Short Answer: Jackfruit is good for diabetes in moderation. Because it has natural sugars, protein, fiber, and antioxidants, and they can help control blood sugar levels, boost energy and immunity, and prevent inflammation and oxidative stress.
Diabetes is a condition that affects your pancreas, which is an organ that produces insulin.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells use glucose, which is a type of sugar that comes from the food you eat.
In diabetes, your body either does not make enough insulin or cannot use it properly.
This causes high blood sugar levels, which can lead to various health problems, such as nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, heart disease, and stroke.
One of the key factors in managing diabetes is diet.
What you consume can affect your blood sugar levels, which can impact your diabetes symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage diabetes, you should consume fiber-rich foods like oats, beans, and vegetables and avoid refined carbohydrate-rich foods like white bread, pasta, and sweets.
Now, jackfruit is a tropical fruit that has a spiky green skin and yellow flesh.
People usually eat the ripe fruit raw or cooked, or use the unripe fruit as a meat substitute in dishes like curries and tacos.
Jackfruit is good for diabetes because it contains natural sugars, protein, fiber, and antioxidants.
However, it is also low in fiber and high in carbs, so it should be eaten in moderation and with caution.
One cup (150 grams) of jackfruit pieces can give you 143 calories, 35 grams of carbs, 3 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, 29% of the Daily Value (DV) of vitamin B6, and 23% of the DV of vitamin C.
Natural sugars can raise your blood sugar levels, but protein and fiber can help slow down the digestion and absorption of glucose, which can prevent blood sugar spikes.
Vitamin B6 and vitamin C are important for energy production and immunity, and can also help prevent inflammation, which is linked to diabetes complications.
Furthermore, jackfruit is rich in flavonoid antioxidants, which are compounds that can protect your cells from oxidative stress and lower your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes.
You can eat half a cup (75 grams) of jackfruit per day safely.
More than that can cause your blood sugar levels to rise too high, which can worsen your diabetes symptoms and increase your risk of complications.
Also, you shouldn’t eat jackfruit if you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or are allergic to it, to prevent fainting, dizziness, or anaphylaxis.
Because jackfruit can lower your blood sugar levels too much or trigger an immune response in your body.
You can buy fresh jackfruit in your local market or can order it online.
Always choose jackfruit that is firm, heavy, and has a sweet smell.
Because these are signs of ripeness and quality.
You can store them in a cool, dry place for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Read Next
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing diabetes effectively.
I always recommend my diabetes patients to follow a diabetes-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.
