Cochin: Pectin is a soluble dietary fibre that effectively reduces fatty liver and blood sugar levels. If you are wondering what is a good source of pectin, look no further than your own backyard. Interestingly, the “king of fruits”, which is also the state fruit of Kerala, is a natural source of pectin. Simply add three tablespoons of raw jackfruit powder or green jackfruit “atta” mixed with rice flour or wheat flour or mixed with water while making chapatis or rotis to reap the health benefits of pectin. The results of an experiment conducted by Ahmedabad-based endocrinology specialist Dr. Vinod Abhichandani was recently published in the ASN Nutrition journal. For the experiment, Dr. Abhichandani fed raw jackfruit powder to 200 patients for three months. The results were recently presented at the annual conference of the American Academy of Nutrition in Chicago.
The benefits of “Atta”
People who consumed raw jackfruit powder for three months were found to have reduced fatty liver, cholesterol, triglycerides, and diabetes. The experiment used “Jackfruit 365” powder; however, the report said that any brand of jackfruit powder can be consumed. Jackfruit flour is rich in dietary fiber and is said to be good for digestive health. It is also gluten-free and has a low glycemic index. Apart from making roti, it is often used as a thickener for sauces and soups.
