Jackfruit is a ‘miracle vegetable’ that can heal diabetes, thyroid issues, hormonal imbalances, support heart health, and improve sexual health.

FACT: 

Jackfruit is rich in fibre and resistant starch, which can aid digestion and support gut health, but it is not a cure for diabetes, thyroid, or hormonal issues. Any blood sugar benefits seen in studies are largely due to added medications or fibre content, not unique properties of the fruit itself. Experts recommend enjoying jackfruit in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Known as Kathal in Hindi, Chakka in Malayalam, Halasu in Kannada, Phansa in Marathi or Palapalam in Tamil, jackfruit is a popular fruit in many parts of India. The ripened fruit is eaten as a sweet treat and the unripe ones are cooked into savoury dishes. You’ve probably also heard people rave about jackfruit being a superfood — one that supposedly helps with everything from constipation to thyroid to diabetes.

But is this humble, spiky fruit really that powerful? That’s the question raised by nutritionist and dietician Dr Shilpa Arora, whose recent Instagram reel has gone viral for calling jackfruit a “miracle vegetable” that can heal multiple health issues.

In the video, while cutting and cooking kathal sabzi (raw jackfruit curry), she lists five major benefits of the fruit, counting them down as she speaks. “This is a miracle vegetable that will heal five things,” she says. “It heals diabetes, improves hormonal health, is very good for a sluggish thyroid, supports heart health and blood pressure. This vegetable is amazing and, most importantly, it’s an aphrodisiac — good for sexual health.”

Can Jackfruit (Kathal) really help with constipation, diabetes, and thyroid?

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit native to South India, belonging to the Moraceae family, which also includes fig, mulberry, and breadfruit. It holds a special place for Keralites, as it is also the state fruit, with the state’s tourism department calling it “more than produce-it is part of the household, often growing right in the backyard, alongside mango and coconut trees.”

It is the largest tree fruit in the world, sometimes weighing up to 35 kg (80 pounds), with a spiky green or yellow skin and a sweet, fruity flavour reminiscent of apples, pineapples, mangoes, and bananas. Its fibrous texture makes it a popular meat substitute for vegans and vegetarians. Both ripe and unripe flesh are edible and used in sweet and savoury dishes, while the seeds are also safe to eat.

Nutritionally, jackfruit is rich in carbohydrates, protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. One cup (165 grams) provides 157 calories, 38.3 g carbs, 2.8 g protein, 2.5 g fibre, 25 per cent of the daily recommended value of vitamin C, 16 per cent of the daily recommended value of potassium, 14 per cent of the daily recommended value of copper, and 11 per cent of the daily recommended value of magnesium. Its relatively high protein content compared to other fruits, along with antioxidants, supports its purported health benefits.

Research exploring jackfruit’s impact on diabetes and blood sugar began with animal studies. In 2011, a study in diabetic rats found that jackfruit leaf extract helped reduce fasting blood sugar levels and provided long-term blood sugar regulation, an effect attributed to flavonoid antioxidants.

Further clinical evidence emerged in 2021 with the publication of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating Jackfruit365™ green jackfruit flour in patients with type 2 diabetes. Participants who replaced an equal volume of rice or wheat flour with 30 g/day of jackfruit flour for 12 weeks showed a significant reduction in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) compared to the control group. The study concluded that this intervention “demonstrates the efficacy of jackfruit flour in glycemic control as medical nutrition therapy replacing an equal volume of rice or wheat flour in daily meal,” with continuous glucose monitoring showing improvements within seven days of administration.

However, it is important to note that the patients in this study were already receiving oral hypoglycemic medications, with “glimepiride/metformin” being the most commonly used combination (40% in Group A and 65% in Group B).

Regarding the other health claims, in 2019, a review emphasised jackfruit’s nutritional value for overall health, noting, “Jackfruit has abundance of important minerals. It is rich in magnesium, which is important for the absorption of calcium and helps strengthen the bones and prevent bone-related disorders such as osteoporosis. Iron in jackfruit helps to prevent anemia and aids in proper blood circulation and copper plays an important role in thyroid gland metabolism”

A more recent 2025 review examined the potential health benefits of jackfruit seed flour and starch. According to the review, the seeds may be particularly useful for supporting digestive health and addressing certain deficiencies, such as vitamin A deficiency. The findings highlighted that “dysentery and diarrhoea can be cured with fresh seed extract. Digestion can be helped by seed (or bark) extract. Giving the seed starch will help with biliousness. Roasted seeds are thought to have aphrodisiac properties.”

As for sexual health, a study from Sri Lanka examined the contradictory claims regarding the aphrodisiac properties of the jackfruit seeds. They said that according to Ayurvedic literature in Sri Lanka, roasted seeds of Artocarpus heterophyllus (Moraceae) have aphrodisiac properties, while some reproductively active young men in rural Sri Lanka reported that consuming these seeds a few hours before coitus disrupted sexual function. To investigate, researchers tested a seed suspension in rats, which indicated that at least in rats, these seeds do not exhibit aphrodisiac effects.

It is important to note that this evidence comes from an animal study, and more robust, large-scale human research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.

It is for these reasons that experts such as Dr Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology and Weight Loss at Zandra Healthcare, are much more measured in their praise for the fruit. He explained that the actual benefits of jackfruit are primarily linked to its fibre content. “Both ripe and raw jackfruit are very rich in soluble and insoluble fibres. They add bulk to the stools, and because of that, your bowel movements improve,” he said. He noted that jackfruit also contains a small amount of natural sugar and resistant starch, which can sometimes act as prebiotics, supporting gut health and digestive function.

However, Dr Kovil warned against excessive consumption. Drawing from his own experience in Kerala, he said, “We were always advised to drink plenty of warm water after eating jackfruit because it is known to cause bloating. Very ripe jackfruit can even trigger irritable bowel in some people.” He emphasised that “moderate amounts of jackfruit provide benefits mainly through natural fibre and sugar, but no other major health claims are substantiated.”

Regarding claims about blood sugar management, Dr Kovil explained that any observed reduction in post-meal blood sugar spikes is due to fibre, not any unique property of jackfruit itself. “If you eat ice cream along with fibre, like a fruit salad, the glycemic index is lower because fibre slows the immediate sugar spike. It’s nothing specific to jackfruit, just the fibre.”

He also differentiated between raw and ripe jackfruit, noting that “raw jackfruit is slightly better for abdominal issues. Ripe jackfruit can sometimes cause constipation, bloating, and stomach irritation because it degenerates slowly in the stomach. The fibre quality is better when it’s raw.”

Addressing previous claims about jackfruit flour for diabetics, Dr Kovil added, “A few years back, there were claims about jackfruit atta reducing blood sugar. Upon analysis, it was found that some of these products had added metformin. The only real benefit comes from the high fibre and resistant starch in jackfruit, nothing more.”