Although you’ve probably never heard of jackfruit, it’s very good for you for so many reasons. It’s worth a try if you add jackfruit to your diet and it is considered healthy. It is also considered a good meat alternative for vegans and vegetarians. Here Brianna Elliott, RD, HealthLine.com, reflects on why jackfruit is good for you, nutrition, benefits, and how to eat it:

“Jackfruit is a unique tropical fruit that has increased in popularity in recent years.

It has a distinctive sweet flavor and can be used to make a wide variety of dishes. It’s also very nutritious and may have several health benefits.

This article will discuss the advantages of adding jackfruit to your diet.

What Is Jackfruit?

Jackfruit is an exotic fruit grown in tropical regions of the world. It is native to South India.

It is part of the Moraceae plant family, which also includes fig, mulberry and breadfruit. Jackfruit has a spiky outer skin and is green or yellow in color.

One unique aspect of jackfruit is its unusually large size. It is the largest tree fruit in the world and can reach up to 80 pounds (35 kg) in weight.

Jackfruit has a subtle sweet and fruity flavor. It has been said to taste similar to a combination of fruits, including apples, pineapples, mangoes and bananas.

Vegans and vegetarians often use this fruit as a meat substitute due to its texture, which is comparable to shredded meat.

Since jackfruit is able to withstand tropical climates, it can be a major source of calories and carbs for people in developing countries who are at risk of starvation (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).

Although jackfruit is grown in tropical areas, it is becoming more widely available in other parts of the world, including the US. It is in season during the summer.

The most commonly consumed part of jackfruit is the flesh, or fruit pods, which are edible both when ripe and unripe. It can be used in sweet and savory dishes, including desserts and curries. The seeds are also safe to eat.

Jackfruit Is Packed With Nutrients

Jackfruit has an impressive nutrition profile.

It contains a moderate amount of calories, providing 155 in a one-cup (165-gram) serving. Approximately 92% of the calories come from carbs, while the rest come from protein and a small amount of fat (3).

Furthermore, jackfruit contains some of almost every vitamin and mineral that you need, as well as a decent amount of fiber (3).

One cup of sliced fruit provides the following nutrients (3):

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

What makes jackfruit unique from other fruits is its protein content. It provides more than 3 grams of protein per cup, compared to 0–1 grams in other similar types of fruit, such as apples and mangoes (3, 4, 5).

Jackfruit is also rich in several types of antioxidants, which are likely responsible for the majority of its health benefits (6Trusted Source).

It May Benefit Blood Sugar Control

Jackfruit has several properties that may help with blood sugar management.

It has a fairly low glycemic index (GI), which is a measure of how quickly your blood sugar rises after eating a food. This has been attributed to the fiber it provides, which slows digestion and helps prevent blood sugar spikes (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).

Diets that include lots of low-GI foods have been shown to be helpful for promoting blood sugar control (7Trusted Source).

Moreover, jackfruit provides some protein, which may help prevent blood sugar levels from rising too quickly after a meal (9Trusted Source).

In one study, adults who consumed jackfruit extract were found to have significantly improved blood sugar levels (10Trusted Source).

Additionally, a study of diabetic mice found that jackfruit leaf extract helped reduce fasting blood sugar levels and provided long-term blood sugar control (11Trusted Source).

These effects were attributed to jackfruit’s content of flavonoid antioxidants, which are known for their ability to promote balanced blood sugar levels (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).

Although the results from these studies are promising, more studies of people eating fresh jackfruit are necessary to confirm these potential benefits.”

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Read More … Article Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/jackfruit-benefits#section3