Jamun is an important summer fruit in India. It has a high nutritional value and proven medicinal properties. The consumption of Jamun can give the body the ability to fight several diseases, thereby leading you to overall health and well-being. The intake of Jamuns is particularly beneficial in managing Diabetes, which is a metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from defects in insulin secretion and its action.
Jamun —Syzygiumcuminior Indian Blackberry — is commonly called black plum, Malabar plum or Java plum. The Sanskrit name of the fruit is ‘Jambu.’ The fruit has a sweet taste and is acidic and astringent in nature. It is a mineral-rich fruit, with a low-calorie count. The main sugars found in the ripe Jamun fruit are glucose and fructose.
The Jamun fruit — mainly its seeds –are specifically mentioned in classical Ayurveda texts for its benefits in managing a number of health conditions, including digestive disorders and Diabetes. Besides Ayurveda, Jamun seeds are also widely used for the preparation of Unani and Chinese medications.
Jamun Seeds for Diabetics
Jamun fruit and its seeds are believed to have remarkable properties as an anti-diabetic. Jamun seeds can provide sufficient nourishment to the body because of the abundance of fibre, vitamins, minerals, and water. The intake of Jamun seeds can bring about a significant reduction in the blood glucose level, along with regulating the insulin levels.
Jamun seeds are considered to be an incredible healing medication for people suffering from Diabetes and a number of other health conditions. The health benefits of Jamun seeds include the ability to control Diabetes, regulate blood pressure, purify the blood, manage stomach-related ailments, and help in detoxification of the body.
The effectiveness of the use of Jamun seeds for Diabetes management can be elaborated with the help of the following points:
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According to Ayurveda, Jamun seeds and pulp have astringent and anti-diuretic properties that can help reduce frequent urination. In addition, they also have hypoglycaemic and antioxidant properties due to which they can reduce sugar in the blood and manage diabetes in a natural way.
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The ability of Jamun seeds in controlling Diabetes is largely a result of the presence of two main substances — jambosine and jambolana. These two substances have the capability to slow down the process of conversion of starch into sugar. The metabolised starch in the food can lower the chances of a sudden increase in blood sugar levels.
The benefits of Jamun seeds are particularly significant for managing Type 2 diabetes. In this condition, the patients do not have sufficient insulin levels to act on blood glucose, either due to low production of insulin in the pancreas or rapid degradation of the insulin that is produced. Jamun seeds can increase insulin secretion and prevent its rapid degradation, thereby ensuring greater availability of insulin.
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Jamun seeds are anti-diabetic in nature, chiefly in terms of lowering the sugar levels in blood and urine because the Jamun fruit does not contain any sucrose. The hypoglycaemic activity of Jamun seed extracts — due to the abundance of alkaloids– is considered to be more effective than standard anti-diabetic drugs.
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Jamun seeds are known for their ability to lower the complications linked to diabetes, such as cataract, fatigue, hormonal problems, and neuropathy.
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The Jamun fruit and its seeds have a low glycemic index. The regular consumption of Jamun, or the use of its seeds, during the summer season, can be beneficial in converting starch into energy and keeping the blood sugar levels in check.
Ways to Include Jamun Seeds in Your Diet
If you are suffering from Diabetes, you can use Jamun seeds in your diet in a simple manner, by powdering the seeds after cleaning them thoroughly. After a few days of using you will be able to know the benefits of Java Plum. The use of Jamun seed powder — which is also available commercially — can be immensely beneficial in Diabetes management when the powder, mixed in water, is consumed orally every day to reduce fasting blood glucose.
To use Jamun seeds in the diet, you can powder the seeds by following the steps given below:
- Remove the seeds of the Jamuns after washing them thoroughly.
- Clean the remaining fruit pulp on the seeds.
- Sundry the seeds on a clean cloth for around four days.
- Peel off the outer shell of the properly dried seeds and collect the inner green part (cotyledons) of the seeds.
- Break the cotyledons of the seeds into smaller pieces, and sundry them for 2-3 more days.
- When the cotyledons have dried completely, grind them in a mixer.
- Filter the coarse powder using a strainer, to get a smooth powder.
- Store the powdered Jamun seeds in an air-tight container, and use when required.
How to use Jamun seeds powder
As a Diabetic patient, you can get benefit from the use of Jamun seeds powder by consuming it on a regular basis. You should mix one teaspoon of the powder in a glassful of water and take it every morning, on an empty stomach. Furthermore, the Jamun seeds powder can also be consumed before every meal by Diabetics patients, in order to keep their sugar levels under control naturally.
Along with the regular use of Jamun seeds powder, Diabetic patients can consume fresh Jamun fruit at any time of the day, to regulate their sugar levels.
Conclusion:
The benefits of Java Plum is undeniable. Diabetic patients should include the Jamun fruit in their daily diet or use the powder of Jamun seeds regularly, for controlling their sugar levels by ensuring an enhanced insulin activity and sensitivity. The powder of Jamun seeds can be taken as an adjuvant for Type-2 diabetes, insulin-dependent or non-insulin dependent. The Jamun fruit and its seeds provide real benefits at the Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) stage, by enabling the regulation of IFG to prevent the occurrence of Diabetes and conditions associated with it.
Besides using fresh Jamun fruit and Jamun seeds, there are some other ways in which Diabetic patients can include Jamuns in their daily diet. Some of these ways are:
- Have Jamun juice for breakfast (especially during June, July and August months), for increasing immunity and several other health benefits
- Prepare Jamun pancakes by adding the pulp of Jamuns to wheatflour
- Consume Jamun-flavored yoghurt
- Prepare Jamun milkshakes
- Use Jamuns for preparing smoothies, ice-cream, and other desserts
- Use Jamuns in fruit salads
- Drink fizzy Jamun-lemon soda
- Use Jamun jams and jellies.
Author Bio
Vikram Chauhan, MD – AYURVEDA is an expert Ayurvedic practitioner based in Chandigarh, India and doing his practice in Mohali, India. He is spreading the knowledge of Ayurveda Ancient healing treatment, not only in India but also abroad. He is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Products, Planet Ayurveda Clinic, and Krishna Herbal Company.
