Top 10 Health Benefits of Jackfruit Seeds and Fried Jackfruit Seeds Curry Recipe

Jackfruit is one of the largest fruits. Jackfruit is considered as a popular tropical fruit in Asia. It is loaded with protein and loads of other nutrients like vitamin B, potassium, calcium and zinc. This yummy fruit is eaten either in its cooked or raw form, when it turns ripe.

But, did you know that the seeds of the jackfruit which are often thrown away are healthy too? Jackfruit seeds are rich in nutrients like riboflavin and thiamine, which help convert the food that we eat into energy. These nutrients help to keep your eyes, skin and hair healthy.

The seeds also have small amounts of minerals like magnesium, zinc, potassium, iron, calcium and copper. They also contain antimicrobial compounds which could help prevent bacterial contamination that cause food-borne illnesses. Read below points to know more about the enormous health benefits of jackfruit seeds.

1. High in Protein: Who would have known that jackfruit seeds are full of protein? The seeds are rich in protein and you can eat the seeds by adding them to different dishes while cooking. This helps in building muscle mass and keeps the metabolism running faster.

2. Prevents Indigestion: Jackfruit seeds provide an instant relief from digestion. The nutrients present in jackfruit seeds can help you to digest the food properly. The seeds also contain fibre that will aid in the digestion process and will keep your stomach full.

3. Good for The Eyesight: Jackfruit seeds contain vitamin A, which helps in maintaining a good eyesight. Vitamin A is an important nutrient, which is required for maintaining a healthy eyesight that can help ward off many eye-related diseases such as night blindness.

4. Prevents Anemia: Eating jackfruit seeds once or twice a week will increase your iron content in the body. The seeds are a great source of iron, which is good for people suffering with low haemoglobin level. If you have anemia, consume jackfruit seeds, as it helps eliminate the risk of anemia and other blood-related diseases.

5. Cures Mental Stress: Jackfruit seeds are rich in proteins and other micronutrients that help in lowering mental stress. Eat jackfruit seeds more often whenever you are suffering with mental stress. It will keep mental problems at bay.

6. Prevents Constipation: Jackfruit seeds can prevent issues such as constipation due to the presence of insoluble fibre. The fibre present in the seeds promotes the work of the digestive tract and quickens the process of digestion and thus detoxifies the colon.

7. Boosts the Immune System: Jackfruit seeds can strengthen the immune system. It has an antimicrobial effect on the body, which prevents bacterial contamination. The seeds contain zinc which also helps to boost the immune system and promotes a better immune function.

8. Prevents Cancer: Jackfruit seeds contain antioxidants which can prevent cancer. It protects the body from free radicals which otherwise can damage the DNA cells and produce cancer cells. Jackfruit seeds contain anti-cancer properties that will slow down the degeneration of the body cells.

9. Provides Strength to the Bones: Jackfruit seeds contain calcium that helps in promoting healthy bones. The seeds also contain potassium, which helps to build and strengthen the bones. Include jackfruit seeds in your diet if you want to build your muscles and keep your bones strong.

10. Lowers Heart Disease: Jackfruit seeds are very good for heart patients, as the seeds have zero cholesterol. The seeds prevent cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke by lowering the bad cholesterol and increasing the good cholesterol level in the body.

Fried Jackfruit Seeds Curry Recipe

Curry made from ripe jack fruit is not very tasty, but the seeds from ripe jack fruit make a delicious curry. Jack fruit seeds are available in shops. You can also prepare these seeds dry fried or with Tari, so let us prepare Fried Jackfruit Seeds curry.

Ingredients for Fried Jack fruit Seeds

• Jack fruit(kathal) seeds - 250 grams
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Heeng(asafoetida) - 1 to 2 pinch
• Jeera(cumin seeds) - 1/4 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Coriander(dhaniya) powder - 1 1/2 tsp
• Green chillies - 2 to 3
• Ginger - 1 inch long piece
• Red chilly powder - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - add to taste ( 3/4 tsp)
• Amchur(mango) powder - 1/2 tsp
• Garam masala - 1/4 tsp(if you want)
• Green coriander -1 tbsp (finely chopped)

How to make fried Kathal seeds (Jackfruit Seeds Curry)

• Wash the jackfruit seeds, put the seeds with 1 cup of water in a cooker then boil till 1 whistle goes off. Open the cooker after all the pressure is released. Allow the seeds to cool then peel their skins.
• Wash green chillies, remove their stems and chop them finely (instead of green chillies you can use 1 tsp chilly paste).
• Peel, wash and grate ginger(you can use 1 tsp ginger paste instead).
• Pour oil in a frying pan (kadhai) and heat, put Heeng, Jeera in hot oil. After Jeera is roasted put turmeric powder, coriander powder, now add 2 tbsp water, red chilly powder, salt and Amchur powder to it. Mix all the ingredients properly and after it comes to boil cook for 2 minutes. Put the jackfruit seeds in these spices and stir fry for 2 minutes. Turn off the gas, put chopped coriander and mix in the curry.
• Fried Jack fruit Seeds curry is ready. Take out the curry in a bowl, serve with paranthas, chapatis or rice.

