Jackfruit – natural remedies from the best fruits available

Through years of research conducted on the jackfruit it has been found that it has abundant medicinal values. Jackfruits are anti-cancerous, promote healthy blood circulation, prevent constipation and help in maintaining healthy hair and flawless skin.

In a recent study conducted by P. Ramani at the research department of the Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum(Kerala, India), it was fou§§nd that jackfruit seeds can be used for the early detection of cancer cells. The seeds can reveal cells before they turn cancerous.

The process for detecting the cells that might turn cancerous in the future, is comparatively simple. A paste made from Lectine(a protein extracted from jackfruit seed)is applied on the doubted cells. After half an hour when the paste is washed away, the cells that might become tumorous in the future will show discolouration. By this method the chance of getting cancer can be predicted 10 years earlier. This magical property of the jackfruit seeds is vital in the timely detection of cancer cells thereby preventing the progress of the tumour.

The Jackfruit belongs to the mulberry family( Family Moraceae). It is known by different names (Jak, Jack, kathal, chakka,etc) in different regions. Jackfruit is believed to have originated in the south-western rain forests of India( Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and coastal Maharashtra and Karnataka). Jackfruits have a major role in the diet of Asians.

Jackfruits can be consumed as fruits when they are ripe and can also be used as a vegetable when they are raw. No part of the fruit is wasted except for the outer thorny skin. The sweet flesh of the fruit is either eaten as such or made into a variety of desserts, like Jackfruit halwa, which taste equally good.

The seeds of the fruit are used in many dishes like chakka puzhukku( dish made by slightly mashing the cooked flesh and seeds of the jackfruit) and they are also sun-dried and stored for later use. The seeds are used as an alternate for lentils in many curries. The other parts of the fruit are used for making pickles and papad.

Along with the delicious taste the fruit also has immense medicinal properties. The jackfruit seeds are composed of a lot of phytonutrients (natural chemicals present in plants) that help in preventing cancer.

High fiber content in the jackfruit seeds aids in the proper digestion of food thereby preventing constipation.The flesh of the fruit is rich in dietary fibers which helps protect the colon mucous membrane by binding to it and also eliminates cancer causing chemicals from the colon. It is also a rich source of antioxidants which in turn provides a healthy

complexion.

Jackfruits contain a high amount of carbohydrates and calories without any fat accompanying them. The sugars present in Jackfruit, sucrose and fructose, are easily digestible and they also belong to a category called SAG( Slowly Available Glucose). They are slowly absorbed into the body unlike other sugars. Hence, even the diabetic patients can savour the fruit without any fear of high sugar levels.

The fruit contains a high amount of Potassium which is essential for the balance of Sodium levels in the body which in turn maintains the blood pressure.

Jackfruits also play a vital role in increasing our immunity as they contain an enormous amount of vitamin C. Thus, Jackfruit proves to be a bundle of natural medicines to cure and prevent many of the prevailing diseases.