Latex: The latex which oozed from the injured plant, when heated, is used as a glue for repairs.





Allergies: In some patients, jackfruit is a Bet v 1 (birch pollen allergen)-related food allergy. Individuals with known allergy should avoid.


Source: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/jackfruit.html

Source: http://ideas4health.in/health-ideas/health-foods/fruits/jackfruit-nutritional-benefits/

Health Benefits - Jackfruit


Jackfruit is made of soft, easily digestible flesh (bulbs) with simple sugars like fructose and sucrose that when eaten replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantly. Due to the presence of rich numerous Antioxidants and Vitamin C, jackfruit boosts the immune system by strengthening WBC cells and protecting against bacterial, viral infections. Recent laboratory studies show that lectins found in jackfruit and its seeds may have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and immuno-stimulative properties.


Jackfruit also promotes good and improves digestion and heals ulcers and digestive disorders, preventing the formation of carcinogens in the colon and prevents constipation due to the presence of rich dietary fiber, which also makes it a good bulk laxative. The fiber content helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon.


Fresh jackfruit has  vitamin-A and flavonoids such as carotene-ß, xanthin, lutein and cryproxanthin-ß. Together, these compounds play vital roles in antioxidant and vision functions. Vitamin A is also required for maintaining integrity of mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin-A and carotenes has been found to protect from lung cancer and oral cavity cancers.


Jackfruit is also good source of antioxidant vitamin-C. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals.


It is one of the rare fruits that is rich in B-complex vitamins, and contains very good amounts of B6, B12, B5, B1, B3, B2, and Folic acid, folate, retinol and choline.


Fresh jackfruit is a good source of potassium, magnesium, manganese, and iron. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.


Source: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/jackfruit.html







Anti-Aging - Phytonutrients - Vitamin A - Jackfruit


Jackfruits are also rich in phytonutrients like lignans, isoflavones and saponins, as well as, Vitamin A which all contain anti-aging properties, which makes the skin appear young by slowing down the cells degeneration. Vitamin A also helps in maintaining a healthy eye and good vision. Vitamin A in Jackfruit helps in your dose of requirement needed for your eyes.







Blood Health - Anemia - Blood Circulation - Iron - Jackfruit


Fresh jackfruit is a good source of potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. The high iron content in this exotic fruit helps to prevent anemia and helps in proper blood circulation in your body.







Bone Health - Osteoperosis - Calcium - Magnesium - Jackfruit


Boiled Jackfruit roots and extract regulates asthma and prevents respiratory disorders. With the presence of magnesium and calcium it prevents osteoporosis and strengthens bones and improves bone health.







Cancer - Anti-Oxidants - Fiber - Phytonutrients - Jackfruit


The presence of saponins, lignans, isoflavones together with Vitamin C, fights against cancer and clears off free radicals and thereby protects against degenerative disorders like cancer.


Jackfruits are also rich in phytonutrients like lignans, isoflavones and saponins which have anti-cancer and anti-aging properties. Together with Vitamin C, they help to fight against cancer and clears off free radicals and thereby protects against other degenerative disorders.


Fresh jackfruit has vitamin-A and flavonoids such as carotene-ß, xanthin, lutein and cryproxanthin-ß. Together, these compounds play vital roles as antioxidants. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin-A and carotenes has been found to protect from lung cancer and oral cavity cancers.


These phytonutrients can help eliminate cancer-causing free radicals from the body and slow down the degeneration of cells that leads to degenerative diseases thus providing you protection.


The fiber content helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon.


Source: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/jackfruit.html







Digestive Health - Constipation - Fiber - Jackfruit


Jackfruits are rich in dietary fiber, which makes it a good bulk laxative. It aids the bowel movement and prevents constipation. The fiber content helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon.







Eye Health - Macular Degen. - Anti-Oxidants - Vitamin A - Jackfruit


The Jackfruit contains Vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant which is beneficial for vision. Jackfruit promotes healthy vision and prevents night blindness, age related macular degeneration. The vitamin is also known for maintaining the health of the skin and the mucous membranes and for boost up the function of the immune system.







