Berry Berry Healthy

“Black jamuns” they say are the best cure for Diabetes, among other ailments.For many of us, the black jammun is best eaten with a generous pinch of sea salt and a dash of pepper. But there are many other ways in which this native fruit can be eaten.

Jambul or jamun or jamblang is an evergreen tropical tree in the flowering plant family Myrtaceae, native of India, Pakistan and Indonesia. It is now also grown in other parts of southern Asia including Myanmar and Afghanistan. In Brazil, where it was introduced from India during Portuguese colonization, it has dispersed spontaneously in the wild in some places, as its fruits are eagerly sought by various native birds such as thrushes, tanagers and the great kiskadee.

The fruit is oblong, starts out as green and turn from pink to shiny crimson to black as it matures. A variant of the tree produces white coloured fruit .The fruit has a combination of sweet, mildly sour and astringent flavour and tends to colour the tongue purple. The seed is also used in various alternative healing like ayurveda (to control diabetes), Unani & Chinese medicine to cure digestive ailments. The leaves and bark are used for controlling blood pressure and gingivitis while wine and vinegar are also made from the fruit.

BUYING BLACK JAMUNS

The jamuns sold in the markets are available in various sizes. The larger varieties are not necessarily the best ones. Look for fruits that has a dark, smooth, unblemished skin and is firm to the touch. Although the soft, pulpy kind is also sweet, make sure the fruit is not overripe.

STORING BLACK JAMUNS

If kept in the fridge, the fruit can last for a good five days. But they tend to ripen and thus lose much of the flavour. That is why it is advisable to consume black jamuns the very day you buy them.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

If you suffer from diabetes, then this is the perfect fruit for you. It contains the enzyme jamboline, which helps control your blood sugar level. Another option is to dry seeds, powder them and have a bit of the powder every day. This will help regulate your blood pressure.

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) Energy 251 kJ (60 kcal), Carbohydrates 15.56 g, Fat 0.23 g, Protein 0.72 g, Water 83.13 g, Vitamin A 3 IU, Thiamine (vit. B₁) 0.006 mg(1%), Riboflavin (vit. B₂) 0.012 mg(1%), Niacin (vit. B₃) 0.260 mg (2%), Pantothenic acid (B₅) 0.160 mg (3%), Vitamin B₆ 0.038 mg (3%), Vitamin C 14.3 mg (17%), Calcium 19 mg (2%), Iron 0.19 mg (1%), Magnesium 15 mg (4%), Phosphorus 17 mg (2%), Potassium 79 mg (2%), Sodium 14 mg (1%)Source USDA nutrient database.