The jackfruit comes from a species of tree native to southwestern India and the eastern peninsula of Malaysia. It is presently cultivated in the Antilles and America with a very exotic appearance and full of benefits for our body. It belongs to the Moraceae family of plants, including mulberries, figs, and breadfruits.
A large jackfruit has thick, yellow pulp and edible seeds and pods. The pulp has a sweet, distinctive taste that some describe as a cross between banana and pineapple. In this article, we will be looking into more details about this fruit and shed more light on jackfruit and its acidic level, and much more.
Is Jackfruit Acidic? Yes. Jackfruit is slightly acidic since it has a PH range of 4.7 to 5.8 on the pH meter. However, there is a variation in the acidity of jackfruit. As the fruits ripen, the fruit tends to be less acidic and more alkaline because of increased pH.
Which Acid Is Present in Jackfruit?
The acids contained in jackfruit are oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic, and stearic acid. According to some studies, the oleic content of jackfruit is essential in reducing the risk of developing heart-related diseases by raising the good cholesterol (HDL) and lowering the bad ones(LDL).
It serves acts as an anti-inflammatory acid that helps restore your skin’s natural oil without clogging your spores. While palmitic acid plays a crucial in maintaining your overall health, stearic acid helps to soften the hair, rendering it glossy and light.
Can the Acid in Jackfruit Cause Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is a health condition whereby the acidic gastric fluid flows backward from the stomach to the esophagus resulting in heartburn. Foods having a pH level of about four or lower tend to enkindle heartburn symptoms. Moreover, the fermentation of jackfruit after entering the digestive system leads to an increase in stomach acid. And the acidity of jackfruit, alongside this fermentation process, can raise the risk of heartburn.
Is Jackfruit Good for Stomach Ulcers?
One of the importance benefits of jackfruit are its ability to address many stomach problems. It helps in preventing constipation and increasing bowel movement. And according to studies, regular dietary supplementation with jackfruit may render protective health benefits against health conditions like a stomach ulcer.
What Are the Health Benefits of Jackfruit?
Apart from having a distinctive sweet flavor and being used to making a wide variety of dishes, it’s also very nutritious and has numerous health benefits. The benefits of jackfruit are limitless, but the emphasis is on these key benefits:
Protection Against Disease
Jackfruit is rich in antioxidants effective of providing various health benefits and reducing the risk of developing several diseases. Antioxidants majorly help guard the body cells against inflammation and oxidative stress that mostly occur from damage caused by molecules called free radicals. Some of the antioxidants contained in jackfruit include carotenoid, vitamin C and Flavanones.
Enhancement of Wound Healing
The jackfruit is a good fount of vitamin C, a competent antioxidant essential for a healthy immune system. The body also needs vitamin C to make collagen protein, essential for maintaining healthy skin, bones, and connective tissues such as blood vessels and cartilage. Collagen is also beneficial for wound healing.
As stated by a 2014 review, jackfruit comprises anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal substances that can also help promote wound healing. A 2013 study explored the wound-healing properties of jackfruit leaf extract on samples of pigskin. The researchers concluded that jackfruit leaf extracts could promote wound healing.
Stimulation of Healthy Digestion
Jackfruit, especially the seeds, are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. As stated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), soluble fiber can help lower LDL cholesterol levels and slow the absorption of carbohydrates into the bloodstream, which can help prevent blood sugar spikes after a meal. Research suggests that fiber may also lower heart disease, diabetes, and colon cancer.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that women consume 25 grams (g) and men 38 g of fiber per day. Jackfruit seeds also contain prebiotics, which can help useful bacteria grow in the gut.
FAQ On Jackfruit
Who Should Not Eat Jackfruit?
Despite being safe for most to eat, some people may need to avoid or limit jackfruit, especially allergic people. Furthermore, due to its tendency to lower sugar levels, people with diabetes may need to change their medications if they eat jackfruit regularly to avoid unwanted reactions in the body system. Also, jackfruit contains a lot of potassium which can be unfavorable to people with chronic disease or acute kidney failure. However, eating jackfruit has never been recorded to cause any adverse effects, and it’s safe for most people to consume.
Does Jackfruit Lower Blood Sugar?
Yes, it does! Packed with magnesium, potassium, copper, proteins, vitamins A and C, it is too good for the body. But what sets jackfruit apart when it comes to diabetes is its medium glycemic index (GI) which implies that as your body breaks down the food slowly, there will be a lower spike in your blood sugar levels.
Also, due to its acidity levels, jackfruit is one of the fruits eaten as a substitute for your regular intake of carbohydrates. So if you replace a bowl of rice with raw jackfruit, its high soluble fiber content will help you control your sugar level and reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
Is Jackfruit Healthier Than Meat?
When cooked, the unripe flesh of jackfruit has a texture similar to pulled pork or chicken. Once it’s cooked and seasoned, it’s mostly difficult for senses to detect whether it’s meat substitute or meat. And as a result of this, some people use this fruit as a meat substitute. Jackfruit is a fruit, and it’s therefore expected to have a nutritional profile different from that of meat.
However, the protein content is the most glaring difference between meant and jackfruit. While meat is full of protein, an important building block for the body’s tissue, jackfruit is not a protein-based substitute. Still, it has other advantages compared to meat’s protein content. For instance, jackfruit has low-calorie content of about 6 less than chicken and has no cholesterol or fats. Where jackfruit mostly outstands, meat is in the fiber content. Jackfruit is very rich in fiber, while meat has no fiber. By consuming meat alone, most people are missing out on the incredible health benefits of fiber.
Is Jackfruit Good for Weight Loss?
Jackfruit is very good at weight loss if consumed the right way. The fruit is very high in fiber and very helpful in improving digestion and metabolism-the fundamental of losing weight. Jackfruit is not too high in calories, and a cup of sliced jackfruit contains about 150calories. Additionally, jackfruit can help lose weight since it’s free from fats and low in calories, making it easy for dieters to safely consume it and fully enjoy its other nutrients.
Is It Okay to Drink Milk After Eating Jackfruit?
According to studies, the combination of jackfruit and milk is very harmful and can increase the risk of developing skin diseases like itching, ringworm, scabies, and eczema. Therefore it’s advisable that you away with milk immediately after consuming jackfruit.
Is It Good to Eat Jackfruit at Night?
Jackfruit can be consumed at night, but it’s not ideal for eating too much. Too much intake of jackfruit can easily cause the symptoms of feeling angry, and those who eat jackfruit at night may become fat. This is simply because of the sugar content of jackfruit, so people who are obese are very unsuitable for eating jackfruit at night. Above all, the ideal time to consume jackfruit is five to six hours before going to bed so that the fruit can digest properly.
Conclusion
Jackfruit is a good fount of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and other important vitamins and minerals. Research also suggests that compounds in the pulp, seeds, and other parts of the plant can treat or prevent a range of health problems. The jackfruit is a popular meat substitute. When cooked, the unripe pulp has a texture similar to chicken or pork. The jackfruit is safe and nutritious for most people. However, if you are allergic to latex or birch pollen, you should be careful when consuming the fruit.