Heart Health - Blood Pressure - Stroke - Potassium - Jackfruit


Fresh jackfruit is a good source of potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Jackfruits provide instant energy when it is taken, due to the presence of bio-natural fruit sugars like, fructose, sucrose, as it contains zero cholesterol or fats, due to these nutritional facts it is regarded as one of the best health fruit.


Jackfruit reduces cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, thus improves heart health and prevents heart strokes. 







Lung Health - Asthma- Root Extracts - Jackfruit


Boiled Jackfruit roots and extract regulates asthma and prevents respiratory disorders.







Muscle Health - Nerve Health- Vitamin B1 - Jackfruit


Thiamine, also called vitamin B1, is needed for nerve and muscle function, energy metabolism, and for the production of stomach acid. Jackfruit provides 0.03mg per 100g of flesh. Men are advised to consume at least 1.2mg of thiamine daily while women 1.1mg.


Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/285157-vitamins-in-jackfruit/#ixzz2BH7c0pEB







Sexual Health - Jackfruit Seeds


The seed of the jack fruit is highly regarded as an aphrodisiac. There may be as many as 100 to 500 edible seeds embedded in a single fruit interspersed between thin bands of fibers.







Skin Health - Anti-Aging - Vitamin A - Jackfruit


Jackfruit is a good source of vitamin A, which helps to prevent skin disorders and has anti-aging properties, which makes the skin appear young by slowing down the cells degeneration.







Thyroid Health - Hormone Production - Copper - Jackfruit


Copper plays an important role in thyroid metabolism especially in hormone production and absorption and jackfruit has essential micromineral.


Source: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/jackfruit.html

Source: http://ideas4health.in/health-ideas/health-foods/fruits/jackfruit-nutritional-benefits/

Learn more: http://nutrionomics.com/

"The Bait and Switch" ... How Big Pharma Repackages Vitamins as Expensive Drugs !!!

The latest prescription medicine called Niaspan, which targeted to men and women with coronary artery disease and high cholesterol:

“...works to raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels in people with abnormal cholesterol levels ... also works to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides.”
Plus, Niaspan can "reduce the risk of another heart attack in people who have high cholesterol and a history of heart attacks."

Now, here's the thing about Niaspan... it isn't really a drug! ... it's nothing more than time-released niacin (vitamin B3)!

You can get a month's supply (without a doctor's order) from most vitamin shops for under $7. Without a doubt, you're much better off going that route... because Abbott Labs will charge you a heck of a lot more ... this profitable hoax, earning hundreds of millions of dollars for the drug giant Abbott Labs!

Source: Dr. Allan Spreen - Nationally acclaimed as America’s “Nutrition Physician” - www.healthiertalk.com

"The Bait and Switch" ... How Big Pharma Repackages Fish Oil as Expensive Drugs !!!

You've probably heard of a prescription drug called Lovaza, right? I chuckled when I first heard about it, because it's nothing more than refined fish oil.
But it sounds snazzy and you need a doctor's prescription for it ... so it must work better than regular fish oil, right?

Wrong. It doesn't. It contains the same active ingredients you find in fish oil: EPA and DHA.
But Big Pharma managed to fool many, many Americans with this hoax.

In fact, this kind of con is hugely profitable for Big Pharma ... earning billions of dollars for the drug giant Abbott Labs.
For this reason alone, we will see more and more vitamins magically "repackaged" and sold as drugs.

Source: Dr. Allan Spreen - Nationally acclaimed as America’s “Nutrition Physician” - www.healthiertalk.com

Taste


Jackfruit has a taste described as similar to chicken when green (unripe), making it an ideal meat substitute for vegetarians. When ripe, the fruit tastes like a cross between a banana and a pineapple and is quite sweet.







Food Uses


Jackfruit bulbs have unique flavor and sweet taste and can be enjoyed without any additions in order to experience their rich taste. Each edible bulb is made of thick orange-yellow flesh; cut open it with small knife or split the bulb with fingertips vertically. Inside each bulb, you find thick light brown color seed; keep it aside and enjoy the delicious flesh. 