Jack fruit seeds Recipe with tomato

Jackfruit Seeds Curry can be prepared with tomato i this way: Clean 2 tomatoes, 2 green chillies, ginger then put these in a mixer to make a paste. Pour oil in a frying pan and heat, put Heeng, Jeera and roast in hot oil. Now put turmeric powder, coriander powder and masala paste then fry till oil starts to float over the spices. Add jack fruit seeds, salt, red chilly powder and garam masala to the fried spices. Stir fry for 2 minutes. If required put 1-2 tbsp water while frying the seeds.

10 Awesome Health Benefits of Watermelon Seeds and 2 Ways to Eat Watermelon Seeds

Watermelon is a refreshing fruit with nutritious seeds which are full of nutrients and antioxidants. The seeds include high levels of amino acids, protein, B vitamins, niacin, magnesium, zinc, copper, potassium, manganese, iron and copper. The watermelon seeds also consist of healthy fats which are omega 3 fatty acids and omega 6 fatty acids. They are versatile and can be consumed in whichever way you like. You can add the seeds in your protein shakes or in your salads. Not only are the seeds good for your health, the oil extracted from the seeds work wonders for your skin and hair. Have a look at the health benefits of watermelon seeds.

1. Promotes Heart Health: Watermelon seeds contain magnesium, an essential mineral that contributes to heart health. Consuming the seeds will help in regulating blood pressure and normal heart functioning. The seeds are also packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

2. Improves Male fertility: Watermelon seeds contain zinc which is another important mineral beneficial for the male reproductive system. It may increase the sperm quality in infertile men. The seeds also contain manganese which also contributes to male fertility.

3. Strengthens the Immune System: Watermelon seeds are packed with iron and B vitamins that strengthen the immune system and enhance the immune function. Start including watermelon seeds in your diet to strengthen your immunity.

4. Treats Diabetes: the watermelon seeds are considered anti-diabetic that have positive effects on the accumulation of glycogen stored. International Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences mentioned that the seeds might prevent type 2 diabetes as well.

5. Enhances Digestion: The watermelon seeds contain magnesium that activates the enzymes in the body that help in absorbing nutrients. This helps in better digestion and can prevent stomach acids from forming.

6. Improves Skin Health: Watermelon seeds improve your skin texture and overall appearance. The seeds contain magnesium that lowers cortisol levels, balances hormones and improves cellular processes. It also aids in preventing wrinkles and acts as a shield from free radicals.

7. Improves Brain health: Magnesium present in watermelon seeds helps in improving memory and also boosts brain health. A noted American study has mentioned that magnesium can accelerate memory function and can treat Alzheimer's disease.

8. Growth and Development Watermelon seeds contain high amounts of arginine, which lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. The amino acids and protein present in the seeds help in maintaining normal growth and development.

9. Prevents Osteoporosis Watermelon seeds are loaded with essential minerals which help in strengthening the bones and increases bone mineral density. Eating the seeds will prevent osteoporosis and will keep you strong as you age.

10. Lowers Bad Cholesterol: Watermelon seeds are full of fibre and fatty acids that help in lowering the bad (LDL) cholesterol. The bad cholesterol increases heart diseases, blocks the arteries which causes heart attack and stroke. Eating the seeds will promote good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol.

2 Ways to Eat Watermelon Seeds

1. Make sprouted watermelon seeds.

Like chia and flax seeds, watermelon seeds contain nutrients such as vitamin B, potassium, magnesium, and zinc, which studies have linked with various health benefits. They are also a good source of healthy fats and protein.

There's a catch, however: To get the full dose of protein, you have to eat the seeds when they're sprouted, and after you've gotten rid of that tough black shell. And that process takes at least a few days.

First the seeds have to soak in water overnight, and then you have to wait for a few days until they're visibly sprouted. At that point, they're ready to get dried in the oven, dehydrator, or under the sun. And after that, you can eat them as a healthy snack.

2. Roast your watermelon seeds.

You can also roast your seeds — after spreading the seeds on a baking sheet, they need about 15 minutes in the oven at 325°F to make them brown and crispy. You lose some of the nutritional content that way, but they're still a tasty snack — especially when enhanced with a bit of olive oil and sea salt.

