Jackfruit is usually found in tropical regions and it is considered as one of the largest fruits in the world. The smell of this fruit is musky but the taste is really delicious and sweet. The seeds of this fruit are also edible and taste like a combination of boiled taro and potato. But aside from being edible, the health benefits of jackfruit seeds is seemingly incredible. So let’s try to figure it out here.
Jackfruit Seed: What is it?
Jackfruit is scientifically known as Artocarpus heterophyllus and is included in Moraceae family. Many people call this plant in different names such as jaca, nangka/langka, khanun, knor mak mi/ may mi and mit. This fruit grows from 30-70 ft. or (9 to 21 m) and it has an alternate, evergreen, somewhat leathery and glossy leaves that measures 9 inches long, it is sometimes oblong on young shoots but oval on mature wood.
Moreover, jackfruit has sticky white latex that is present all over its parts. It has a short plucky flowering twig that is found on the large branches and trunk. The fruit has both male and female reproductive organ which means that it has a male flower in an oblong cluster measuring 2 to 4 inches and a female flower with rounded or epileptic orientation.
As mentioned a while ago, this is considered as the largest among tree-borne fruits measuring 8 inches to 3 feet long and ranges from 6 to 20 inches wide. Additionally, this large fruit has a weight of 10-60 and can possibly weigh up to 110 pounds. Moreover, the outer skin of this fruit is characterized by green color (young) or yellow color (ripe) and it is composed of many hard cones shaped points attach to its thick and tough whitish or pale yellow wall.
On the other hand, the interior part of the fruit consists of large bulbs of yellow, banana-like flavored flesh, merged among narrow ribbons of slim, tough non-reproductive part of the flower and connected in the hard central flesh. Each smooth, light-brown and oval shaped seed covered in a thin white skin is engulfed in every bulb. Furthermore, the jackfruit seed also has a length of ¾-1 ½ inches and has a thickness of 1/2-3/4 inches which is crisp and white within. In addition, a single fruit of jackfruit tree may contain at least a hundred or up to 500 seeds. Moreover, the fully ripe jackfruit when unopened emits a strong musky odor resembling a decaying onion but the pulp of the opened one smells just like banana and pineapple.
Nutritional Facts of Jackfruit Seeds
Here are the nutritional values found in jackfruit seeds:
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
| Calories | 140 |
| Total Carbs | 0 grams |
| Total Fat | 36 grams |
| Cholesterol | 0 milligram |
| Sodium | 12 milligrams |
| Potassium | 400 milligrams |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 grams |
| Sugars | 0 gram |
| Protein | 5 grams |
The percent daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Hence your daily diet may vary depending on your calorie needs
Health Benefits of Jackfruit Seeds
Jackfruit seeds really contain a lot of promising health benefits and aside from the aforementioned nutrition values it also contains thiamin and riboflavin as well as minerals like iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Listed below are some of the health benefits of jackfruit seeds:
Helping agent to build muscles
The proteins found in jackfruit seeds are free from cholesterol thus it helps to build and repair muscles. Furthermore, the body really needs a great amount of protein as it is the main building blocks of muscles, bones, blood, skin, and cartilage.
Good Digestion
The powdered seeds of jackfruit are popular to give quick relief from indigestion. It is also good to consume jackfruit seeds even though it is not in the powder form as it contains dietary fiber that prevents constipation.
Promotes younger looking skin
A finely ground seed of jackfruit mixed with milk will surely avoid signs of aging like wrinkles. Just apply the paste regularly and you will have younger looking skin. This is actually one of the best health benefits of jackfruit seeds for the overall health.
Prevents the risk of anemia
Jackfruit seeds are abundant with iron that’s the reason why it helps to alleviate the risk of anemia. Iron is a component of hemoglobin. Furthermore, some also say that a rich in the iron diet helps in preventing blood disorders. As a matter of fact, eating jackfruit seeds can give an enormous iron boost . Which will likely contribute to the sustenance of a healthy heart and brain.
Maintains good eyesight and healthy hair
Jackfruit seeds are great for maintaining good eyesight as it contains Vitamin A. These seeds also provide strength to the hair in order to avoid brittleness.
Curing agent for mental stress and skin diseases
Jackfruit seeds are famous because it has a high level of proteins and other macronutrients which helps in the treatment of various skin diseases and management of mental stress levels. It also moisturizes the skin and it keeps the hair healthy and beautiful.
