Jackfruit is the largest tree fruit in the world, weighing up to 80 pounds.
Jackfruit provides fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like other plant-based foods.
It also has someprotein.

Sergio Mendoza Hochmann / Getty Images
It also has numerous potential health benefits, thanks to its nutrition profile and compounds.
Rich in Nutrients
Jackfruit offers a wide array of nutrients.
It contains high vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and B6 levels.
Vitamin C is anantioxidant, helping protect your cells from damage and oxidative stress that can promote disease.
Vitamin C also supports immune function and the production of collagen, the main structural protein in your body.
Vitamin B6 helps support metabolism and brain health.
Supports Digestive Health
Jackfruit is a rich source ofdietary fiber, which is crucial for digestion.
Surveys have found that only 5% of American adults consume the minimum recommended daily amount of fiber.
Therefore, nearly everyone could benefit from eating jackfruit and other fibrous foods.
Fiber adds bulk to stools, helping to move stool through the digestive tract and prevent constipation.
Consuming vitamin C-rich foods like jackfruit may help provide a natural boost to your body’s defenses.
Fiber promotes feelings of fullness and satiety, which can help control appetite and minimize overeating.
This can help prevent unintentional weight loss and benefit those looking to lose weight.
In addition, antioxidant compounds in jackfruit help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, further supporting cardiovascular function.
Jackfruit may be best known as a plant-based substitute for meat.
It’s often used in curries, stews, tacos, and sandwiches.
For example, soft shredded jackfruit can be marinated to make a convincing pulled-pork suitable for avegan diet.
Jackfruit seeds, which are found in the flesh, are also edible.
People in some countries even puree jackfruit to make vegan ice cream.
Who Shouldnt Eat Jackfruit?
Jackfruit offers numerous health benefits for most people.
Still, some people may want to avoid it.
Jackfruit also comes in “soft” and “hard” types, which have their own sweetness levels.
Jackfruit grows on large evergreen trees that are in the same family as figs and mulberries.
These trees thrive in tropical areas of the world.
The largest producers of jackfruit include countries like India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
In India and Thailand, jackfruit is usually harvested in the summer.
Summary
Jackfruit is aunique fruitand has gained popularity in the United States within the last decade.
It’s best known for its diversity as a plant-based substitute for meat.
Jackfruit is a nutritious and versatile food.
Ranasinghe RASN, Maduwanthi SDT, Marapana RAUJ.Nutritional and health benefits of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllusLam.
): a review.Int J Food Sci.
2019;2019:4327183. doi:10.1155/2019/4327183
FoodData Central.Jackfruit, raw.
Abdullah M, Jamil RT, Attia FN.Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
2020;9(12):e015719.
doi:10.1161/JAHA.119.015719
Stach K, Stach W, Augoff K.Vitamin B6 in health and disease.Nutrients.
2022;10(12):2507. doi:10.3390/microorganisms10122507
Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management.
London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); 2023 Nov 21.
(NICE Guideline, No.
2019;149(10):1742-1748. doi:10.1093/jn/nxz117
Soliman GA.Dietary fiber, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease.Nutrients.
in health and disease: a critical review.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.