Health Benefits Of Breadfruit

Breadfruit is a very popular fruit that originates out of the flowering species. Scientifically known as ‘Artocarpus Altilis’, the breadfruit plant is a member of the ‘mulberry family’, thus making it a variance of mulberry. Native to the Malay Peninsula and the western Pacific Islands, the fruit’s shape, size and feel is unlike any typical fruit, as it looks like bread. The breadfruit is soft and has a yellow, cream colored flesh, which is sweet with a nice fragrant smell. Breadfruit, because of its unique texture and several nutritional values, has become quite popular and is now been grown in many other parts of the world. Breadfruit has been recognized as a nutritionally beneficial fruit by many civilizations and communities, and is also culturally important for many people across the world. A wide range of nutrition and useful calories can be consumed by eating breadfruit. This article provides you with the health and nutrition benefits of eating breadfruit. Also, check out its nutritional value.

Nutritional Value Of Breadfruit

Amount of Breadfruit: 1 small cup

Total Weight of Breadfruit: 100 g

Nutrients	Amount
Basic Components
Protein	1.1 g
Water	70.6 g
Ash	0.9 g
Calories
Total Calories	103
Calories From Carbohydrate	97.5
Calories From Fat	1.9
Calories From Protein	3.6
Carbohydrates
Total Carbohydrate	27.1 g
Dietary Fiber	4.9 g
Sugars	11 g
Fats & Fatty Acids
Total Fat	0.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	0.1 g
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids	18 mg
Total Omega-6 Fatty Acids	48 mg
Vitamins
Vitamin C	29.0 mg
Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol)	0.1 mg
Vitamin K	0.5 mcg
Thiamin	0.1 mg
Niacin	0.9 mg
Vitamin B6	0.1 mg
Folate	14.0 mcg
Pantothenic Acid	0.5 mg
Choline	9.8 mg
Minerals
Calcium	17.0 mg
Iron	0.5 mg
Magnesium	25.0 mg
Phosphorus	30.0 mg
Potassium	490 mg
Sodium	2.0 mg
Zinc	0.1 mg
Copper	0.1 mg
Manganese	0.1 mg
Selenium	0.6 mcg

Nutrition Benefits Of Eating Breadfruit

Breadfruit is an energy booster and is high in fiber contents. The fiber content in breadfruit helps in decreasing cholesterol and triglycerides that causes several heart diseases. Consumption of breadfruit lowers the LDL (harmful cholesterol) in the body and elevates HDL (good cholesterol) count, protecting you from the risk of heart attacks.
The fiber content in breadfruit provides a relief to the people suffering from diabetes. Research proves that the fiber content in the fruit can control diabetes, by reducing the absorption of glucose by the body, from the food we eat.
Breadfruit even helps in the proper functioning of our intestine and bowel. The fiber present in breadfruit regulates bowel movements and clears the buildup of junk in our intestine. Consumption of breadfruit on a daily basis can even help in reducing the risk of colon cancer.
A breadfruit contains a good amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids are very important and help the body and mind to develop normally. These fatty acids also hasten and stimulate skin and hair growth, regulate our metabolism, promote reproduction and stimulate bone growth and health.
Breadfruit is considered to be a potential item for chick feed also. However, it produces less weight gain than cassava or maize despite higher intake, and can even cause delayed maturity.
Breadfruit contains vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, iron and phosphorous. All these minerals and vitamins provide essential nutrients to the body.
Breadfruit is also used in the flour form that is richer than wheat flour in lysine and other essential amino acids and is useful for the growth and development of the body.

Cooking Tips

Breadfruit is ground to flour in many parts of Barbados and Brazil to substitute wheat in bread making. The bread made from breadfruit flour has been found to be more nutritious than the wheat flour.
In Jamaica, the breadfruit flour is boiled, sweetened and consumed as porridge for breakfast.
Breadfruit is one of the best ingredients for making chips in its soft form. The chips out of breadfruit have been commercially manufactured in Trinidad and Barbados.
The seeds of breadfruit can be boiled, steamed, roasted over fire and consumed with salt. In West America, they are made into a puree at times.
The flower spikes of breadfruit can be boiled, peeled and consumed as a vegetable, or are candied by re-cooking for few hours in a syrup and then rolled in powdered sugar and sun-dried.

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