Green jackfruit flour can help control blood sugar levels: Study

Hyderabad: A study conducted at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh revealed the benefits of green jackfruit flour in controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes patients. During a press meet held in Hyderabad to discuss the efficacy of green jackfruit flour in medical nutrition therapy for diabetes patients, a group of renowned doctors and nutritionists shared their views.

What is green jackfruit flour?

It is prepared from dehydrated, mature, unripe jackfruits. Nutritionally, 30g of green jackfruit flour has a calorie of 108 kcal, net carbohydrates of 20 g, and dietary and soluble fibre content of 4 and 1 g, respectively. It is one of the first clinically proven solutions to control blood sugar using a gluten-free natural plant-based food from India.

Dr. Latha Sashi, consultant nutritionist and HOD, department of clinical nutrition and dietetics, Fernandez Hospital discussed how the published evidence from the clinical study at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Srikakulam, is very encouraging news for diabetes patients. "I was following the research on green jackfruit flour and the ease of including it in a variety of traditional food people prefer, like pesarattu," she said.

Dr. Vinod Abichandani, diabetologist and endocrine physician, Ramanand Clinic, Ahmedabad shared his clinical experience on the use of green jackfruit flour among his patients and the positive outcomes and benefits reaped by them. "I recommended my patients use 30 grams of Jackfruit365 green jackfruit flour per day to replace the same portion of whole wheat flour or rice batter as part of their diet and observed a remarkable improvement in their blood glucose levels," he said.

Further, James Joseph, the founder of Jackfruit365, presented the wider impact of the clinical study in the adoption of green jackfruit flour to control blood sugar through regular food, which was supported by the group of doctors present at the venue. The gold standard study conducted at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences in Srikakulam involved randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials.

"About 40 persons with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) participated in the study. All participants from the study group completed the 12-week study. This study evaluated the efficacy of Jackfruit365 green jackfruit flour as an integral part of the daily meal in patients with T2DM. It showed a significant decrease in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and postprandial glucose (PPG)," said Mr. James Joseph.

He further said, "Green jackfruit flour can increase soluble fibre and reduce the energy density and glycemic load of a majority of traditional Indian meals like roti, idli or dosa as part of medical nutrition therapy for T2DM patients, without changing their dietary preferences."