15 Properties of Jackfruit That Lower the Risk of Cancer

11. Mineral – Zinc Zinc is important for the body’s immune system. It supports various cellular activities that are necessary for the body to survive. Zinc… Simi - June 3, 2018

11. Mineral – Zinc

Zinc is important for the body’s immune system. It supports various cellular activities that are necessary for the body to survive. Zinc is a fundamental antioxidant that helps to control the immune system and its responses to attacks. As important as it is, zinc is not prioritized in the diet, and a great number of people have a zinc deficiency. This is mainly due to a poor diet. Sugar, carbohydrate-rich diets prevent the body from absorbing what zinc is ingested.

However, there are those who have non-dietary reasons for a zinc deficiency. For instance, people with the leaky gut syndrome have problems absorbing minerals such as zinc.

The first line of defense in the fight against cancer is the immune system. The immune system is dependent on zinc for its proper functioning. Zinc can decrease the rate at which a tumor grows. It can also stimulate and deploy special cells in the immune system called apoptosis.  These cells are called programmed death cells. A lack of zinc exposes the body to a variety of cancers. Increased levels of zinc have been linked to a reduced number of tumors as well as the decreased severity of tumors.

A study of individuals with the BRCA1 gene which makes them more susceptible to breast cancer revealed that there was a lower risk of developing cancer among those who had higher levels of zinc in their bodies. Studies of bladder cancer patients revealed low zinc levels. Introducing zinc to these patients pointed to the stimulation of the apoptosis, with an anti-cancer effect. Zinc is obtained by eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. The jackfruit should be included in this diet as it contains zinc.

12. Vitamin B – Folate

Folate is a B vitamin that is found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. It is commonly known in its supplement form, namely folic acid. Many foods such as bread are fortified with folic acid. Folate has many important functions in the body.  It is vital for cell repair, DNA manufacture, metabolism of the building blocks of protein (amino acids), and the making of both red and white blood cells.

When we speak about the relationship between folate and cancer, we must do so in the knowledge that there is a fine line in how much folate a person should have in their body and when they should take it. It is believed that both too much and too little folate can increase the risk of cancer. Some research indicates that eating foods rich in folate can protect the body against cancer of the pancreas, esophagus, colon, and rectum.

At one stage, researchers were concerned that because foods were being supplemented with folate and people were taking folic acid in addition to that, there was a chance that consumption would be too high. This would, in turn, expose consumers to the risk of getting cancer. However, having studied folate levels in people and their relation to incidences of cancer, they have satisfied themselves that there is no higher risk of cancer. In fact, they managed to determine that this group of people were at a lower risk of developing melanoma (a form of skin cancer).

The jackfruit contains folate in addition to all the other vital vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients it boasts. Therefore, adding it to your diet will give you a folate boost as well.

13. Vitamin B – Niacin

Niacin is more commonly known as Vitamin B3.  Niacin is an essential water-soluble vitamin. It has the important job of facilitating the process of converting blood sugar into carbohydrate to be stored in the muscles for use later on.  Niacin is also critical to the formation of DNA. Genetic damage can be linked to a lack of niacin. This type of genetic damage can lead to cancer. Therefore, any vitamin that plays a role in DNA replication causes a potential cancer threat if it is not available in the body in sufficient quantities.

Niacin also has a role in supporting the body’s immune system. All vitamins and minerals that impact the immune system must be present in the body so that it can fight off invasions by germs, fungi, bacteria, and free radicals. If the immune system is compromised, the body cannot fight off the threat.

Like most vitamins, niacin is found in a great many foods, mostly in fruits and vegetables. However, the majority of people do not ingest sufficient quantities of niacin through their diet. This is often due to poor diet or malnutrition. As a result, many people take niacin as part of a multivitamin supplement regimen. Some foods are fortified with niacin so that its consumption is increased, which is in the health and wellbeing interests of everyone.

As the jackfruit contains niacin, it is good to have on hand. Consuming it in your diet on its own or including it in a delicious recipe can supplement your niacin levels, giving your immune system a boost. It makes sure that your DNA replication continues uninterrupted, with a much lower risk of cancer.

14. Vitamin B – Riboflavin





15. Vitamin B – Pyridoxine



