InBehind the sweet taste and unique aroma, it turns out that there are many benefits of jackfruit that we can get. Nutrient content in jackfruit make this fruit very goodconsumed for guard health.
Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophylus) is one type of fruit that is easily found in Indonesia. The skin texture of the jackfruit is slightly prickly and yellowish green in color, while the flesh is yellow and has a distinctive aroma.
You can enjoy jackfruit by eating it directly or as a mixture of fruit salad, fruit ice, juice, compote, to es teler. In addition to the flesh of the fruit, you can also enjoy jackfruit seeds which also have many benefits.
In a serving of jackfruit (about 100-150 grams), there are about 100-160 calories. In addition, this fruit that is quite popular with people contains several types of nutrients that are good for health, namely:
- Complex carbohydrates
- Fiber
- Protein
- Vitamins, including vitamins A, B, and C
- Minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, copper and manganese
- Fat, but in very small amounts
In addition to the above nutrients, jackfruit also contains quite a lot of water and antioxidants. In fact, jackfruit and other fruits that come from the same family, such as cempedak fruit, contain a type of antioxidant that is thought to be able to fight cancer cells.
Benefits of Jackfruit for Health
Thanks to the content of these various nutrients, jackfruit has various benefits for the body. The following are the benefits of jackfruit that are a pity to miss:
1. Smooth digestion
One of the benefits of jackfruit is good for maintaining digestive function. Jackfruit is a good source of fiber. By meeting adequate fiber intake, you will avoid various digestive problems, such as constipation.
In addition to containing fiber, this fruit also contains complex carbohydrates that function as prebiotics to support the growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract.
2. Maintain ideal body weight
When you eat jackfruit, you will feel full longer, so the urge to eat snack or overeating will also be reduced.
This is thanks to the high fiber and protein content in jackfruit. In addition, the calorie content in jackfruit is also fairly low. This makes jackfruit a good food choice for maintaining ideal body weight.
3. Prevent cardiovascular disease
The benefits of jackfruit in maintaining heart and blood vessel health can be obtained from its high fiber, potassium, and antioxidant content.
Fiber and antioxidants function to reduce cholesterol and prevent blockage of blood vessels (atherosclerosis). While potassium plays a role in keeping blood pressure stable.
Because of these benefits, jackfruit is best consumed as part of a healthy diet to prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and stroke.
4. Maintain skin health
You may be quite diligent in undergoing various skin treatments. However, skin care from the outside alone is not enough. You also need to eat foods that are high in nutrients to maintain healthy skin.
One of the foods that are good for the skin is jackfruit. This fruit is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C which can prevent skin damage caused by sun exposure.
In addition, vitamin C from jackfruit can also help your body produce collagen which makes skin supple and firm, so it will prevent premature aging.
5. Reduces the risk of cancer
Cancer is one of the most dangerous and deadliest diseases in the world. now, so that you avoid this disease, there are several ways you can do to prevent cancer and maintain overall health, namely living a healthy diet by eating nutritious foods.
Jackfruit is one of the nutritious foods that contain lots of antioxidants. Antioxidants can counteract the negative effects of free radicals on body cells, and cell damage caused by these free radicals can cause various chronic diseases, including cancer.
But you need to know, even though the nutritional content in jackfruit can provide a variety of the above benefits, the benefits of jackfruit itself for health and disease prevention still need to be clinically proven.
Things to Pay Attention to Before Consuming Jackfruit
Be careful, not everyone can eat jackfruit. Diabetics are advised to limit the consumption of jackfruit, because this fruit has a high sugar content and glycemic index.
If consumed too much, jackfruit can make blood sugar levels spike. Therefore, consumption of jackfruit should not exceed 2-3 servings per day.
Jackfruit is also known to cause drug interactions and affect the work of certain drugs, if taken together with these drugs. Examples of drugs that can interact with jackfruit are diabetes drugs and anesthetics.
So, if you are taking these drugs or will undergo a medical procedure that uses anesthetics, you should avoid consuming jackfruit for a while. If necessary, ask your doctor if you can eat jackfruit during treatment.