Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that is commonly grown in many Southeast Asian countries. Possessing a very unique aroma and sweetness, jackfruit has become a fruit that makes many people “addicted”. Through the following shares, let’s explore the nutritional values ​​and how to maximize the benefits of this natural gift.

1. Some characteristics of jackfruit

Jackfruit is a tree of the Mulberry family, originating from India, grown in many tropical and subtropical countries.

Jackfruit trees have an average height of 10 – 20m. Jackfruit leaves are large and thick, dark green. Jackfruit often grows directly from the trunk or main branch, weighing from a few kg to over 20 kg. Inside the jackfruit there are fibrous branches and yellow segments containing seeds. The characteristic aroma and rich sweetness of jackfruit segments have captivated many people who love this fruit.

jackfruit tree

2. Nutritional value and health of jackfruit

2.1. Nutritional value

Jackfruit is a diverse source of nutrients with main ingredients such as:

– Vitamin C: Has the role of strengthening the immune system to protect the body from infectious agents.

– Vitamin A: The large amount of beta-carotene – a precursor of vitamin A in jackfruit is very good for eye and skin health.

– Potassium: The potassium content in jackfruit helps maintain stable blood pressure and cardiovascular function.

– Fiber: Increases the ability of the digestive tract to function, reduces the risk of constipation and stabilizes body weight.

– Antioxidants: Flavonoids and polyphenols in jackfruit help protect the body from free radical attacks that cause cancer.

2.2. Health benefits

– Nutritional supplement

Jackfruit contains many vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium. These are important components for the immune system, skin health, blood pressure stabilization and cardiovascular function.

– Stabilize digestive function

The fiber content in jackfruit is relatively high. This is an important component to ensure smooth functioning of the digestive system and prevent constipation. Fiber also helps reduce blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

– Increase energy

Jackfruit contains a large amount of carbohydrates, natural sugars fructose and sucrose help provide energy quickly to the body. This is the reason why jackfruit can be chosen as a snack on stressful working days or before exercise.

– Cancer Prevention

With ingredients such as flavonoids, saponins, tannins, jackfruit is rich in antioxidants to protect cells from free radical attacks, thereby preventing cancer.

Antioxidant compounds in jackfruit help prevent colon cancer

3. Possible risks of overusing jackfruit

Indigestion, bloating

The carbohydrate and fiber content in jackfruit is relatively high, so eating a lot can cause indigestion and bloating, especially in people who often lack fiber or have a poor digestive system.

– Weight gain

Jackfruit is rich in calories and sugar, if eaten too much it can cause weight gain, especially when regularly in an unbalanced diet. Therefore, people who want to control their weight need to pay attention to the amount of jackfruit consumed daily.

4. Some dishes from jackfruit and notes on use

4.1. Dishes from jackfruit

– Eat ripe jackfruit directly

This is an extremely quick way to enjoy jackfruit. This way, you will fully enjoy the aroma and sweetness characteristic of this fruit. However, you should only eat no more than 165g of jackfruit segments/day to ensure health safety.

– Dried jackfruit

Dried jackfruit is a snack made from jackfruit segments that have been dried or sun-dried. Dried jackfruit retains the characteristic flavor of fresh jackfruit but is crispier, so it is suitable for sipping with a little tea. You can also choose dried jackfruit as a meaningful gift for friends and relatives.

– Jackfruit salad

Young jackfruit salad is a very popular traditional dish in the Central provinces. Young jackfruit is boiled, chopped and then mixed with shrimp, meat, raw vegetables and sweet and sour fish sauce. This dish has the crunchy and sweet taste of jackfruit, mixed with the sour and spicy taste of fish sauce to create a very unique flavor.

In addition, jackfruit can be used with other ingredients to create desserts such as: jackfruit sweet soup, jackfruit yogurt,…

Jackfruit can be eaten directly or processed into other dishes to change the taste.

4.2. Notes when using

Although jackfruit brings many nutritional values ​​that should not be ignored, when consuming this fruit, you should also note:

– Do not eat too much: Jackfruit has a high sugar content, so eating too much can cause weight gain and is not good for people with diabetes.

– Do not eat when hungry: If you eat jackfruit when hungry, it can cause bloating. Therefore, eat jackfruit after the main meal to avoid digestive problems.

– Do not eat at night: Jackfruit has a high sugar content, is hot, if eaten at night it can cause bloating, affect digestion and sleep quality.

– People with chronic diseases: People with chronic diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure, kidney disease, … should be careful when eating jackfruit. It is best to consult a doctor before adding jackfruit to your daily diet.

Jackfruit is a fruit that stimulates the sense of taste and smell very highly. In particular, when knowing the health value that this fruit brings, jackfruit “addicts” will not want to miss it. If you are also in this group, remember to use jackfruit properly with the right amount to avoid bloating and uncontrolled weight gain.