Jackfruit slices, grated coconut, honey and banana slices mixed together is a delicious preparation commonly served in southern India. Fruit slices are a great addition to any fruit salad. The fruit is also used in jam, jelly and dessert preparations.


Jackfruit seeds are good source of protein and minerals; used like vegetables and pulses in curry preparation in several Asian countries. Unripe green fruit is used like vegetable in the preparation known as "kathal sabzee" in some North Indian states.


Boiled Jackfruit roots and extract are used for medicinal purposes, particulary in regulating asthma and preventing respiratory disorders.


Jackfruit is cut in a similar fashion like other larger fruits like watermelon. White, gummy latex oozes from the cut ends even in ripen fruit but to a lesser extent than in the unripe ones. The latex problem can be overcome by applying little coconut oil on the hands while separating bulbs since protective gloves would not help.


Another great way of dealing with this problem is mopping or rubbing the cut sections with lemon slice. The thick rind that runs through the middle of the fruit is then removed and the whole section is gently twisted few times in order to loosen individual bulbs.


Source: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/jackfruit.html





Westerners generally will find the jackfruit most acceptable in the full-grown but unripe stage. The fruit at this time is simply cut into large chunks for cooking, the only handicap being its gummy latex which accumulates on the knife and the hands unless they are first rubbed with salad oil. The chunks are boiled in lightly salted water until tender, when the really delicious flesh is cut from the rind and served as a vegetable, including the seeds which, if thoroughly cooked, are mealy and agreeable.


The latex clinging to the pot may be removed by rubbing with oil. The flesh of the unripe fruit has been experimentally canned in brine or with curry. It may also be dried and kept in tins for a year. Cross sections of dried, unripe jackfruit are sold in native markets in Thailand. Tender young fruits may be pickled with or without spices.


If the jackfruit is allowed to ripen, the bulbs and seeds may be extracted outdoors; or, if indoors, the odorous residue should be removed from the kitchen at once. The bulbs may then be enjoyed raw or cooked (with coconut milk or otherwise); or made into ice cream, chutney, jam, jelly, paste, "leather" orpapad, or canned in sirup made with sugar or honey with citric acid added.


The crisp types of jackfruit are preferred for canning. The canned product is more attractive than the fresh pulp and is sometimes called "vegetable meat". The ripe bulbs are mechanically pulped to make jackfruit nectar or reduced to concentrate or powder. The addition of synthetic flavoring—ethyl and n-butyl esters of 4-hydroxybutyric acid at 120 ppm and 100 ppm, respectively greatly improves the flavor of the canned fruit and the nectar.


If the bulbs are boiled in milk, the latter when drained off and cooled will congeal and form a pleasant, orange colored custard. By a method patented in India, the ripe bulbs may be dried, fried in oil and salted for eating like potato chips. Candied jackfruit pulp in boxes was being marketed in Brazil in 1917.


Improved methods of preserving and candying jackfruit pulp have been devised at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India. Ripe bulbs, sliced and packed in sirup with added citric acid, and frozen, retain good color, flavor and texture for one year. Canned jackfruit retains quality for 63 weeks at room temperature—75° to 80°F (23.89°-26.67°C), with only 3% loss of B-carotene. When frozen, the canned pulp keeps well for 2 years.


In Malaya, where the odor of the ripe fruit is not avoided, small jackfruits are cut in half, seeded, chilled, and brought to the table filled with ice cream.


The ripe bulbs, fermented and then distilled, produce a potent liquor.


The seeds, which appeal to all tastes, may be boiled or roasted and eaten, or boiled and preserved in sirup like chestnuts. They have also been successfully canned in brine, in curry, and, like baked beans, in tomato sauce. They are often included in curried dishes. Roasted, dried seeds are ground to make a flour which is blended with wheat flour for baking.


Where large quantities of jackfruit are available, it is worthwhile to utilize the inedible portion, and the rind has been found to yield a fair jelly with citric acid. A pectin extract can be made from the peel, undeveloped perianths and core, or just from the inner rind; and this waste also yields a sirup used for tobacco curing.


Source: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jackfruit_ars.html

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