13 Proven Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds and 2 Pumpkin Seeds Recipes

Pumpkin seeds are a mixed bag of antioxidants – vitamin E, Phytosterols, and zinc – that reduce inflammation. They seem to support hair growth in balding men and may relieve menopausal women of some of their symptoms. Surprisingly, they may even reduce risks of breast, prostate, and colon cancers.

Pumpkin seeds, also called pepitas, are flat oval green seeds covered by a whitish yellow external shell. The seed with the shell is edible and can do you a world of good. Pumpkin seeds have been used in folk medicine to treat kidney, bladder, and prostate disorders for centuries now. Below are few benefits of pumpkin seeds will give you the nudge you need.

1. Supplies a Mixed Bag of Antioxidants

Antioxidants protect our cells from free radical damage and, thus, inhibit inflammation. As many diseases involve some or the other form of inflammation, pumpkin seeds can prove themselves more than just worthy.

Pumpkin seeds are a mixed bag of antioxidants – vitamin E, phenolic compounds, zinc – which, fortunately, happen to work in our favor as opposed to only one type. For instance, pumpkin seed extracts can inhibit the oxidation-promoting enzyme lipoxygenase, something which phenolic acids alone cannot do.

Roasted pumpkin seeds contain different forms of vitamin E – alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol, alpha-tocomonoenol, and gamma-tocomonoenol – which may be more beneficial to us health-wise than one form alone.2 So, though its alpha-tocopherol content may not be significantly high, the combined supply of different forms of the vitamin make it a good and, more importantly, effective source of vitamin E.

2. Supports Heart Health

Pumpkin seeds are well endowed with arginine. L- arginine prevents arterial thickening and plaque formation, while also lowering blood pressure – indicators of a well-protected heart.

One hypothesis is that pumpkin seed oil generates nitric oxide, a vasodilator. By encouraging blood vessels to expand, it may prevent blood clots from forming and blood pressure from skyrocketing.

Pumpkin seeds also lower total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, additional threats to the heart. As existing research involves rats and postmenopausal women only, more expansive research is required to make sense of how exactly pumpkin seeds alter cholesterol levels. It is possibly due to its essential fatty acid content.

3. Keeps Diabetes in Check

Preliminary studies showed that pumpkin seeds possess blood sugar lowering properties. The compounds trigonelline, nicotinic acid, and D-chiro-inositol in pumpkin seeds may be responsible for its glycemic control. Pumpkin seeds can, thus, be used as a convenient, economical tool to keep blood sugar levels in check in diabetics.

4. Retards Skin Aging

Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of essential fatty acids – omega-3s and omega-6s – that our bodies need but cannot manufacture themselves. The more omega-6 or linoleic acid you ingest, the lesser likely is it for your skin to dry out or get damaged by the sun. Pumpkin seeds, thus, show potential installing the process of aging.

5. Controls Hair Loss

Affecting 7 in 10 men, particularly older than 50, androgenetic alopecia (common baldness) continues to be an aesthetic worry in society.

In one study, 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil capsules were consumed daily by 76 men suffering from common baldness. At the end of 6 months, hair growth had increased by an extra 30% in comparison to the control group.

This is possibly due to the effect of phytosterols, the equivalent of human cholesterol in plant cell membranes. Phytosterols inhibit the enzyme 5α-reductase in hair follicles.

6. Promotes Sleep

Pumpkins are a rich source of tryptophan, zinc, and magnesium – all of which improve sleep.

Tryptophan: Consuming about 1 gm of tryptophan a day may help you fall asleep faster and better. To obtain this dosage of tryptophan, you would have to eat about 200 gm (or 7 oz) of pumpkin seeds daily.

Zinc: Each seed contains about 10% zinc. Zinc facilitates the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin to melatonin, the sleep hormone.

Magnesium: Magnesium plays a role in the cell signaling pathways involved in the sleep-wake cycle. In support of this finding, previous studies have proved that magnesium supplements can benefit insomniacs. Fortunately enough, pumpkin seeds are a good source of magnesium, too.

7. Relieves Arthritic Pain

Pumpkin seed oil supplements reduce inflammation caused by arthritis in rats. The powerful mix of antioxidants probably plays a key role. While clinical trials are pending, it is safe to test and see if pumpkin seeds can relieve you of your arthritic pain.

8. Improves Sperm Quality

Azothiopine is a drug used to suppress the immune system in patients who have undergone organ transplants or who have autoimmune diseases. It can adversely affect sperm count and cause abnormalities in sperm cells.

