Eating Jackfruit During Pregnancy – Benefits And Side effects

Jackfruit is a popular fruit, especially in South India. The jackfruit trees are very commonly grown in the south-western ghats, and hence it is more prevalent in states such as Kerala and Karnataka. Now if you are a south Indian, or if you like having jackfruits, then you might be wondering if it is a good idea to have Jackfruit during pregnancy. This is because you need to be very cautious about what you consume when you are pregnant.

Many fruits and vegetables that are otherwise healthy can cause problems during pregnancy. Many believe that consuming jackfruit during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage. Is this true? Should you be consuming jackfruit during pregnancy? Read on to know more things about it.

Can I Eat Jackfruit During Pregnancy?

Yes,  Jackfruit during pregnancy is considered safe for consumption in moderation. Jackfruit is a nutritious fruit that can be a healthy addition to your diet, but it’s important to avoid unripe jackfruit. and consult with your healthcare provider before including Jackfruit in your pregnancy diet.

Nutritional Values Present in Jackfruit

Jackfruit is very nutritious. It has a moderate amount of calories present in it. One cup of jackfruit contains about 155 calories. And barely 5 Calories come from the fat, which makes it quite a healthy option to eat jackfruit during the pregnancy period.

Table: Nutritional Value of Jackfruit (ripe and young fruit) (Per 100 gms)

Composition	Young Fruit	Ripe fruit
Water	76.2-85.2	72.0 -94.0
Protein (g)	2.0 -2.6	1.2 -1.9
Fat (g)	0.1 -0.6	0.1 -0.4
Carbohydrate (g)	9.4-11.5	16.0-25.4
Fiber (g)	2.6-3.6	1.0-1.5
Total sugars (g)	–	20.6
Total minerals (g)	0.9	0.87-0.9
Calcium (mg)	30.0-73.2	20.0-37.0
Magnesium (mg)	–	27.0
Phosphorus (mg)	20.0-57.2	38.0-41.0
Sodium (mg)	3.0-35.3	2.0-41.0
Potassium (mg)	287-323	191-407
Iron (mg)	0.4-1.9	0.5-1.1
Vitamin A (IU)	30	175-540
Thiamine (mg)	0.05-0.15	0.03-0.09
Riboflavin (mg)	0.05-0.2	0.05-0.4
Vitamin C (mg)	12.0-14.0	7.0-14.0
Energy (kJ)	50-210	88-410

[Read : Pear During Pregnancy]

Benefits of Consuming Jackfruit During Pregnancy?

Do not let all those side effects scare you. As you can see, it will only affect you if you are diabetic, allergic, or have blood disorders. If you do not fall into any of these categories, and you love eating jackfruit, then you might want to think about consuming it in moderation. This is because consuming jackfruit has many benefits too:

1. Rich In Nutrients

Jackfruit is packed with essential nutrients like Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin A ,and dietary fiber that help provide complete nutritional balance during pregnancy.

2. Provides Additional Support To the Immune System

The Vitamin C present in Jackfruit provides necessary support to the pregnant mother fight of infections keeping the fetus safe.

3. Fetal Development

Jackfruits help in healthy fetal development. For instance, it has vitamin A, which will help build strong eyesight for your child. Jackfruits are rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, beta-carotene, zinc, and so on. All these minerals are very important for fetal development.

4. Helps Regulate Blood Pressure

Jackfruits can lower blood pressure. Gestational Hypertension can be a problem during pregnancy, so jackfruits can be a great solution to that.

5. Helps With Digestion

Jackfruit is for the stomach. It is rich in dietary fiber that helps with digestion and relieves constipation during pregnancy.

6. Boosts Energy

Jackfruits can provide a lot of good energy, which can be very good during the lethargic days of pregnancy to fight off pregnancy fatigue.

7. Prevents Anaemia

The iron and Vitamin B6 present in Jackfruit help prevent anaemia in pregnant women.

8. Good For Skin and Hair

The vitamins A, B, and C present in Jackfruit promote hair growth and keep skin supple and glowing during pregnancy.

9. Manage Hormones and Stress

Jackfruits are known to regulate the hormones of pregnant women. This is especially useful since pregnancy is a time when hormones can go haywire. Research has linked jackfruit to anti-stress properties. This means jackfruit can lower your stress levels.

10. Electrolyte Balance

Jackfruit has potassium and sodium, which can help maintain proper fluid balance and support overall health.

[Read: Is It Safe To Have Pineapple During Pregnancy?]

Side Effects Of Jackfruit During Pregnancy

Although jackfruit is beneficial to a pregnant woman, it is not completely safe for consumption during pregnancy. Although eating jackfruit has no reported serious side effects, there are some risks associated with it when pregnant.

1. Allergic Reactions

Some people might be allergic to jackfruit. So, if you have not ever eaten jackfruit before, then pregnancy might not be the right time to start as you do not want to risk getting allergic reactions.

2. Stomach Upset

Even if you are not allergic to jackfruits, it might not be a good idea to consume jackfruit in large proportions. Jackfruit has high fiber content, and this can result in abnormal digestion and loose motions.

3. Blood Disorders

Jackfruits can increase the coagulation of blood. While this is ok under normal circumstances, it can be a problem if you already have blood disorders.

