Not only is jackfruit able to boast about being the world’s largest tree fruit, it’s also got some of the best health benefits! While we admit it’s probably not the most popular fruit in the grocery store, but it should be. This tasty superfood is high in magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and lots of antioxidants making it low-carb and all kinds of healthy delicious. Native to South India, it’s not as common in the U.S. as it is in other places around the world, it’s a popular food choice for vegans and vegetarians because its texture makes it great for shredding, and is often used as a substitute for meat. While it’s sweet and fruity in flavor, it’s appearance is quite unusual. It’s covered in a spiky skin that is either green or yellow. You can eat it on its own, add it to a soup or salad, and even find it roasted or dried. Yum!
To make things nice and easy for you, we’ve compiled a list of all the incredible health benefits of jackfruit, including these 12…
1. Help Manage Blood Sugar Levels
People who are prone to high blood sugar levels need to be wary about what they eat, but luckily jackfruit has a low glycemic index (GI), which basically means it won’t raise blood sugar after it’s eaten. The reason jackfruit has such a low GI is because it’s packed with fiber. The fiber content “slow digestion and helps prevent blood sugar spikes,” writes Healthline. “Diets that include lots of low-GI foods have been shown to be helpful for promoting blood sugar control.”
In addition to its fiber content, jackfruit contains protein which has also been shown to help control blood sugar. Healthline cites a study which found that adults who consumed jackfruit extract showed improved blood sugar levels and another study of diabetic mice found that “jackfruit leaf extract helped reduce fasting blood sugar levels and provided long-term blood sugar control.”
