Scientific Study and Clinical experiences by renowned diabetologists and nutritionists have proved the efficacy of green jackfruit flour in controlling blood sugar levels in persons with diabetes (PWD)
Chennai, October 14, 2022: Prevalence of diabetes in states with a mature and sophisticated economy has raised concerns on the westernised lifestyle and the impact it may have on the developing Indian economy as well as future generations. Many research institutes have conducted studies on ways to prevent or cure or even reverse the condition of diabetes. The focus is largely on controlling diabetes through diet and weight management.
In tandem with the same, India’s first clinical study on the efficacy of green jackfruit flour in medical nutrition therapy for diabetes patients was conducted at Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Srikakulam. The clinical study revealed the benefits green jackfruit flour holds in controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes patients.
The gold standard study conducted involved randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials. Patients of either sex aged ≥18 to ≤60 years with a diagnosis of T2DM for >1 year receiving oral antihyperglycemic agents were randomized (1:1) to receive either jackfruit flour 30 g/day (equivalent to three tablespoons per day or one tablespoon per meal) (Group A) or placebo flour (Group B) daily for 12 weeks replacing an equal volume of rice or wheat flour. The primary endpoint was a mean change in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Other endpoints were mean changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), lipid profile, and body weight.
Forty persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) having a mean age of 46.20±9.12 years (24 males and 16 females) participated in the study. All participants from study group completed the 12-week study while one participant from placebo group was lost to follow up. This study evaluated the efficacy of Jackfruit365™ green jackfruit flour as an integral part of daily meal in patients with T2DM.
The study showed a significant decrease in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and postprandial glucose (PPG) following the consumption of Jackfruit365™ green jackfruit flour meal, suggesting a therapeutic potential of green jackfruit flour meal in improving glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.
Further to the study, insights shared by renowned doctors and nutritionists from the field of diabetes highlighted green jackfruit flour’s efficacy in medical nutrition therapy to control blood sugar levels.
Dr. Vinod Abichandani, renowned diabetologist, has shared his clinical experience on the usage of green jackfruit flour among his patients and the positive outcomes and benefits reaped by them. He also
highlighted how the regular consumption of green jackfruit flour results in control of blood sugar, weight loss, helps optimise bowel movement, some lipid fractions and markers of fatty liver as well. He also shared insights on how easily green jackfruit flour integrates into the Indian dietary preferences, thereby making it an easy fit for medical nutrition therapy.
Ms Sheryl Salis, renowned dietician, in her clinical experience with adults as well as children, has asserted how green jackfruit flour helps in controlling blood glucose levels by taking charge of the satiety factor, improving PPG levels and facilitating healthy weight management. Green jackfruit flour is low on calories and nutrient-dense with a moderate glycemic index and glycemic load. She highlighted the ease of integration of green jackfruit flour with a majority of Indian dietary preferences; since it has a neutral taste. She also recommended adding one tablespoon of green jackfruit flour to a bowl of curd and consuming it before the meal. This will help add protein and fiber to a meal, control blood glucose, improve gut health and lead to early satiety
In addition to the clinical evidence shared, the clinical study suggests that high fiber intake with low calorie consumption may reduce HbA1c in patients with T2DM. In the study, green jackfruit flour had 25% lower calories, 33% lower net carbohydrates, and 57% more fiber in comparison to placebo flour suggesting that green jackfruit flour may be a promising intervention to improve glycemic control as a replacement to rice or wheat flour. The same is in line with the recommendations of the American Diabetic Association, which states that patients with T2DM should consume a lower number of calories and carbohydrates and a higher amount of dietary fibers to improve glycemic control.
Few other insightful excerpts from the study reveal, that, since the glycemic load (glucose level) in green jackfruit is almost half that of rice or wheat, it makes a potent carbohydrate substitute in the diet for diabetic patients. Green jackfruit flour can increase soluble fiber 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.
It is one of the first clinically proven solutions to control blood sugar using a gluten-free natural plant-based food from India. Adding just one tablespoon of Jackfruit365™ green jackfruit flour in one’s meal three times a day, will help reduce the absorption of carbohydrates and calories and facilitate twice the amount of fiber absorption, without the need to change one’s dietary preferences.
Dr. Vinod Abichandani, Diabetologist and Endocrine Physician, Ramanand Clinic, Ahmedabad said, “I recommended my patients to use 30 g Jackfruit365™️ green jackfruit flour per day to replace same portion of whole wheat flour or rice batter as part of their diet and observed a remarkable improvement in their blood glucose levels. Today, at least 50 of my patients including pregnant women, my family and staff are using 30 g of green jackfruit flour on a daily basis and the benefits are visible in overall metabolic conditions than just blood sugar control. Green jackfruit flour is a real nutritional gem for medical nutrition therapy ”
Ms Sheryl Salis, Registered Dietitian, Diabetes Educator & Founder- Nurture Health Solutions, said, “30 g of green jackfruit flour replaces 50g of wheat or rice or millet flour, because of the low bulk density. We have seen in our patients that earlier they were eating three rotis, but now, after replacement with green jackfruit flour, they are eating two because the satiety is achieved much faster. And they feel so happy and motivated,
that incorporating just one change in their meals has brought about a major change in their blood glucose levels.”
She adds, “The product is so versatile that it can be added to almost any recipe since it doesn’t alter taste. Even if you add just one tablespoon of the green jackfruit flour to a bowl of curd and have it before meals, it is going to have a positive impact on your satiety as well as in controlling blood sugar levels post-meal. Green Jackfruit flour has made a world of difference to my practice, my patients especially parents of children with diabetes are very happy.”
Green jackfruit flour is prepared from dehydrated, mature, unripe jackfruits. Nutritionally, 30 g of green jackfruit flour has calorie of 108 kcal, net carbohydrates of 20 g, and dietary and soluble fiber content of 4 g and 1 g respectively. Leading doctors and nutritionists now vouch for the efficacy of green jackfruit flour for diabetes and as a carbohydrate replacement to fight dietary diseases. Further to the study, green jackfruit flour has also gained awareness amongst the leading healthcare consultants, thereby instilling trust and garnering the loyalty of consumers as well.
On this occasion, Mr. James Joseph, Founder, Jackfruit365.com said, “Diabetes is a serious & rapidly growing health issue among the masses in India. There are more than 70 million people suffering from diabetes which is expected to rise over 134 million by 2045. The clinical study has been instrumental in bringing forth the benefits of green jackfruit flour in medical nutrition therapy for diabetes; this rooted deep trust in green jackfruit flour’s ability to control diabetes, thereby benefitting lakhs of people. It has also empowered me to keep the promise given to Late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, of taking green jackfruit’s benefit to every Indian and aid in the fight against diabetes.”
He also added “It is one of the most gifted food products online, being largely gifted by children to their elderly diabetics. To make it easier for the diabetic patients to purchase from their local supermarkets & pharmacies, Jackfruit365™ is expanding its retail distribution from Kerala to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana State-wide with a strong focus on the cities of Chennai & Bangalore.”
The city of Chennai relies heavily on rice for their daily meals. It is generally eaten during lunch, sometimes dinner, and breakfast dishes incorporate rice batter or rice flour. Owing to a neutral taste and lack of any innate aroma, green jackfruit flour integrates easily into the Tamil dietary preferences like dosa, idli, adai or even curd rice and makes it a setting example for consumption along with most of the staple foods across India.
