According to the National Cancer Institute, over 1.17 million people had colorectal cancer in the United States in 2013. A complicated type of cancer, it is difficult to treat and can develop many other types of complications.
There is a natural way to fight and improve colon cancer. Jackfruit, something of a delicacy fruit, grows widely in the tropical parts of the world. in South East Asia it is also used for making recipes.
But it is also a powerful anti-cancer food. In this article you will learn how it can prevent and fight this type of cancer.
COLON CANCER PREVENTION
The health benefits of jackfruit are still underway. It is packed with isoflavones, phytonutrients, lignans and saponins. All these nutrients have very powerful anti-cancer benefits.
These nutrients in jackfruit can help prevent the harmful free radicals that have been known to develop cancer and many other chronic diseases.
PHYTONUTRIENTS
The phytonutrients prevent the very initial stage of cancer cell formation. If you already have stomach ulcers, jackfruit can help in fighting them and improving the condition.
The unique thing about phytonutrients is that they can be sourced only from plants-based foods. Researchers have identified tens of thousands of phytonutrients and all of them provide lots of health benefits.
Researchers are still conducting studies worldwide in order to learn how these 3 phytonutrients help in preventing and fighting cancer.
SAPONINS
These are also potent anti-cancer agents. According to a study (Journal of Nutrition 1995), saponins show colon cancer preventative properties.
There is one more study where these phytonutrients have been found to induce mitotic arrest in the case of leukemia cells. The study also found that it helped in some cases to cause remission.
Saponins were found to react to the outer layers of cancer cells. They bound the cells and prevented their further growth.
LIGNANS & ISOFLAVONES
Both these nutrients are phytoestrogens. These phytonutrients bind to the receptors the estrogens do.
According to studies, these nutrients help in reducing the risk of endometrial cancer. One such study was published by the National Cancer Institute in its journal in 2006.
This study covered 500 women who were chosen on a random basis. The group that took the highest levels of isoflavones and lignans from jackfruit and other fruits were found to reduce their cancer rates compared to the control group.
PROTECTION OF CELLULAR DNA
The antioxidants in jackfruit help in protecting your cellular DNA against direct damage from free oxygen radicals. It also helps in preventing induced mutations.
The anti-cancer properties of jackfruit don’t just stop there.
It is rich in fiber. It also has a unique sticky form. Both these properties combine together to work as a great colon cleanser. It helps in removing toxins from your digestive tract. This further helps in reducing the risk of colon cancer.
STRENGTHENS IMMUNE SYSTEM
Jackfruits are packed with not just vitamin C, but also simple sugars which are considered to help strengthen your immunity.
According to a study conducted on mice, involving the analysis of the immune-boosting properties of the sugars present in jackfruit pulp, the researchers found that jackfruit has polysaccharides that helped in improving phagocytic cell function. These are cells in the immune system.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF JACKFRUIT
If you want to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and improve your digestive system, you should start adding this fruit to your diet. There are many more reasons why you should eat more jackfruit:
- 1 cup of the fruit has 155 calories with only 4 calories from fat.
- The fruit has very low amount of saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium.
- It is packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, niacin, folate, thiamine, and riboflavin.
- Jackfruit has so many crucial minerals including potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, calcium, zinc, selenium, copper, and phosphorus.
- It has simple sugars which are great for your health.
- A cup of jackfruit can supply you over 11% of you daily fiber allowance. But you can never stop yourself at just a cup of this delicious, pulpy fruit.
Jackfruit has also been used in Chinese medicine for eliminating the effects of alcohol. So you have one more reason to eat more of it.