Jackfruit

The jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus or A. heterophylla) is a species of tree in the mulberry family (Moraceae), which is native to parts ofSouthern and Southeast Asia. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh. Jackfruit is also found in East Africa e.g. in Uganda, as well as Northeastern Brazil.

It is well suited to tropical lowlands. Its fruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, reaching 80 pounds (36 kg) in weight and up to 36 inches (90 cm) long and 20 inches (50 cm) in diameter.

The name “Jack fruit” is derived from the Portuguese Jaca,which in turn, is derived from the Malayalam language term, Chakka. ThePortuguese first arrived in India at Kozhikode (Calicut) on the Malabar Coast (Kerala) in 1498. The Malayalam name Chakka was recorded byHendrik van Rheede (1678–1703) in the Hortus Malabaricus, vol. iii in Latin. Henry Yule translated the book in Jordanus Catalani’s (1678–1703)Mirabilia Descripta: The Wonders of the East.

The fruit is called a variety of names around the world. The common English name jackfruit is a name used by the physician and naturalist Garcia de Orta in his 1563 book Colóquios dos simples e drogas da India. A botanist, Ralph Randles Stewart suggests that it was named after William Jack (1795–1822), a Scottish botanist who worked for the East India Company in Bengal, Sumatra and Malaysia. This is unlikely, as the fruit was called a “Jack” in English before William Jack was born: for instance, in Dampier’s 1699 book, A new voyage round the world.

Health Benefits of Jackfruit

• An excellent energy food with only a small amount of fat.
• May help prevent and treat tension and nervousness.
• Helps in obesity.
• Helps prevent constipation.
• It is also known to help cure ulcers and indigestion.
• Helps to lower blood pressure because of its high potassium content.
• Jackfruit is rich in phytonutrients that can fight cancer and slow down degeneration of cells that can lead to degenerative diseases.
• Jackfruit is a good source of Vitamin C. The human body does not make vitamin C naturally so we must eat foods that contain it.
• The jackfruit root is a remedy for skin diseases and asthma. An extract of the root is taken in cases of fever and diarrhea.
• Jackfruit provides a good supply of proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins.
• Being rich in potassium, jackfruit has been found to be helpful in the lowering of blood pressure.
• The extract of Jackfruit root is believed to help cure fever as well as diarrhea.
• Jackfruit contains phytonutrients, with health benefits ranging from anti-cancer to antihypertensive.
• The root of this fruit has been found to be beneficial for those suffering from asthma.
• Jackfruit proves to be a very good source of vitamin C, which is known for its high antioxidant properties.
• The fruit contains isoflavones, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, all of which are credited for their cancer-fighting properties.
• Jackfruit is known to contain anti-ulcer properties and is also good for those suffering from indigestion.
• Boasting of anti-ageing properties, the fruit can help slow down the degeneration of cells and make the skin look young and supple.
• Jackfruit serves as a good supply of proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins, for the human body.
• It is believed that the fruit can help prevent and treat tension and nervousness.
• Since it contains few calories and a very small amount of fat, jackfruit is good for those trying to lose weight.
• If you are suffering from constipation, regular consumption of the fruit will surely prove beneficial.
• The root of jackfruit is said to be good for the treatment of a number of skin problems.