Today’s Amazing Fact: Breadfruit is high in Carbohydrate

Breadfruit, or Artocarpus altilis, is a type of fruit that grows on trees in tropical climates, including select areas of southern India and Central America. This fruit can be cooked or eaten raw, and is sometimes ground into flour. Breadfruit is rich in carbohydrates and provides dietary fiber, minerals and vitamins, so it can be a beneficial addition to your diet. Carbohydrates are your body's primary source of energy, so carbohydrate-rich foods such as breadfruit can be beneficial for athletes and other active individuals.

Breadfruit grows throughout most of the Pacific Islands and in other tropical areas, from Africa to Florida. Named for its resemblance to bread, this starchy fruit is a basic source of carbohydrates for many people living in these warm regions, but breadfruit also provides other important nutrients.

Rich in Carbohydrates

Breadfruit is rich in carbohydrates, as 1 cup provides about 60 g of this nutrient. , which is 20 percent of your recommended daily value of carbohydrates. Of this 60 g, 11 g is dietary fiber ,44 percent of your daily value. Although breadfruit is a great source of carbohydrates and fiber, it is relatively low in protein, with only 2 g per serving.

High in Fiber

One health benefit of breadfruit is that the fruit is rich in fiber. One cup contains 10.8 g of this nutrient. Fiber offers numerous health benefits: it helps promote satiety, aids in digestion and may help reduce your cholesterol levels.

Low Fat Content

Breadfruit is low in fat, as 1 cup contains just .51 g. Due to its low fat content, you might want to include this fruit on a low-fat diet. However, if you deep fry your breadfruit or cook or serve it with sugar and butter, this will considerably increase the fat content.

According to the Produce for Better Health Foundation, there are 230 calories in 1 cup of fresh breadfruit. This serving size contains only 0.5 g of fat, which is 1 percent of your recommended daily value. It has no cholesterol. Breadfruit is a good choice for people trying to limit their intake of fat or cholesterol.

Low Protein Content

Breadfruit is low in protein, as 1 cup contains just 2.35 g. Although protein offers certain health benefits, eating a low-protein diet can be helpful in some cases. Too much protein may put a strain on your liver and kidneys, so if you have liver or kidney problems, breadfruit is a low-protein option to include in your diet.

High Potassium Content

Breadfruit is rich in the mineral potassium, with 1078 mg in a 1-cup serving. Potassium is vital for your health, as it conducts electrical charges in your body that drive muscular contractions in your skeletal and smooth muscles, including your heart.

Vitamins

Breadfruit is packed with vitamin C, providing 110 percent of your recommended daily value of this vitamin in just 1 cup. Although it provides no vitamin A, a serving of fresh breadfruit does give you small amounts of thiamine, niacin and riboflavin.

Minerals

Breadfruit has no sodium, but each 1 cup serving provides 4 percent of your recommended daily value of calcium and 6 percent of iron. Eating breadfruit will also contribute to your daily intake of potassium and magnesium, the National Tropical Botanical Garden's website reports.

Selection and Storage

Pick breadfruit that are bright green, thick and bumpy, with no bruises or other blemishes. You can keep them in your refrigerator for one week. While refrigerated, breadfruit will get darker in color.

References

• Produce for Better Health Foundation: Breadfruit
• National Tropical Botanical Garden: Breadfruit
• "Fruits of Warm Climates"; Julia F. Morton; 1987
• USDA National Nutrient Database: Breadfruit, Raw
• MayoClinic.com; Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet; November 2009
• EveryDiet.org; Low-Protein Diets; June 2011
• University of Maryland Medical Center; Potassium; May 2009