One study on mice proposes that pumpkin seed oil can be used to counteract azothiopine-induced sperm damage. Pumpkin seed oil may improve sperm quality and sperm count.

Low concentrations of zinc in semen have been associated with low-quality sperm and infertility, while the reverse is true for high concentrations of seminal zinc. Now knowing that pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc, we can imagine the positive effects on sperms. Couples trying to conceive may want to consider increasing their pumpkin seed intake.

9. Improves Urinary Function

Controls an Overactive Bladder: In one study, 10 gm of an extract of pumpkin seed oil was consumed by 45 individuals with an overactive bladder daily for about 3 months. A significant improvement in urinary function was observed. Pumpkin seeds, thus, show promise in the treatment of overactive bladders.

Treats Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): BPH is a condition where a man has difficulty urinating because of an enlarged prostate gland. A year-long study was conducted that required men suffering from BPH to consume 320 mg of pumpkin seed oil daily. The symptoms of BPH improved and the test subjects reported a better quality of life within the first quarter of the year itself.

10. Lowers Risks of Certain Cancers

Extracts from pumpkin seeds inhibit the growth of prostate, breast, stomach, and colon tumors. Diets rich in pumpkin seeds can reduce the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. This is most likely due to the plant chemicals called lignans in pumpkin seeds. This effect may be exploited in the future to even treat breast cancer.

Most studies on the effects of pumpkin seeds on cancer have focused on prostate and breast cancer alone. They also restrict the experiments to lignans, ignoring other potential key players. There is huge scope for future studies by shifting focus to include other types of cancers and antioxidants as well.

11. Eliminates Intestinal Parasites

Pumpkin seeds have been traditionally used in the treatment of intestinal worms. Adding a basis to this belief, a study showed that pumpkin seed extracts possess compounds – cucurbitine, fatty acids, berberine, and palmatine –that adversely affect worm egg hatching, larval development, and adult worm motility.

So, though pumpkin seeds may not outright kill intestinal worms, they can paralyze them. The worms are deterred from latching on to the intestinal wall during bowel movement, facilitating their evacuation from the body. This information is of immense value as parasites continue to become immune to synthetic anti-parasitic drugs.

12. Reduces Menopause Symptoms

In addition to reducing the risks of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, pumpkin seed oil also decreases the severity of menopause symptoms. Women hitting menopause may have less severe hot flushes, fewer headaches, and less joint pain. This is bound to make a positive impact on their quality of life.

13. Encourages Weight Loss

There are no direct proven benefits of pumpkin seeds for weight loss. However, its high fiber content (18%) can curb hunger, helping in appetite control in your weight loss journey. Its nutrient reserves will also ensure your body is fit enough to exercise and survive intense workouts.

2 Pumpkin Seeds Recipes

1. Roasted pumpkin seeds recipe

You can easily buy pumpkin seeds in health food stores. However, the best way to eat roasted pumpkin seeds is to make them yourself. Here are the steps:

1) Remove the pumpkin seeds from their surrounding pulp.

2) Place them on a parchment paper in a single layer and let them dry overnight.

3) Transfer the seeds on to a baking sheet and lightly roast them at 160 F for 15-20 minutes. Note that you can preserve the healthy oils in the seeds by roasting at a lower temperature.

4) Store the roasted seeds in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks. Consume daily as snacks or appetizers.

2. Pumpkin seed milk recipe

Vegan and paleo dieters, as well as lactose intolerant people, will find this a wonderful way to get more calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium without having to turn to dairy. Drinking pumpkin seed milk can prevent osteoporosis in women and also safeguard prostate health in men. Pumpkin seed milk recipe is a wonderful way to eat more pumpkin seeds daily.

To make unsweetened pumpkin seed milk:

1 cup raw pumpkin seeds-soaked for 8 hours

3 cup fresh water

Pinch of salt

To make sweetened pumpkin seed milk

1 cup raw pumpkin seeds soaked for 8 hours

3 cups fresh water

Pinch of salt

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3-6 pitted mejdool dates or maple syrup or honey or agave nectar

1 tablespoon sunflower lecithin

Method

Strain the seeds and discard the soaking liquid.

Add the seeds and water to a high powered blender and blend for 2 minutes. Once you have a smooth mixture, strain the milk through a nut-milk bag or nylon cloth. (You can add the pumpkin pulp to your plants as compost or use it in baking recipes.

Variation: to make spicy pumpkin seed milk which is perfect for fall, add some cinnamon and nutmeg to the blender. You can also make a chocolate version of pumpkin seed milk recipe by adding sweetened or unsweetened cocoa powder to the final product.