Jamun - Anti-diabetic fruit

 

                 Jamun / Jambul  / Jambufalam /  Indian blackberry / Syzygium cumini

                Jamun ( Java Plum ) , highly nutritious , slow growing , medium to large size , very famous refreshing and succulent fruit , which have  powerhouse of many  health benefits. Jamun plant is large evergreen tree with heavy trunk, is native to the Indian subcontinent but is also widely found in various Asian countries. Upper part of tree bark is light greyish and smooth , at the base tree bark dark grey and rough . Woods of tree water resistance . Leaves are aromatic and have soothing aroma . Flowering start from march to April . Its fruit is green in color when raw but after ripens turns into a purple color ,ovoid shaped ,large barriers  which are harvested in last summer and early rainy season. Unripe fruit is green changes to dark crimson after ripening .The fruit is sweet, sour and astringent in taste and may be give a purplish color to our tongue. Jamun can also be consumed in other forms such as Juice, Vinegar, and Tablet etc.

Vernacular name of Jamun – Family - Myrtaceae

           Hindi ( Jamun , Jambul ,Jambol ) , English ( Black plum , Java plum , Indian black berry ), Kannada ( Nerale ) , Tamil ( Saval naval ) , Punjabi ( Jamalu ) , Bengali ( Kala jam ) , Sanskrit ( Mahaphala , Phalendra , Jambava ) , Botanical name ( Syzygium cumini ) .

 Properties of Jamun  –

1.      Ayurvedic properties of Jamun fruit are  ;    Rasa / Taste – Kashaya / Astringent / Sour / Sweet  ,   Virya / Potency – Sheet / Cold ,   Vipaka – Katu / Pungent .  Jamun fruit has astringent flavour , sweet and slightly sour taste .             

Main action – Astringent and Digestive Stimulant ,   Dosha Effect – Pacifies Kapha and Pitta dosha but Increase the Vata dosha  . It balance Pitta and Kapha dosha . Jamun fruit contains  Anthocyanins  compound  , this  pigments that give Purple or blue color of fruit .

2.     Other properties -Jamun  fruit  possess a wide range of pharmacological properties such as Anti-bacterial ,   Anti-fungal , Anti-viral ,  Anti-inflammatory , Cardio-protective , Free radical scavenging , Anti-oxidant , Hepato-protective , Anti-diabetic effects and others .

Jamun fruit is also Diuretic , Anti-scorbutic  and Carminative activities with  rich source of Poly-phenolic  compound . Diuretic effects of Jamun fruit is flushes toxin out of the kidney, while high fiber content aids in digestion and prevent nausea and vomiting. Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidants of jamun that prevent auto-oxidation and protects our body from many harmful disease .

3.     Prevent and treat  bronchial and asthma problem - Jamun may be help in treat Bronchitis and Asthmatic  problem . Consuming Jamun fruit can digest  Ama ( Ama is a Toxic remain in body due to improper indigestion in  form of mucus in lungs ) due to its Pachan / Digestive properties . It also removes excessive accumulated mucus from lungs due to its Kapha  balancing  properties.

4.     Preventing and treat diabetes  - Jamun fruit  may be control sugar level in blood , which certainly helps to enhance the insulin activity from pancreatic beta-cells  and sensitivity , with delaying diabetic complication such as excessive thirst , frequent urination and others  . Jamun may convert starch into energy and maintain blood sugar levels . Mycaminose compound found in Jamun  , work as antidiabetic drug , and it stimulate the secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta-cells .Jamun contain rich amount of alkaloids content that is very effective to control hyperglycemia or high blood sugar .

Jamun seeds is also very useful remedy for diabetes, it   have the ability to control the conversion of starch (which are present in the body) into sugar whenever there is an excess production of Glucose. Jamun Seeds churn also may help in minimizing the blood pressure because of its Anti-hypertensive effect and presence of Ellagic acid compound . Hypoglycemic properties of jamun seed ,increasing the secretion of Insulin , may be lowering blood  sugar level . Jamun seed inhibits the enzyme that convert carbohydrates into glucose on digestion .

5.     Improve skin - Jamun pulp and seed have Anti-microbial and Anti-bacterial properties, which minimize the growth of skin infection causing bacteria. Its pulp may helps in quick healing of skin ulcer and reduce inflammation. It also bring back the normal texture of the skin .By drinking jamun juice , we can get healthy and glowing skin . It detoxifies and purifies the blood , so it glows our skin inside . Jamun is rich source of Vitamin C , so it provides the blemish free radiant skin .

6.     Improving hemoglobin - Jamun is good source of Vitamin C and Iron , due to this, fruit increase Hemoglobin count in blood . While Iron works as a blood purifier and  increased hemoglobin count in our blood to carry more oxygen to the different organs and keep our body healthy .

