7 Surprising Health Benefits of Jackfruit

You’re totally missing out if you don’t eat jackfruit. This tasty fruit native to southern Asia is loaded with nutrients like vitamin B and magnesium.

Now, you may think it’s not necessary to eat jackfruit since you already eat bananas, oranges, watermelon and other fruits. But this fruit has antioxidants and phytonutrients you may not find in common fruits. 

Jackfruit seeds also contain nutrients which can be beneficial to your health.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF JACKFRUIT

1. Loaded with nutrients

Jackfruit is a nutrient-dense fruit. It contains phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes. Here are the nutrients in one cup (165g) of jackfruit.

Calories: 157
Dietary fiber: 2.5g
Protein: 2.8g
Potassium: 739mg
Carbs: 39g
Vitamin B6: 25% of recommended daily intake (RDI)
Magnesium: 12% of RDI
Vitamin C: 37% of RDI
Calcium: 4% of RDI 

Jackfruit also has small amounts of iron, vitamin A, sodium, folates and zinc.

2. May prevent magnesium deficiency

Did you know that 50 to 80 percent of Americans are magnesium deficient? Low intake of magnesium-rich foods is to blame for this. Other contributing factors include consumption of GMOs, digestive diseases and high usage of artificial meds.

A cup of jackfruit will give you 12 percent of the recommended daily magnesium intake. Research shows that adequate intake of magnesium can lower of risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

3. May strengthen your immune system

A cup of jackfruit contains 37 percent of the recommended daily vitamin C intake. And as you may know, vitamin C protects the immune system and lowers risk of diseases.

Vitamin C is also a strong antioxidant which means it will fight the free radicals in your body. Free radicals have been linked to fast aging, cancer and high risk of infections. In fact, research shows that vitamin C can reduce risk of breast cancer.

4. May improve cardiovascular health

Jackfruit may improve your heart health because it contains vitamin B6. This study found that supplementation of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 can reduce risk of stroke and heart disease by 25 percent.

Potassium is also known to regulate blood pressure. And you know what? A cup of jackfruit will give you 21 percent of the daily recommended potassium.

5. May improve your digestion

Jackfruit seeds contain high amounts of fiber. Eating high fiber foods reduces constipation and improves bowel movement.

Fiber can also help you lose weight if that’s your goal.

6. Could improve eye health

Jackfruit contains vitamin A. This nutrient has been proven to improve eye health and prevent nuclear and cortical cataract.

Lutein Zeaxanthin, a compound found in jackfruit helps protects the eyes from ultraviolet rays and other harmful light waves.

7. May prevent osteoporosis

Increasing intake of magnesium and calcium can strengthen your bones and lower risk of osteoporosis and arthritis. Lucky for us, jackfruit contains both of these nutrients.

Research shows that adequate levels of magnesium in the body help increase absorption of calcium and vitamin D.

You can find jackfruit canned in your local grocery store, Trader Joe’s, Asian grocery stores or order it online.