Jackfruit 101: Nutrition, Benefits, Side Effects, and More (2024)

Jackfruit and Weight Loss

“Incorporating jackfruit certainly does have the potential to help with weight loss,” Gillespie says.

Jackfruit contains 2.5 g of fiber per serving. That’s not an incredibly high amount compared with some other produce — green peas, for instance, have 8.8 g of fiber per cup. But it will help you reach the recommended fiber intake, which the Mayo Clinic lists as 21 to 25 g per day for women and 30 to 38 g per day for men. The majority of Americans do not eat enough fiber, according to research published in 2016.

Fiber is an important nutrient for meeting your weight loss goals because it adds bulk to your diet.“It can help keep you feeling fuller for longer periods of time,thus cutting back on unnecessary snacking and grazing,” Gillespie says.

Plus, eating jackfruit as a substitute for meat will save you calories. “It contains fewer calories than most meats,” Gillespie says. “When used as a meat substitute, it can naturally reduce caloric intake.”

A 150 g serving of jackfruit has 157 calories (before any sauces are added), compared with 375 calories in 150 g of pulled pork.Skipping meat in favor of a plant-based diet has been shown to lead to weight loss. A systematic review published in 2020 found that a plant-based diet helped overweight individuals lose weight, which may have been because they ate more foods with fiber and plant proteins and fewer foods containing saturated fats and animal proteins.

“That said, jackfruit does contain a higher amount of calories per serving than other fruits and is composed mainly of carbohydrates,so itis important to monitor serving sizes so as not to overdo it,” Gillespie says.

Jackfruit 101: Nutrition, Benefits, Side Effects, and More (2024)

FAQs

Jackfruit 101: Nutrition, Benefits, Side Effects, and More? ›

Jackfruit leaves and roots contain chemicals that might help control blood sugar increases after eating. Its fruit is a source of vitamin A, fiber, and protein. People use jackfruit for diabetes, wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

What are the side effects of jackfruit? ›

Diabetes: Jackfruit might lower blood sugar levels. There is a concern that it might affect blood sugar control in people with diabetes. The dose of diabetes medication might need to be changed. Surgery: Jackfruit might cause too much drowsiness if combined with medications used during and after surgery.

What to avoid when eating jackfruit? ›

You should avoid drinking water after the consumption of jackfruit as it can lead to diarrhoea. Jackfruit is a high water content fruit that smoothes out bowel movements. So, if you drink water after eating jackfruit, it can lead to even smoother bowel movements and cause diarrhoea.

Is jackfruit good for high blood pressure? ›

The potassium in this tropical fruit could help lower your blood pressure, which can help protect against heart disease and stroke. And, the fiber content of jackfruit can help lower your cholesterol.

What does jackfruit help your body? ›

Beneficial Effects of Jackfruit on Human Health. “Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam) is a rich source of several high-value compounds with potential beneficial physiological activities” [64]. It is well known for its antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities [65].

Is it not allowed to drink water after eating jackfruit? ›

The idea of not drinking water after eating jackfruit is rooted in Ayurvedic beliefs. However, there is no scientific evidence that drinking water right after eating jackfruit, or any food, is harmful. In fact, it can aid digestion and hydrate the body.

Is jackfruit high in sugar? ›

Jackfruit is rich in carbohydrates, which are high in natural sugars. Those are bad for diabetic patients in large doses. Still, jackfruit is also less in calories and has a moderate glycemic index. It includes insoluble fibre and some protein, hampers digestion, and keeps blood sugar stable.

Why do I feel sick after eating jackfruit? ›

Avoid eating jackfruits if you have latex or birch pollen allergies. These allergies can have cross-reactions with Jackfruit. The high potassium content of Jackfruit can be harmful to people suffering from chronic kidney diseases or acute kidney failure.

Is jackfruit bad for kidney? ›

Jackfruit also has a lot of potassium, which can be harmful to people who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney failure. People with these conditions can develop hyperkalemia if they eat high amounts of potassium.

Does jackfruit interact with medication? ›

Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking jackfruit with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.

Is jackfruit a natural Viagra? ›

Jackfruit: (Jaca) Contains Sildenafil in its natural form that is the active ingredient of viagra, so properties are attributed to help in cases of sexual impotence because it helps to dilate blood vessels and increases blood flow. Jackfruit has been called the "natural viagra".

Is jackfruit bad for cholesterol? ›

Jackfruit, particularly the seeds, is a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber can help lower LDL cholesterol levels and slow the absorption of carbohydrates into the bloodstream, which can help prevent spikes in blood glucose after eating.

Is it safe to eat jackfruit everyday? ›

Jackfruit is very good for you for many reasons. It is high in nutrients and antioxidants and may have a number of health benefits, including improved blood sugar control. You can easily incorporate jackfruit into your diet by eating it plain or in various dishes.

Why does jackfruit make you sleepy? ›

In general, jackfruit contains a good amount of magnesium that regulates neurotransmitters in the body and provides quality sleep. However, avoid consuming jackfruit along with sedative medication to prevent excessive sleepiness.

Does jackfruit burn belly fat? ›

Jackfruit contains a negligible amount of fat. The low-fat content in jackfruit is one of the reasons it can aid in weight loss. Fat is a high-calorie macronutrient, meaning every serving offers more calories. Therefore, consuming high amounts of fat can lead to weight gain as the excess calories are stored as fat.

What happens after eating jackfruit? ›

Jackfruit is an additional source of vitamin C, vitamin A increases the body's resistance, powerful antioxidant, helps maintain enough moisture to make the skin ruddy and limit wrinkles. Jackfruit only makes you gain weight only if you eat too much.

Does jackfruit have a laxative effect? ›

Jackfruit is a rich source of fiber. This dietary fiber offers significant amount of roughage, i.e., about 1.5 grams of roughage per 100 grams serving. This roughage acts as a natural laxative for preventing constipation and improving digestion.

Why is jackfruit hard to digest? ›

Because of the high fiber content Jackfruit is difficult to digest. Eat small portions. Secondly it has a large content of natural sugar and this will elevate your sugar in the blood and make you feel restless. Some people are allergic to jackfruit and should avoid it completely.

What are the disadvantages jackfruit seeds? ›

The most common side effects related to jackfruit seed are: The seed of jackfruit contains a protein named jacalin (a lectin), which has anti-nutritional properties. The jacalin may damage the inner lining of the digestive tract causing interference in the absorption of nutrients.

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