7.     Preventing and treat heart disease -  Jamun  is  beneficial to keep our heart healthy. The fruit contains  Potassium, which act as a vasodilator ( Vasodilator are medication the dilate blood vessels . They affect the muscles in the walls of the arteries and veins , preventing the muscles from tightening and the walls from narrowing . As a result ,blood flows more easily through the vessels ), that may  help to treat  disease  and  minimize  like stroke , high  blood pressure  and   heart problem .

Jamun is a Potassium –rich fruit which is good for heart health . Due to presence of Potassium minerals , Jamun fruit may be prevent any blockage in arteries , thus minimizing risk of heart disease . Potassium minerals is also good for high blood pressure patients as it negates effect of sodium on high blood pressure .

8.     improves appetite  -Jamun vinegar prepared from ripe Jamun is a stomachic that improves appetite . It has carminative property due to which it provides relief from gas or flatulence problem . It  also increase the production of urine due to its diuretic property . It is also some time useful in diarrhea due to its absorbent property .

9.     Preventing gut health - The Gut protective role of Jamun is due to the presence of Tannins in it . Several drug cause damage to inner lining of the Gut .Tannins  may reduce the damage caused by drugs and also minimize the concentration of free radicals in the Gut . Jamun fruits are useful for reducing abdomen fullness , abdominal discomfort , and burning sensation in the abdomen . The diuretic property of jamun helps to eliminate toxins from the kidney , and the fiber content of jamun helps in digestion and inhibit vomiting and nausea .

10.  Improving Liver function - Jamun acts as liver tonic and thus , protects it against liver damage . Jamun also contain rich amount of Anti-oxidants that scavenge the free radicals , which are formed in the liver during liver damage and thus  , it combats oxidative stress . Jamun may reduced the level of liver enzymes as well as blood sugar levels . Furthermore , it restored the normal function and structure of the liver /This means Jamun extract possesses liver protective activities .Jamun also increased the storage of glycogen in the liver and muscles and thus minimize the amount of glucose.

11.  Weight loss - Jamun are low in calories and can be effectively included in weight loss diet . The fruit is rich in fiber and can improve digestion . All these properties can together help with healthy weight loss  .

12.  Antioxidant Properties-  Jamun fruit is beneficial due to presence of antioxidants . This antioxidants properties present in jamun due to presence of Vitamin C, Gallic acid , Tannins , Anthocyanins , Cyanidin , Petunidin and Beta- carotene .Thses antioxidants along with other health promoting compounds scavenge free radicals and combat oxidative stress .

13.  Jamun seed may be lower blood sugar levels by potentiation of insulin effects by either increasing the secretion of insulin or by increasing its release from the bound form . Thus the hypoglycemic properties of Jamun seed may be due to its insulin stimulatory effects . Jamun seeds have rich amount of Flavonoids , which are powerful Anti-oxidant that may help flushing out harmful free radical from the body and also boost our immune system.

14.  Jamun seed churn may help the protect the Liver due to its Anti-oxidant properties . These Anti-oxidant to fight against the free radicals and then protects the liver cells . Jamun also has Anti-inflammation properties , which help reduces inflammation in the liver . It improve digestion by increasing our appetite and also provides strength to the liver due to its Deepan and  digestive  properties.

15.  Jamun leaves contain Anti-oxidants and have anti-virus , anti-inflammatory properties, while may be helping lower blood sugar level , treating constipation and eliminating allergies . The Bark of Jamun tree may be useful in preventing gingivitis and is also effective against infestation of worms in the body .

Chemical Properties of Jamun  -

1.     Major Bioactive compound found in the Jamun fruit pulp are Phytosterol , Flavonoids , Carotenoids , Myricetin ,Oxalic acid , Gallic acid , Citronellol and Polyphenols as well as micronutrients having many health benefit for us . Jamun pulp , as well as its peel , is a significant source of Phyto-chemicals .Purple color of Jamun is attributed to the presence of a Anthocyanins phytochemical , whereas its astringent taste is due to rich amount of tannins .

2.     Jamun seed contain two major bioactive compound i.e. Jambo line and Jambo sine , which  have medicinal properties that can facilitate quicker healing activities . Both compound are may be slow down the process of converting starch into sugar in blood  . These phyto-chemical may also helps in the reduction of glucose levels in the body by helping in increasing the insulin .  High Alkaloid content of jamun seed is also helping  in control high blood sugar level .

3.     Jamun fruit consist mainly of different Anthocyanins ( including 3,5-diglucoside , Cyanidin 3,5 diglucoside , Petunidin 3 o glucosides , and many others ) , Non-Anthocyanic phenolic compound ( such as 3-Glucoside , Ellagic acid , and Gallic acid, phenolic acid ) , and Flavonols ( such as Dihydroquercetin  diglucoside , diglucoside , dimethyl –dihyromyricetin  diglucoside , myricetin glucoside , Myrcetin pentoside , Flavanonols ) ,  Tannins  ( mostly  Ellagitannins )  .

