13 Amazing Benefits Of Jackfruit (Kathal)
Jackfruit or Jack grows on the tree of the same name. This tree relates to the Moraceae family. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh and is believed to be originated in the Southwestern rain forests of India. It is consumed both as fruit and vegetable. As it contains several essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, polyphenols, and dietary fibers, etc they provide several health and beauty benefits.
Health Benefits Of Jackfruit ( Kathal)
Some major health benefits of jackfruit are as follows.
(1) Promotes Immune Health
Jackfruit strengthens our immune system, the defense mechanism of the body that contributes to preventing and treating various microbial infections and diseases, and as well as external injuries, and wounds.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and carotenoids, etc in jackfruit protect the white blood cells or immune cells from free radical damage and thus strengthens our immune system.
Vitamin C further strengthens our immunity by enhancing the production of white blood cells.
When our immunity is stronger, we are less likely to get a cough, cold, fever, and flu, etc.
Other nutrients like zinc, potassium, magnesium, iron, and folate, etc in jackfruit also contribute to better immune health.
(2) Provides Instant Energy And Reduce Muscle Weakness
Simple sugars like fructose and sucrose present in the jackfruit make it a wonderful energy booster that safely provides instant energy. Eating 100 grams of jackfruit provides 95 calories of energy.
B vitamins like thiamine and niacin in the jackfruit reduce stress and anxiety, minimize muscle weakness and provide relief from fatigue.
(3) Protection Against Several Cancer(s)
Antioxidants and antioxidantal compounds like vitamin C, vitamin A, phytonutrients, polyphenols, and carotenoids, etc in jackfruit protect our cells from free radical damage and minimizes the risk of several cancers like colon cancer, abdominal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, etc.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
(4) Regulates High Blood Pressure
Potassium, a natural vasodilator present in the jackfruit relaxes our blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and thus regulates high blood pressure or hypertension.
Hypertension is a silent killer that affects millions of people around the world and gives rise to various health problems like severe headaches, nose bleed, chest pain, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, difficulty in breathing, vision problems, and blood in urine, etc.
Other nutrients like zinc and magnesium in jackfruit also aid in regulating high blood pressure.
Eat jackfruit in moderation as a high potassium level may lower the blood pressure to an abnormally low level and may give rise to hypotension with symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, nausea, dehydration, lack of concentration, blurred vision, and pale skin, etc.
If you are already on blood pressure medication, then consult with your doctor before adding jackfruit to your diet to avoid the risk of food-drug intolerance.
(5) Improves Digestive Health
Jackfruit improves our digestive health and minimizes the risk of colon cancer.
It contains antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and relevant compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and carotenoids, etc that protect our digestive system from free radical damage and minimizes the risk of colon cancer, abdominal cancer, pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, and stomach cancer, etc.
Dietary fiber in jackfruit is a natural laxative that improves bowel movement, aids in stool elimination, and provides relief from constipation and other gastrointestinal issues like abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating and flatulence, etc.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, and folate, etc also improves our digestive health.
The anti-ulcerative properties of jackfruit minimize the risk of stomach ulcers.
(6) Maintains Ocular Health
Jackfruit is good for the eyes, the visionary organ that allows us to enjoy the beauty of the world.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin A, and other relevant compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and carotenoids, etc it protects our eyes from free radical damage and reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, etc.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for the eyes as it improves vision, prevents eye dryness, and minimizes the risk of night-blindness.
(7) Improves Respiratory Health
Jackfruit improves our respiratory health.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in jackfruit protect our respiratory system from free radical damage and minimizes the risk of lung cancer.
Vitamin C, vitamin A and other anti-inflammatory compounds present in the jackfruit protect our respiratory system from pain and inflammation and minimizes the risk of asthma, bronchial asthma, and lung inflammation.
Other nutrients like potassium, zinc, magnesium, and manganese, etc in jackfruit also improve our respiratory health.
(8) Make Our Bones Stronger
Jackfruit strengthens our bones and teeth due to the presence of bone-strengthening minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, etc in it.
Calcium helps in the growth and development of the bones, and deficiency of this vital mineral may increase the risk of bone disorders like osteoporosis.
Jackfruit contains potassium that neutralizes acid load, reduces calcium loss from the bones, and improves bone density.
Magnesium also contributes to better bone health as it improves bone density.
Manganese in jackfruit enhance calcium absorption and improves the bone mineral density of the spinal column.
Other nutrients like zinc, phosphorus, and folate, etc also aid in making our bones healthier.
(9) Minimizes Risk of Iron-Induced Anemia
Iron, a vital mineral present in the jackfruit aids in the prevention and treatment of Iron-Induced anemia as it increases the production of red blood cells that carries oxygenated blood to cells and tissues and provides nourishment to them.
Iron-induced anemia is a blood disorder mainly caused by the deficiency of iron in the body. It gives rise to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and cold hands or feet, etc.
Vitamin C in the jackfruit enhances iron absorption in the body and is beneficial against anemia.
Other nutrients like folate, pantothenic acid, copper, magnesium, and manganese, etc in jackfruit also play a significant role against anemia.
(10) Good For Diabetic Patients
With a high glycemic index of 50, overconsumption of jackfruit may speed up the rate at which sugar is released into the bloodstream and cause a spike in the blood sugar level.
However, it also contains dietary fibers that slow down the rate at which sugar is absorbed by the bloodstream and helps in controlling blood sugar levels.
Other nutrients like potassium and manganese in the jackfruit also contribute to blood sugar regulation.
For the safe side, consume jackfruit in moderation and a small serving as high quantity may increase the risk of hyperglycemia with symptoms like nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, dry mouth, weakness, confusion, and abdominal pain, etc.
If you are on diabetic medication, consult your doctor before adding jackfruit to your diet to avoid the risk of food-drug intolerance.
(11) Improves Thyroid Health
Copper, a vital mineral present in the jackfruit facilitates the production and absorption of thyroid hormones, and thus improves our thyroid health.
(12) Keep Our Cardiovascular System Healthy
Jackfruit is good for the heart and improves our cardiovascular health.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols, etc in jackfruit protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.
Dietary fibers in jackfruit reduce LDL cholesterol and thus minimizes the risk of atherosclerosis which is a leading cause of several cardiovascular problems.
It also contains potassium that relaxes our blood vessels and controls hypertension or high blood pressure which is a major cause of several cardiovascular and other health problems.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, manganese, and copper, etc in jackfruit also contribute to our cardiovascular health.
(13) Provides Relief From Sleeping Disorders
Jackfruit provides relief from insomnia and other sleep disorders.
B vitamins present in the jackfruit relax us and improves sleep quality.
Other nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and calcium, etc in jackfruit also help in enjoying better sleep.
Calcium helps our body to convert tryptophan amino acid to melatonin hormone, a primary sleep hormone that controls the sleep-wake cycle.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about the topic, and should not be taken as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice treatment or diagnosis. Always consult with your doctor before trying out any of the remedies/recipes suggested in the blog post.
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