Latin Artocarpus alilis is the Latin name for breadfruit. It’s a tropical fruit that looks a lot like jackfruit. Breadfruit’s white flesh is sweet and soft.
Breadfruit is not only a food ingredient but also has the potential to treat and prevent certain diseases. But, has breadfruit’s effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of diseases been proven? Let’s take a look at the topic.
Breadfruit is a popular snack because of its versatility. You can make breadfruit into a variety of snacks, including chips, compote and steamed.
Breadfruit Nutritional InformationBreadfruit is a high-nutrition food. Here are some of the nutrients found in breadfruit.
- Complex carbohydrates.
- Protein.
- Fiber.
- Water.
- Minerals such as potassium and iron, calcium, magnesium (Zinc), and phosphorus.
- Vitamins such as vitamin B and vitamin C, vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate and vitamin E.
Breadfruit is a carbohydrate source food that has higher amounts of vitamins and minerals than potatoes and rice, but it also has a lower calorific content. Breadfruit is suitable for diet.
Breadfruit is also high in antioxidants due to its high content of flavonoids and polyphenols.
Breadfruit’s Health Benefits
Breadfruit is not only rich in nutrients but also the leaves, stems, and roots can be used. Breadfruit has many health benefits due to its high levels of nutrients.
1. Stop the growth of cancer cells
Breadfruit’s antioxidants and nutritional content have been shown to prevent the growth of cancer cells. This support the claim that breadfruit can be used to treat and prevent cancer. This is despite the fact that more clinical trials are needed to confirm it.
2. Lower blood pressure
Research in the laboratory has shown that breadfruit leaf extract can lower blood pressure. This research has only been done on animals and the benefits of breadfruit for high blood pressure treatment in humans is still unknown.
3. Reducing inflammation
Research has shown that breadfruit’s antioxidant content can decrease the activity of cells involved in inflammation. Studies have also shown breadfruit leaf extract to be effective in reducing inflammation-related swelling. This is yet to be tested in animals.
4. Blood sugar reduction
A study done on animals has shown that breadfruit and breadfruit leaf extract can lower blood sugar levels. This prevents them from becoming stable. These results suggest breadfruit could be a potential treatment for diabetics.
The benefits of breadfruit for treating diabetes have yet to be proven. These claims need to be confirmed by further research.
5. Protect heart health
According to laboratory research, breadfruit juice can help prevent heart disease. This is believed to be due to the antioxidants in breadfruit, which can prevent blockages and atherosclerosis from forming in the heart blood vessels. It also reduces cholesterol and lowers blood pressure.
To meet your nutritional requirements, there is nothing wrong in including breadfruit into your daily diet. But, don’t eat it too often.
Consuming too much breadfruit can increase your risk of hypotension (low bloodpressure) and bleeding, especially if you are on antihypertensive medication. There have been no studies that show breadfruit supplements are safe for pregnant or lactating women.
It has been extensively researched but it is not clinically proven that breadfruit can be beneficial in treating certain diseases. Breadfruit should not be used as a replacement for prescribed medicines. If you wish to add breadfruit to your treatment, consult your doctor first.