4.     Anthocyanins are water soluble vacuolar pigments that, depending on their pH, may appear purple or blue color, which are belong to a Flavonoids  or Glycosides of Anthocyanidins  . It have minimize blood pressure, prevent diabetes disease , improve visual acuity , Anti-inflammatory and Anti-bacterial activity . In addition , Anthocyanins may work as Anti-oxidant and fighting against  free radical .

5.     Ellagic acid  is a natural occurring phenol Anti-oxidant  , it may be help to removes toxin from our body and protect harmful free radical . Ellagic acid is poorly absorbed and also eliminated quickly from the body . Gallic acid is a natural Anti-oxidant secondary poly-phenolic  metabolite , which are Trihydroxy-benzoic acid . It also have activities in Gastrointestinal,  metabolic , Anti-inflammatory and Cardiovascular disorder .

6.      Phenolic acid are derivatives of Benzoic and Cinnamic acid , which exhibit high Anti-oxidant  activity . Its absorbed easily through intestinal tract wall, which are very beneficial to human health . It prevents cellular damage due to free radical oxidation.

7.     Flavonoids present in the Jamun fruits may help our body to function more efficiently, and they protect it against everyday toxin and stress. Vitamin A , Zeaxanthin and Lutein found in Jamun fruit help to protect the eyes from age related macular degeneration. Myricetin  is a member of Flavonoids class of Polyphenolic compound ,which exhibit Anti-oxidant and free radical-scavenging effect . These activities to support Anti-platelet aggregation , Anti-hypertensive , Immuno-modulatory , Anti-inflammatory action . Ellagitannins also have Anti-inflammatory , Anti-oxidants , Cardio-protective activities .

8.     Jamun fruit pulp is rich in most common others compound containing   Isoquercetin , Kaemferol , Raffinose, Glucose , Fructose , Citric acid , Mallic acid , Delphinidin-3-gentobioside .  The seed contained  Alkaloid , Jambosine ,  glycoside , Gallic acid , Ellagic acid , 3,-6Hexahydroxy diphenyl-glucose , 1-Galloyglucose ,Quercetin , Beta –sitosterol.

9.     Nutritional value -Jamun fruit are enriched with many nutrients which are near about as per 100gm  ; Water 80 gm , Energy 62 kcal , Protein 0.70 gm , Fat 0.20 gm , Carbohydrates 15 gm  ( sugar and fiber ), Vitamins ( B1 , B2 ,B3 , B6 , Vitamin C ) , Minerals ( Potassium 80 mg , Calcium 20mg , Phosphorus 17 mg , Magnesium 14 mg , Sodium 13 mg , Iron 0.20 mg , Zinc  ) , Polyphenol ( in seed more than fruit pulp ) , Anthocyanin ( in fruit pulp more than seed ) , Tannins , pH value pulp  3.80 and seed 2.50. So , Jamun fruit is acidic and astringent in nature with sweet taste .

10.  Sodium and Potassium are two important electrolytes that are required for regulating blood pressure whereas Magnesium and calcium are vital for strong bones and teeth . Jamun pulp and seed also contain other mineral such as Zinc , Phosphorus , Iron , Copper , Manganese .

11.  Jamun fruit also contain sufficient quantity of Protein and Amino acid present , which include Alanine ( improving physical functioning )  , Tyrosine ( improve alertness , attention and focus )  , Cysteine ( help reduce the effects of aging on the skin ), Glutamine ( is an energy source for intestinal and immune cells ) and  also  Asparagine   ( balance nervous system function ) .

12.  Rich amount of Anti-oxidants present in Jamun fruit  include ;  Vitamin C, Gallic acid, Tannins Anthocyanins , Cyanidin , Petunidin , Malvidin-glucoside and Beta-Carotene , which fare very useful for us  . These anti-oxidants along with other compound scavenge free radicals and combat oxidative stress .

Side Effect of Jamun –

1.     Consumed Jamun fruit always with Kali Mirch and  kala namak or sendha namak should be added in juice or fruit  to prevent its side effect . Milk and tea should not be taken before and after eating  jamun fruit . It should not be taken with an empty stomach .

2.     Certain people may develop certain allergies after consumption of jamun fruit . In such case , stop eating and consult a doctor . Atherosclerosis and blood clot-related problem person not consumed Jamun fruit .

3.     Due to many Vitamin and Minerals it might be cause stomach upset and hyperacidity for some people with a weak digestive system .

Disclaimer –

        This article is only  for  educational  purpose , general information and is not for medicinal purpose . Medicinal purpose always consume   after consulting  doctor .