Jack Fruits Seeds
The seeds are rich in dietary fiber and B-complex vitamins and due to their high fiber content, they help lower the risk of heart disease, prevent constipation and promote weight loss. Jackfruit seeds also contain resistant starch, which controls blood sugar and keeps the gut healthy.
Could have antimicrobial effects
In traditional medicine, jackfruit seeds have sometimes been used to relieve diarrhea.
In fact, studies have shown that jackfruit seeds may have antibacterial effects.
One study found that the surface of jackfruit seeds is covered with small particles that act as antibacterial agents.
It tested these particles against common bacteria and concluded that jackfruit seeds have the potential to be developed into therapeutic agents for preventing food-borne illness.
However, more studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness of jackfruit seeds for these uses.
May have anticancer properties
Some studies suggest that jackfruit seeds may have several anticancer properties. This is believed to be due to their impressive levels of plant compounds and antioxidants.
They are rich in antioxidants, specifically flavonoids, saponins, and phenolics.
Studies have shown that these plant compounds may help fight inflammation, enhance your immune system, and even repair DNA damage.
However, research is limited to test-tube and animal studies. More research is needed to investigate whether jackfruit seeds have anticancer effects in people.
May help with digestion
Similarly to other seeds, jackfruit seeds contain both soluble and insoluble fiber.
Fiber passes through your digestive tract undigested and helps normalize bowel movements by adding bulk to your stools, making them softer and increasing frequency.
What’s more, fiber is considered a prebiotic, which means it helps feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
These beneficial gut bacteria help support healthy digestion and immune function.
Numerous studies have found that increasing fiber intake can help relieve constipation.
Furthermore, fiber may help protect against inflammatory bowel disease and relieve symptoms of hemorrhoids.
May reduce cholesterol levels
Research also suggests that jackfruit seeds may improve your cholesterol levels. This effect is most likely attributed to their high fiber and antioxidant contents.
Elevated levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol are associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, and an increased risk of heart disease.
Contrarily, higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol have been found to have heart-protective effects.
A study in rats found those that ate more jackfruit seeds had reduced levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and increased HDL (good) cholesterol, compared with rats that ate fewer jackfruit seeds.
Research in this area is limited to animal studies, so further studies in humans are needed.
May increase bleeding when taken with certain drugs
Individuals who are taking medications that increase the risk of bleeding should be cautious of consuming jackfruit seeds.
In one study, jackfruit seed extract showed the ability to slow blood clotting and even prevent clots from forming in humans.
Therefore, jackfruit seeds may further increase the risk of bleeding when taken with these drugs. If you’re taking medications that may increase the risk of bleeding, you should avoid consuming jackfruit seeds.
The following medications are known to increase the risk of bleeding:
- aspirin
- blood thinners (anticoagulants)
- antiplatelet drugs
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen or naproxen)
Contain antinutrients
Raw jackfruit seeds contain powerful antinutrients called tannins and trypsin inhibitors. These can interfere with nutrient absorption and digestion.
Tannins are a type of polyphenol that’s commonly found in many plant foods. They can bind to minerals, such as zinc and iron, and form an insoluble mass, reducing your ability to absorb these minerals.
Trypsin inhibitors are a type of protein found in various foods, including soybeans, papaya seeds, and jackfruit seeds. Similarly to tannins, they interfere with the digestion of proteins, making it difficult to digest food.
For these reasons, jackfruit seeds should never be consumed raw.
The good news is that heat inactivates these antinutrients. Therefore, cooking jackfruit seeds by roasting or boiling them will reduce their antinutritional effects.
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