With its blood-purifying qualities and special use in the treatment of diabetes, the humble jamun is a fruit worth reckoning.The jamun (also known as jambas, jamun, jambolan, rajaman, kala jamun, neredu, naval, nerale, jamali, java plum, black plum and black berry) is a purple coloured tropical berry with a unique taste, colour and flavour. It is acidic and astringent in nature and has a sweet taste. Due to its acidic nature, it is usually eaten with a sprinkling of salt. Children are fond of this fruit due to its property of colouring the tongue purple due to anthocyanin, a plant pigment.This fruit is 70 per cent edible. Glucose and fructose are the major sugars found in the ripe fruit, it is also laden with minerals, and provides fewer calories, as compared to other fruits. A medium sized jamun provides about 3-4 calories. The seed of the fruit is also rich in protein carbohydrates and traces of calcium. It is a fair source of iron providing 1-2 mg per 100 gm and vitamin C, providing 18 mg/100 gm (the daily adult requirement of this vitamin is 40 mg). It also provides folate and vitamin-B, carotene, phytochemicals (antioxidants), magnesium, potassium and fibre. Jamun is believed to be of special use in treatment of diabetes. In Unani and Ayurvedic systems, it is used for digestive disorders including diarrohea. Extracts of the bark, seeds and leaves have been found to cause a marked prolonged decrease in blood sugar and glycouria (sugar in urine). Several studies show that jamun has hypoglycemic effects with upto 30 per cent reduction in blood sugar reported in some studies. Seeds are rich in alkaloids which have the hypoglycemic effects. Jamun has also been reported to be protective in liver disease which could play an important role in prevention of liver damage (necrosis and fibrosis). In addition, studies also show an anti-cancer potential of jamun fruit extract. These could be possibly due to several bioactive phytochemicals including polyphenols which have the purple pigment called anthocyanin. Studies show that berry fruit consumption may also provide benefits during chemotherapy and radiation. Research confirms that polyphenolic compounds have far reaching health benefits. They help in preventing of several chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, ageing and arthritis.Image credit: ReutersView All12Next >News posted by www.newsinfoline.com
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