Benefits of Jackfruit

Jackfruit or locally known as "nangka" or "langka" is the favorite fruit and dessert for Filipinos like me.

According the Department of Agriculture, Jackfruit is  one of the most widely grown fruit crops in the Philippines. It was reported that this fruit is one of the famous in the world because it produces the largest edible fruit that weighs as much as 50kg.

Artocarpus heterophyllius (scientific name)

Health Benefits of Jackfruit (Source: http://hubpages.com/hub/Health-Benefits-of-Jackfruit)

•An excellent energy food with only a small amount of fat.

•Helps prevent and treat tension and nervousness.

•Helps in obesity.

•Helps prevent constipation.

•Helps cure ulcers and indigestion.

•Helps to lower blood pressure because of its high potassium content.

•Jackfruit is rich in phytonutrients that can fight cancer and slow down degeneration of cells that can lead to degenerative diseases.

•Jackfruit is a good source of Vitamin C.

•The jackfruit root is a remedy for skin diseases and asthma. An extract of the root is taken in cases of fever and diarrhea.

•Jackfruit provides a good supply of proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins.


PS: Did you know that Cebuanos use the wood of the jackfruit tree in making excellent guitars and ukeleles?

Chemicals on School Supplies

A few days ago, I read from Philippine Star by Rhodina Villanueva that Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition has asked the Department of Trade and Industry or DTI to test commonly used school supplies for toxic chemicals. They are particularly concerned about the continued use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or plastic number 3, in school supplies and toys.

PVC is considered a poisonous type of plastic because of the use of cancer-causing chemicals to manufacture it. IT also leaches chemical additives such as cadmium,lead, organotins and phthalates when used and produces dioxins when burned.

Pthalates which are PVC softeners or plasticers, can cause life-long health problems such as autism, asthma, as well as developmental, nervous, reproductive and respiratory problems.

New York Based non-government organization Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) has published the "Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies" which offers practical tips on avoiding toxic school supplies. They advised not to buy backpacks with shiny plastic designs, plastic lunchboxes and 3-ring binders.