Resembling palm date in appearance, Ber or jujube is a sweet and tart green fruit that is cultivated widely in the tropical parts of countries such as India, China, and Australia. In India, China, and several other South Eastern Asian countries, jujube is highly valued as a medicinal plant that boasts tonnes of health benefits and a rich nutritional profile.
In Ayurveda, jujube is used extensively as an effective herbal medicine. Its fruits, seed, and leaves are valued for their healing characteristics. The vitamins C and B-rich fruit is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat excessive thirst, fever, acidity, and even bleeding disorder. Jujube fruit pulp mixed with honey is also used as a mask to heal skin infections.
Nutritional profile
1 raw jujube fruit has 22 calories, 5.6 grams of carbohydrates, 0. 4 grams of protein, 0.06 grams of total fat, 69.3 mg of vitamin C, 1 mg of sodium, and 250 mg of potassium. 6 mg of phosphorous, 3 mg of magnesium, 0.3 mg of niacin, 5 % daily value of vitamin B6, and 2 % of the daily value of calcium.
Amazing health benefits of Jujube
1. Helps increase appetite- People who wish to increase their appetite should consume jujube.
2. High in antioxidants- Jujube fruit is an excellent source of antioxidants such as flavonoids, polysaccharides, and triterpenic acids. All of these chemical compounds prevent cell damage caused by the free radicals we are exposed to present in polluted air, water, and sunlight.
3. Helps in weight loss- Jujube fruit is a rich source of protein and fibre, along with having a very low-calorie content. Eating a few jujube fruits not only satisfies our nutritional needs but also decrease our glucose levels.
4. Promotes sound sleep- In Chinese medicine, jujube fruit is used to treat insomnia and promote better sleep. This is because jujube fruit is rich in flavonoids such as saponins and polysaccharides that have sedative properties. Therefore, it is recommended to drink jujube tea before going to bed as it has a calming effect on the nervous system and promotes sound sleep.
5. Reduces instances of constipation- Jujube fruit has a high-water content and is also high in fibre. It is commonly used as a remedy for constipation as it increases the frequency of bowel elimination by shortening the gastrointestinal transit time and by increasing the short-chain fatty acid content of the cecum.
6. Improves blood circulation- Jujube fruit is rich in essential nutrients such as potassium, manganese, zinc, iron, and phosphorous which helps maintain proper cardiac health, improve haemoglobin count, and regulate proper blood flow in the system.
7. Improves brain function- Studies have shown that jujube fruits possess neuro-protective efforts that promote memory and learning. Certain chemical compounds present in the fruit relieve anxiety and insomnia. It also seems to have a positive effect on neurotransmitters and stress hormones.
8. Improve immunity- Jujube fruit is rich in vitamin C, a vitamin whose function is to maintain a healthy immune system.
9. Improves skin texture- Jujube is a good source of vitamins such as beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin B which help play an important role in improving skin texture and making it glow.
10. Maintains electrolyte balance- Jujube fruit is a rich source of important minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, and iron which helps to maintain proper electrolyte balance in the blood.
11. Reduces heavy metal content in breast milk- Consuming jujube fruit on a regular basis helps in the reduction of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic in the milk produced by lactating mothers.
While jujube fruits have many health benefits but at the same time it also has several drawbacks. For instance, consuming too many jujube fruits often can lead to frequent defecation during the day. Studies also show that this fruit interacts negatively with antidepressant and seizure medication.
