How Are Jackfruit Seeds Good For You?
The proteins and other vital micronutrients in the seeds are known to keep skin diseases at bay. And the iron the seeds contain boosts blood health and even treats anemia – which is one major concern, especially for women. What Are Its Benefits? They may help combat anemia, boost vision, improve digestion, and promote skin and hair health. Who Can Consume It? Anyone who is not allergic to jackfruit seeds can consume them. How Often? You can have a small serving of these seeds daily. Caution Avoid eating raw jackfruit seeds, as they might hinder nutrient absorption and interact with certain medications.
The seeds, which taste like potatoes when boiled, are also good for the eyes. But we are not going to tell everything here. There’s more to know as you keep going. So, just read on.
What Are The Benefits Of Jackfruit Seeds?
1. Jackfruit Seeds Combat Anemia
The seeds are rich in iron, which is an important component of hemoglobin. Adequate iron levels can treat anemia and prevent several blood disorders. Iron combats weakness as well, which is another bothersome symptom of anemia. Iron also increases the production of red blood cells, which, in turn, boost immunity and keep diseases at bay.
2. Improve Digestive Health
Traditional medicine suggests that powdered jackfruit seeds can treat constipation and other digestive issues. The seeds are also rich sources of dietary fiber, which makes them all the more important for digestive health. Some sources say that jackfruit seeds can also be used to treat diarrhea. However, we need more research on this. Hence, talk to your doctor before using the seeds as a digestive aid.
3. Boost Vision
The seeds contain vitamin A, a nutrient known to boost vision health. Deficiency of vitamin A can cause night blindness. The seeds might also prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.
4. Might Reduce Risk Of Blood Clots
Though we need more research on this, according to some sources, the manganese in jackfruit seeds can regularize blood clotting.
5. Enhance Sexual Pleasure
Certain sources state that the iron in the seeds can stimulate sexual pleasure. In fact, jackfruit seeds have been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat sexual disorders. The seeds can be roasted like chestnuts and are considered an aphrodisiac by some experts.
6. Jackfruit Seeds Help Build Muscles
The proteins in the seeds can help in building muscles. But we don’t know if they can be a replacement for your regular protein sources. You can, however, supplement your protein intake by adding jackfruit seeds to your diet.
7. Fight Wrinkles
The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in jackfruit can fight the free radicals that cause premature aging, thereby reducing wrinkles. You need to grind a jackfruit seed in cold milk until you get a paste. Apply this paste to your face regularly – once or twice a day.
8. Make Your Skin Glow
You can soak the seeds in some milk and honey for this purpose. Grind the ingredients until you get a paste. Apply it evenly to your face. Leave it on and allow the paste to dry completely. Wash off with lukewarm water.
9. Enhance Hair Growth
This is where vitamin A comes into the picture, again. It prevents brittle hair. The rich proteins and nutrition in the seeds also promote hair health. The iron in the seeds enhances blood circulation to the scalp, and this is another way they contribute to healthy hair. More interestingly, the seeds also help ease mental stress as they are rich in proteins and other micronutrients. This can curb hair fall – as stress is another cause of weak hair. Apart from the above-mentioned benefits, anecdotal evidence suggests that the dietary fiber and vitamin content present in them may support heart health and control cholesterol. We have seen the benefits of jackfruit and have already answered the question: What is jackfruit good for? But as hard as it might seem to believe, they contain some essential nutrients we have been simply ignoring all along. And that is what we get to now.
What Is The Nutritional Profile Of Jackfruit Seeds?
A 100-gram serving of jackfruit seeds (or 3.5 ounces) offers about 185 calories. It also contains 7 grams of protein, 38 grams of carbs, and 1.5 grams of fiber. And jackfruit seeds contain less than 1 gram of fat. The seeds are also good sources of thiamine and riboflavin. They also contain trace amounts of zinc, iron, potassium, copper, and manganese. Other important nutrients in the seeds include phytochemicals, like saponins. The jackfruit nutrition profile is pretty much the same, irrespective of the seeds being boiled or roasted. All of this gets us to one question – how can you eat jackfruit seeds?
How To Eat Jackfruit Seeds
Or how to cook jackfruit seeds – to put it in a better way. There are four ways you can do it:
Cover the jackfruit seeds with water in a large pot. Ensure there is an inch of water above the seeds. Bring the water and seeds to a boil, and then reduce to a rolling simmer for about 30 minutes. Drain the pot and spread the seeds on a baking sheet to cool. Peel the outer white layer, and you can enjoy the seeds.
Preheat the oven to 400o F. Spread the seeds on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes and let them cool. Once they are cool enough to touch, peel off the outer white layer.
Add the seeds to a dry cast iron skillet. Roast them over medium-high heat and shake the pan occasionally. Do this until the skin is blistered or cracked. Let them cool and peel off the outer white layer.
Roast the seeds in a dry pan over medium-high heat. Let the seeds cool, and then peel off the outer skin. Add them to your favorite smoothie recipe. Just blend them with your other ingredients until they are smooth and well incorporated.
There is another cool way to consume jackfruit seeds – use them in a recipe.
Any Jackfruit Recipe To Try?
Yes. Try this roasted garlic jackfruit seed hummus recipe.
2 cups of jackfruit seeds and water (to boil) 4 cloves of garlic 6 tablespoons of low-sodium broth 2 tablespoons of non-dairy milk Juice of half a lemon 2 tablespoons of organic raw tahini Dehydrated celery powder and fresh black pepper, for taste Paprika, for garnishing
Sia, a blogger, shared the recipe for pickled jackfruit rotti in her blog. She wrote, “One favourite fruit of mine is Jackfruit. My mom pickles them in a simple brine (rock salt + boiled and cooled water) when they are raw. These Brined Raw Jackfruits are used in making simple Palya, Bolu Kodhel, and also in making delicious Brined or Pickled Raw Jackfruit Rotti! (i).” She then proceeds with the recipe and shares, “It is simple, gluten-free, vegan-friendly, rustic, and absolute delight to eat!” It also is important to learn about a few other ways jackfruit seeds can potentially cause harm. Check out the next section.
Side Effects Of Jackfruit Seeds
While there are not many side effects associated with the consumption of jackfruit seeds, people who take medications that increase the risk of bleeding should be cautious (2). Jackfruit seed extracts may thin the blood and prevent coagulation. This may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with aspirin, antiplatelet drugs, blood thinners, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Also, be cautious with the consumption of jackfruit seeds if you are allergic to jackfruit or birch pollen. Consult your doctor to determine the safest way to consume them. Are jackfruit seeds good for those with diabetes? Yes. Jackfruit seeds can help lower blood glucose levels and are used to treat diabetes (3). Do jackfruit seeds cause gas? Yes. Excess intake of jackfruit seeds can cause gas. How many jackfruit seeds can you eat? There is no recommended dosage of jackfruit seeds. However, as they contain antinutrients, eat them in moderation to avoid their adverse effects.
Illustration: Wonderful Benefits Of Jackfruit Seeds + A Killer Recipe
Check out this video to learn more about the surprising health benefits of jackfruit seeds. Explore how this versatile seed can positively impact your well-being.
