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Breadfruit is a superfood with incredible potential. This tropical fruit is so nourishing, nutritious, and simple to grow. A single breadfruit tree can feed a family of four for 50 years, and it can be cultivated in many parts of the world where hunger is an issue according to global breadfruit. This fruit is growing in importance and popularity.
Breadfruit provides a bountiful crop with one tree yielding 450 pounds of fruit in one season, according to Dr. Axe. Although it may look like a fruit, it actually tastes like freshly baked bread! The unripe fruit can be stewed, baked, fried, or broiled. Ripe fruit can be eaten raw and tastes like custard apple. Breadfruit can also be dried and ground into a nutritious gluten-free flour.
One cup of breadfruit offers many vitamins, minerals, and health benefits; it has over 100 percent of the daily value of vitamin C, half of fiber, 31 percent of potassium, and 16 percent of thiamine. Breadfruit also contains magnesium, B6, niacin, copper, and folate. The next time you head to the market, look for this superfood. Here are five ways breadfruit may enhance your family’s health.
Immunity boosting properties
Since breadfruit contains anti-inflammatory bioflavonoids, eating it may help reduce the risk of disease, according to Health Beckon. The thiamine it contains offers immune-boosting properties as it tones the muscle along the digestive tract where the most of your immune system resides.
May help control diabetes
As this fiber-rich food inhibits the absorption of glucose in the blood, it may help in controlling diabetes. A study in Trends in Food Science & Technology suggests that eating breadfruit may offer potential to reduce type 2 diabetes in tropical areas like Oceania.
Could aid heart health
Breadfruit’s antioxidant properties may be good for heart health. The potassium in breadfruit may help in reducing blood pressure, according to Health Beckon. As it reduces the effects of sodium, it could also encourage a regular heart beat.
An effective insecticide
Scientists working at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service studied breadfruit flowers, finding that they contain three chemicals that repel flying insects, including mosquitoes. In fact, for years, Hawaiians have been burning dried clusters of breadfruit flowers as a natural repellant. Scientists discovered that breadfruit compounds were more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.
Good for hair care
For a healthy head of hair, eat breadfruit, recommends Health Beckon. The omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in breadfruit may help to condition and strengthen your hair, as well as promote itchy-free dandruff-free hair. The iron in the breadfruit may improve blood circulation in the scalp, which then stimulates growth of the follicles.
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