4. Gestational Diabetes

Jackfruit, like many fruits, is high in sugar content. So it can result in sugar level spiking, which is not desirable during pregnancy, especially if you have gestational diabetes.

Things To Know Before Eating Jackfruit During Pregnancy

Contrary to what you might have heard, jackfruit consumption does not lead to miscarriage. Of course, some risk factors are associated with eating jackfruit during the pregnancy period. So you must read the points below carefully.

• Several studies have shown that Jackfruit accelerates blood clotting. Because of this reason, pregnant women with pre-existing blood-related health conditions shouldn’t consume jackfruit.
• Jackfruit can cause a fluctuation in an expectant woman’s blood sugar level. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes are therefore advised to steer clear of it.
• Jack fruit has laxative properties. Excessive consumption of jackfruit during pregnancy is associated with diarrhea and other digestive issues.
• Jackfruit can cause allergies in some women. Those who are allergic to latex and birch pollen are more at risk of jackfruit allergy.

How to Enjoy Jackfruit During Pregnancy?

Jackfruit can be enjoyed both in raw form after cooking or steaming as a vegetable or as a fruit when it is ripe. Ripe jackfruit can be relished by eating its pulp which is yellowish in color and is very sweet and tasty. It also smells nice and as mentioned above has lots of health benefits.

A lot of people enjoy ripe jackfruit slices with grated coconut sprinkled on it, along with banana slices or honey. Jackfruit is also used to prepare jams, jellies, various desserts, fruits salads, etc. However, remember that cutting open a jackfruit involves some level of complexity.

Benefits Of Jackfruit Seeds During Pregnancy

Jackfruit is well known for its vitamin C benefits, but its seeds are also well known for their potassium and iron contents. Furthermore, jackfruit seeds contain several important nutrients including carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. Eating healthy snacks is important during pregnancy. You must eat small and frequent meals during pregnancy, rather than eating three large meals a day. The health benefits of jackfruit seeds during pregnancy make them a healthy snacking option for mothers.

Pregnant women can reap the following benefits from eating jackfruit seeds:

Reduce the Risk of Anemia

Jackfruit seeds are rich in iron, making them excellent for combating anemia. Because pregnant women’s blood volume increases 50% during pregnancy, they’re at risk for anemia. RBCs are essential for optimal fetal development, and anemia could pose a danger during pregnancy.

Beneficial For Digestive Health

It is normal for the digestive system to slow down during pregnancy because of hormonal changes. This can lead to constipation and other digestive problems. Getting enough fiber is really important to enhance digestion, and jackfruit seeds contain a sizable amount of fiber.

An Excellent Energy Booster

Pregnancy requires more energy than usual. The extra energy you get from a healthy diet is extremely valuable. It might be a good idea to snack on Jackfruit seeds to boost energy whenever mothers are feeling under the weather.

Protein-rich

A fetus’s overall development requires a great deal of protein during pregnancy. Jackfruit seeds provide a high amount of protein, helping to meet daily requirements for pregnant women.

Packed With Potassium

Due to its role in regulating blood pressure, potassium is essential during pregnancy. The benefits of potassium will make sure your cardiovascular health is under check. During pregnancy, high blood pressure increases the risk of preeclampsia, which can cause harm to both mother and baby.

How to Select and Store Jackfruit?

If you like to cook jackfruit as a vegetable then always look for jackfruit that is unripe, fresh, heavy, green, and has hard thorn projections with their skin intact. If you are buying it to eat it as fruit, then look for well-ripened jackfruits that are heavy, fresh, yellowish, and have soft thorn projections. Do not pick jackfruits that are infected, light, and have bruises, spots, or wrinkles on them.

Raw jackfruit can be stored at room temperature for a week while the ripe one can be kept outside for a day or two. However, both these types of jackfruit stay for a much longer time when refrigerated. So, in conclusion, there is no need to avoid eating jackfruit during pregnancy as there is no scientific research that links jackfruits to miscarriage.

In fact, as you have seen above, jackfruits can be very beneficial during pregnancy as it provides energy, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However, like all things, jackfruits also should be consumed in moderation. Too much jackfruit can give you an upset tummy and make your sugar levels spike. So do not overeat jackfruit.

Do share with us in the comments section below if you ate jackfruit during pregnancy? Do you know any yummy recipes for jackfruit? Don’t forget to share with us.

[Read: Eating Singhara Fruit During Pregnancy]

FAQ’s

1. Can Jackfruit Cause Miscarriage?

Many believe it does. However, there is no scientific backing for this. So you can consume it in moderation.

2. Can Eating Jackfruit During Pregnancy Affect the Baby?

Jackfruit can cause stomach upset. It can even increase your sugar levels. These can in turn affect the baby.

3. Can I be Allergic to Jackfruit When Pregnant?

Yes, you can. Many people can be allergic to this healthy fruit. Pregnancy can increase allergic reactions.

4. Raw Jackfruit or Fresh Jackfruit During Pregnancy?

Fruits are best eaten fresh. Fresh jackfruit has many nutritional benefits. Cooking unripe jackfruit can reduce sugar intake.

Read Also: 10 Foods To Definitely Avoid During Pregnancy