Jackfruit: The re-entry of the forgotten fruit

Locally available vegetables and fruits only gain popularity when a celebrity endorses them. Often forgotten otherwise, native fruits are in vogue when the stamp of a famous person identifies them as ‘healthy’ or helpful for weight loss. One such fruit in current limelight is the good old jackfruit.

In a recent social media post, Rujuta Diwekar, celebrity nutritionist, spoke about the importance of the long forgotten fruit, jackfruit. Rujuta has stated various benefits of jackfruit, including its gut-friendliness, improved insulin sensitivity and great for hair.

Nutritionally, jackfruits are rich in carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins A and C, riboflavins, magnesium and potassium. Jackfruits are tropical fruits, which are major source of healthy calories. In India, jackfruits are often consumed in the form of subzi, jams and even pickles. They are popularly known as kathal. Various recipes can be prepared with ripe and unripe jackfruits.

Jackfruits are also low in glycemic index and hence, are good for diabetics. This is due to their fibrous property, which leads to slow digestion and hence, stagnates blood sugar spikes. Even the presence of protein in jackfruits is known to help in controlling blood sugar levels.

The fiber and carbohydrate content in jackfruits is also good for digestion and even supports bowel regularity, especially for those suffering with chronic constipation.

Loaded with cartenoids and flavanones, jackfruits are also packed with anti-inflammatory properties. It is because of this that jackfruits are ideal for those suffering with heart diseases and cholesterol issues. Since the tropical fruit contains antioxidants, it is advisable for such patients.

The presence of vitamins A and C contributes to a stronger immunity. In south India, jackfruits are also known to treat issues such as diarrhea and asthma. However, studies are yet to prove their benefit in external treatments.