Have you ever heard of a breadfruit?
They’re not very well known in the United States, but they will be soon.
Breadfruit may just be the next superfood, and with good reason.
This tropical fruit that’s about the size of a cantaloupe has loads of high-quality protein as over 100% of the daily dose of Vitamin C you should get. Add to that plenty of potassium and fiber and it’s no wonder that so many people call it a nutritional powerhouse.
Around the world, people are looking to breadfruit as the answer to global hunger. It's easy to grow and can be eaten at any stage.
One breadfruit tree will produce about 250 fruit per year, and that can feed a family for a long time.
TweetIn the United States, people are starting to seek out breadfruit for its antioxidants and nutrients, which include:
Calcium ? Carotenoids ? Copper ? Iron ? Magnesium ? Niacin ? Omega 3
Omega 6 ? Phosphorus ? Potassium ? Protein ?Thiamine ?Vitamin A ? Vitamin C
Top 5 Reasons to Eat Breadfruit
1. Breadfruit is high in antioxidants. These prevent and reverse the damage caused by free radicals. This reduces your risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke. It also combats the effects of aging.
2. Breadfruit is rich in amino acids. These are the building blocks of our body’s cells. Amino acids are essential to keeping our bodies fueled and functioning properly.
3. Breadfruit gives your immune system a boost. It's loaded with bioflavonoids, which fight inflammation. It also has high levels of thiamine, which support digestive health.
4. Breadfruit is a heart healthy food. It contains the phytochemicals that fight the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries and has been shown to contain a cholesterol-lowering component. It's also high in fiber which reduces blood pressure, and is high in potassium. Many people who suffer from heart conditions have low levels of potassium.
5. Breadfruit may help fight cancer. Studies have shown that an extract applied to the skin reduced the size and number of tumors on the skin. It has also been successfully tested in the treatment of liver cancer.
How to Eat Breadfruit
Breadfruit gets softer as it matures. It can be baked, boiled, candied, fried, pickled, roasted or steamed.
According to the National Tropical Botanical Garden’s Breadfruit Institute, breadfruit can be eaten at any point in its maturity.
“When it’s small and green, it tastes like an artichoke. When it’s starchy and mature, it’s the equivalent of a potato. When it’s soft and ripe, it’s dessert.”
That makes it one versatile fruit!
One of the biggest advantages that breadfruit offers is that it's gluten free. Breadfruit flour is already available online. It can be used in recipes in place of wheat flour one for one and adds tremendous nutritional value.
For a healthy and delicious way to add breadfruit to your diet, try making these tasty pancakes:
Breadfruit Pancakes
INGREDIENTS
One ripe* breadfruit
Dash of cinnamon (to taste)
Splash of vanilla (to taste)
*Note -You can tell the breadfruit is ripe if it's starting to turn brown and is very soft.
1. Cut the breadfruit open and scrape its insides into your blender.
2. Add a dash of cinnamon and a splash of vanilla, then blend for just 5 seconds.
3. Heat up a nonstick pan and melt a bit of coconut oil in the pan.
4. Spoon a scoop of the mixture into the pan and heat until golden, then flip.
5. Top with a dollop of Greek Yogurt and 100% Maple Syrup. Enjoy!
Also worth noting, breadfruit and jackfruit look similar and they're related but jackfruit is much larger.
Yours in Health,
Danette
P.S. I hope you will help me spread the word about breadfruit. Have you tried it? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.
