The Yaca ( Artocarpus heterophyllus ), also known as the jackfruit tree, jack, jak, jacktree, fenne or jackfruit, is a species of tree from the Moraceae family, native to southwest India and possibly east of the Malaysian peninsula. It is currently cultivated in Antilles and America.
Fruit, regardless of its level of maturity, is commonly used in South and Southeast Asian cuisine. This is a very exotic fruit, both for texture and skin color. When the fruit is still unopened, it emits the scent of pineapple, banana, mango, orange, melon and papaya.
Yaca seeds also have culinary uses, rich in carbohydrates, lipids and protein. They contain lots of minerals, lignans, isoflavones, saponins, and phytonutrients.
When the beans are roasted they are used as an alternative to the aroma of chocolate. Tree wood is used to make musical instruments and also to make furniture.
Index
- 1 What is this used for ??
- 2 nutritional properties
- 3 side effects
- 4 How to prepare it?
- 4.1 Antiasthmatic
- 4.2 Conjunctivitis
- 4.3 Diabetes
- 4.4 Diarrhea
- 4.5 warts
- 5 References
What’s this for ??
– Yaca is known in traditional medicine as antiasthma, antidiarrheal, anthelmintic, in the treatment of conjunctivitis and otitis, and in removing warts ..
– Quickly energizes because of the presence of simple sugars in its composition.
– It helps to prevent degenerative diseases because of the content of vitamins A and C. Besides nutrition, they contain phytochemicals. It acts as an antioxidant that allows the body to eliminate free radicals that cause premature cell aging.
– Its fiber composition contributes to intestinal transit and, therefore, can prevent constipation and colorectal cancer. Increasing bowel movement also increases nutrient absorption.
– High vitamin A content helps maintain and improve vision. This vitamin also prevents night blindness. It supports the maintenance of young and tighter skin.
– Jaca can increase collagen production because of the content of vitamin C. Collagen is the basic protein for skin structure. The combination of vitamin C and protein in jackfruit is very good for removing skin sores.
– Vitamin C in jacan can stimulate the immune system and improve the function of white blood cells to increase the body’s natural defense against infection. A strong immune system is the best prevention against viruses, bacteria and fungi.
– The presence of potassium makes Yaca a very good food to stabilize blood pressure. Its consumption is very helpful for people who face high blood pressure.
– Yaca calcium helps strengthen bones and prevent fractures. Recommended especially for elderly and postmenopausal women.
– Jackfruit contains iron, which can prevent anemia. Red blood cell anemia is a cause of weakness and fatigue. Iron is an element of red blood cells and ensures that oxygen is transported to all cells of the body.
– Jackfruit promotes maintenance of normal heart function. This is possible both because of the potassium and vitamin B6 content, which protect the heart by controlling homocysteine levels.
– With yaca seeds people can make gluten-free flour, like they make in southern India. Yaca seed flour is recommended for celiac patients.
– High blood sugar levels can be caused by lack of manganese. Jackfruit provides these nutrients and, therefore, helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Nutritional properties
Yaca grows on tree trunks, such as cocoa. The fruits of the bread tree ( Artocarpus altilis ) are very similar but grow on branches. Don’t confuse the two pieces, even if they belong to the same family.
Yaca seeds represent 42% of the fruit. It mainly consists of edible beans (80%) and the remaining 20% is wood shells.
100 grams of edible fruit serving provides 95 Kcal, 1.72 grams of protein, 0.64 grams of total fat and 23.25 grams of carbohydrates.
As with all fresh fruit, its main component is water: 73.46 grams percent. The lipid fraction consists of 0.195 g of saturated fatty acids, 0.155 grams of monounsaturated fatty acids and 0.094 grams of polyunsaturated poly. Jackfruit does not contain cholesterol.
Among carbohydrates, total sugar represents 19.08 per hundred grams and dietary fiber 1.5 grams. The mineral content is 24 mg of calcium, 0.23 mg of iron, 29 mg of magnesium, 21 mg of phosphorus, 448 mg of potassium, 2 mg of sodium, and 0.13 mg of zinc.
As for vitamins, 100 grams of edible parts of fresh fruit provide 13.7 mg of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), 0.105 mg of thiamine, 0.055 mg of riboflavin, 0.920 mg of niacin, 0.329 mg of vitamin B6, 0.34 mg of vitamin E, 24 μg folate and 110 International Units (IU) vitamin A.
Side effects
Yaca can cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. Although it helps control blood sugar, it must be used with caution in certain cases. For example, if consumed in excess can increase sugar levels in diabetic patients.
It should not be used by people who are undergoing treatment with oral anticoagulants, or immediately after receiving a tissue transplant. It has been reported that consumption can reduce libido.
How to prepare it?
As food can be used green or cooked, fresh or sweet or salty preparations. This is a common consumption in many tropical regions; regional bread, ice cream, and jam are made. With the shell you can make tepache (Mexican fermented drink).
This is used as a main food companion and can replace rice, vegetables, bananas, and others. Yaca is cooked by baking, roasting, frying or boiling. Yaca preparations for therapeutic purposes mostly use leaves.
Antiastatic
As an antiasthmatic and to treat high blood pressure, infusion is made with tree leaves and cups taken daily.
Conjunctivitis
For conjunctivitis, a decoction is made with leaves and two drops are applied in each eye for three days.
Diabetes
Diabetics can take leaf infusions several times a day.
Diarrhea
To treat diarrhea, the resin obtained from the base of the stem is diluted in one tablespoon of water with salt.
Warts
Macerated root products are used locally for warts.
Reference
- Akinmutini AH Nutritional value of raw and processed jackfruit seeds ( Artocarpus heterophyllus ): Chemical analysis. Journal of Agriculture. 2006; 1 (4) 266-271
- Jackfruit health benefits (sf) Obtained on May 9, 2018, at drhealthbenefits.com
- Herrera Canto EE The yaca ( Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.), A very unique fruit and its traditional uses (2015). Yucatan Scientific Research Center. Retrieved 10 May 2018 from cicy.mx
- Jackfruit (2018). Retrieved 9 May 2018, on Wikipedia.
- Raw jackfruit (2018). Retrieved 9 May 2018, at ndb.nal.usda.gov
- Jackfruit (s) Obtained on May 9, 2018, at webmd.com
- Nine Nutritious Exotic Fruits Worth Visiting (sf) Obtained on May 10, 2018 from healthline.com
- Ocloo FCK, Bansa D., Boatin R., Adom T., Agbemavor WS Physicochemical, functional, and paste characteristics produced from Jackfruits ( Artocarpus heterophyllus ) seeds. Journal of Agriculture and Biology in North America. 2010; 1 (5), 903-908.
- Tulyathana V., Tananuwonga K., Songjinda P., Jaiboonb N. Some Physicochemical Properties of Jackfruit ( Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam) Flour and Seed Flour. ScienceAsia 2002; 28, 37-41
- 25 Extraordinary Benefits and Use of Jackfruit. (2014). Accessed May 9, 2018, at healthbeckon.com Yaca (sf) Accessed May 9, 2018, at tlahui.com
- Zong-Ping Z., Yang X., Chuan Q., Shuang Z., Xiaohong G., Yingying L., Guobin X., Mingfu W., Jie C. Characterization of Antiproliferative Activities Constituents of Artocarpus heterophyllus. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2014.
