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Posts: 4397 · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:13 pm

Health Benefits of Jackfruit

by Tommy Fassbender, Aug 1, 2008

Jackfruit is an aromatic, fleshy fruit native to Southwestern India, Bangladesh, Philippines, and Sri Lanka.

The Jackfruit tree though native to these countries, has found its way to the tropics of the Caribbean and the Americas over the years. Jackfruit is therefore popular in countries such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

And although many who eat jackfruit love it for its delicious taste, quite a few are unaware of the health benefits of jackfruit.

Jackfruit contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, potassium, iron, sodium, zinc and niacin among many other nutrients.

Jackfruit also benefits one’s health as it has a low caloric content: 100 grams of jackfruit only contains 94 calories.

Jackfruit is a rich source of potassium with 303 milligram found in 100 grams of jackfruit. Studies show that food rich in potassium helps to lower blood pressure. Therefore, jackfruit has the health benefit of providing relief for anyone who suffers from high blood pressure.

Another benefit of eating jackfruit is that it is a good source of Vitamin C. The human body does not make Vitamin C naturally so we must eat food that contains Vitamin C to reap its health benefits. The health benefits of Vitamin C are that it is an antioxidant that protects the body against free radicals, Vitamin C holds the cells in our bodies together, and Vitamin C strengthens our immune systems and keeps our gums healthy.

Jackfruit contains phytonutrients: lignans, isoflavones and saponins which have health benefits that are wide ranging. These phytonutrients have anti-cancer, antihypertensive, anti-ulcer and anti-ageing properties. The phytonutrients found in jackfruit, therefore, can prevent cancer cells from forming in the body, can lower blood pressure, can fight against stomach ulcers and can slow down the degeneration of cells that make the skin look young and vital.

Jackfruit root has been found to help those suffering from asthma. Boiling the root of the jackfruit and extracting its high nutritional content has been found to control asthma. Jackfruit also benefits the body in that jackfruit root can also be used to treat skin problems. The extract of jackfruit root is also believed to be able to help cure diarrhea and fever.

If you want to take advantage of the many health benefits of the jackfruit, improving your overall health, happiness and well being you can find jackfruit in many Asian and Caribbean food stores or supermarkets.

Posts: 4397 · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 2:46 pm

What is Jackfruit?

By Darlene Schmidt, About.com
Filed In:

jackfruit

Peeled Jackfruit at a Thai Market
D.Schmidt

Question: What is Jackfruit?

While jackfruit is a common sight throughout Asia, here in the West, jackfruit is still largely unknown. It is, however, available in many Asian markets and specialty stores. Read on to find out more about this mysterious fruit, including how to cook with it...

Answer: Enormous and prickly on the outside, jackfruit looks somewhat like durian (though jackfruit is usually even larger). Once a jackfruit is cracked open, what you will find inside are pods or "bulbs". Often referred to as the seeds, these bulbs are actually a kind of fleshy covering for the true seeds or pits, which are round and dark like chesnuts. The fleshy part (the "bulb") can be eaten as is, or cut up and cooked. When unripe (green), it is remarkably similar in texture to chicken, making jackfruit an excellent vegetarian substitute for meat. In fact, canned jackfruit (in brine) is sometimes referred to as "vegetable meat".

Jackfruit can also be purchased frozen, dried, or canned either in brine (usually unripe) or in syrup (ripe and sweet). If using fresh jackfruit, it's a good idea to oil your knife and hands first before cutting, as the fruit is very sticky.

Jackfruit seeds (nuts) can be roasted like chestnuts, or boiled. If left to cook inside the flesh (for example, in curries or other cooked dishes), the nut softens and can easily be eaten.

Jackfruit contains many vitamins and minerals, and offers numerous health benefits. The fruit's isoflavones, antioxidants, and phytonutrients mean that jackfruit has cancer-fighting properties. It is also known to help cure ulcers and indigestion[/color]

This Jackfruit Curry Recipe is exotically delicious, and makes for a fantastic vegetarian or vegan main dish. Green jackfruit (purchased frozen or canned) is remarkably similar to chicken in consistency, and is even referred to as "vegetable meat" in many parts of Southeast-Asia. In Thailand, fresh jackfruit ("khanun") can be seen in the marketplaces (a prickly-looking fruit similar to durian), as well as in its dried form. Jackfruit is very healthy, loaded with numerous vitamins and minerals, plus isoflavones, phytonutrients, and anti-oxidants (For more on jackfruit, see link within recipe).
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:

* SERVES 4
* 1 package frozen jackfruit, preferably unripe/green, OR 1 can prepared jackfruit in brine (not syrup), drained
* 1 small to medium cooking onion, cut into eighths (wedge-like pieces)
* 1 green bell pepper, de-seeded and chopped/sliced
* 1 red bell pepper, de-seeded and chopped/sliced
* 3/4 cup dry roasted (unsalted) cashews
* 1/3 to 1/2 can coconut milk (depending on how much sauce you prefer)
* generous handful of fresh basil for garnish
* 2 Tbsp. oil for stir-frying
* 3-4 Tbsp. white wine (or white cooking wine) for stir-frying
* PASTE:
* 3 spring onions, sliced
* 1 fresh red chili (or more if you want it ultra spicy)
* 4-5 whole lime leaves, fresh or frozen (available in the produce or freezer section of most Asian/Chinese food stores)
* 4 cloves garlic
* 1 Tbsp. lemon or lime juice
* 2 Tbsp. vegetarian fish sauce (or regular fish sauce if non-vegetarian), available at Vietnamese stores
* 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
* 2 Tbsp. coconut, canola, olive, or other healthy, good-tasting oil
* 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
* optional: 1 tsp. dark soy sauce (available at Asian/Chinese food stores)
* 1 tsp. sugar

Preparation:
For more about buying and preparing Jackfruit, plus health benefits, see my What is Jackfruit?

1. First, prepare the curry paste. Place all paste ingredients together in a food processor or mini-chopper and process well. OR you can pound the dry ingredients together using a pestle & mortar, then add wet ingredients to combine. If you do not have these implements: Simply mince dry ingredients finely by hand, then stir to combine them with wet ingredients in a small bowl.Lime Leaf Tip: Prepare the lime leaves using scissors to cut out (and discard) the hard central stem. If lime leaves are frozen, you can quickly thaw them by running under some hot water. Set paste aside.
2. Cut jackfruit into desired bite size, either in strips or cubes/chunks (as you would with chicken). Set aside.
3. Place 2 Tbsp. oil in a wok or deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and stir-fry 2-3 minutes. Add a little of the wine (1/2 to 1 Tbsp. at a time) instead of more oil whenever wok/pan becomes dry.
4. Add the bell peppers. If using green jackfruit, add it now as well. Continue stir-frying another 2-3 minutes, or until peppers have softened and turned bright in color. Again, add a little wine when wok/pan becomes dry to keep ingredients frying nicely.
5. Add the paste you made earlier, plus the coconut milk (start by adding 1/3 can). If using ripe (unsweetened) jackfruit, add it now as well. Stir well to combine.
6. Reduce heat to medium-low, allowing curry to gently simmer 2-3 minutes, or until ingredients are nicely cooked, but not overcooked (bell peppers should still retain their firmness and color). Tip: Try not to overcook this curry, or you will lose the fragrance and taste of the paste. When done, the green jackfruit should shred easily (like chicken). If using ripe, unsweetened jackfruit, it should be soft (but not mushy) in texture.
7. Just before serving, add the cashews, gently stirring them in. Now do a taste-test, looking for a balance of salty, sour, sweet and spicy. If not salty enough, add more [vegetarian] fish sauce, soy sauce, or a little salt. If too salty for your taste, add another squeeze of lime/lemon juice. If not spicy enough, add more fresh chili. If too spicy (or if you prefer more sauce), add a little more coconut milk. Add a little more sugar if too sour.
8. To serve, either portion out in bowls or on plates, or ladle the curry into a serving dish. Sprinkle with generous amounts of fresh basil, and serve with plenty of Thai jasmine-scented rice. ENJOY![/b]

Posts: 141 · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:47 am

I love jackfruit.
It gows in plenty where I live and we enjoy it in many forms.

When tender, we cook it as a vegetable and eat it with chapatti or rice. This vegetable has high fibre and keeps the bowel clean.

Half-ripe jackfruit is cooked and eaten steamed, with coconut shavings.

Ripe furit is eaten raw or mashed and dried in the sun, and eaten as dry cake throughout the year.

Quote:

Fruit Astrology!

Posts: 4397 · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:49 pm

Dear Dr.Jayasree,

Thanks for your extra informations regarding Jack fruits. I too love them .

Regards,