Jujube has been used to alleviate stress, reduce inflammation, and enhance immune health for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Read on to learn more about the potential health benefits of this fruit, as well as its other uses, interactions, and risks.<\/p>\n
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Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba<\/em>) is a fruit-bearing plant first domesticated in South Asia around 9,000 B.C. Jujube is known by more than 40 names around the world, being \u201cred date\u201d and \u201cChinese date\u201d the most common ones in English. The two most popular varieties are Li and Lang.<\/p>\n Traditionally used in Chinese medicine, Jujube is still used today to treat digestive disorders, high blood pressure, inflammation, fever, insomnia, and skin infections. More recently, jujube has been used in the food industry as a food additive and flavoring [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube is a natural source of active compounds such as flavonoids and triterpenoids [R<\/a>, R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n Jujube also contains many essential vitamins and minerals such as<\/strong> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n Jujube fruit powder (3x\/day for one month) decreased total <\/strong>cholesterol<\/strong><\/a> and \u201cbad\u201d cholesterol (<\/strong>LDL<\/strong><\/a>) levels in a clinical trial on 70 obese adolescents with high blood fat levels. <\/strong>This may reduce the risk of heart disease by preventing artery hardening [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In another trial on 116 people with type 2 diabetes, a balanced diet in combination with jujube infusion (10 g\/100 mL boiling water) before meals for 12 weeks lowered triglycerides<\/a>, total cholesterol, and \u201cbad\u201d cholesterol (LDL) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Similarly, it increased the levels of \u201cgood\u201d cholesterol (HDL<\/a>) in diabetic and insulin<\/a>-resistant mice [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In diabetic rats, jujube extract reduced oxidative stress<\/a> and thickening of arterial walls [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Although limited, the evidence suggests that jujube may reduce the risk of heart disease by improving blood fat profile. You may use jujube as a complementary approach if your doctor determines that it may be helpful in your case. Importantly, never take it in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes.<\/p>\n In a clinical trial on 11 healthy people, dried jujube fruits reduced blood sugar spikes after meals<\/strong>, especially if combined with almonds [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In another trial on 116 people with type 2 diabetes, a balanced diet combined with jujube infusion (10 g\/100 mL boiling water) before meals for 12 weeks reduced a marker of poor blood sugar control <\/strong>(glycosylated hemoglobin<\/a>) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube carbohydrates lowered fasting<\/a> blood sugar and insulin levels in mice and rats with diabetes or fed a high-fructose diet [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Again, limited evidence suggests that jujube may help improve blood sugar control. You may discuss with your doctor if this fruit may benefit you. Remember that you should never take jujube instead of antidiabetic medication prescribed by your doctor.<\/p>\n An herbal tea with jujube fruits, Astragalus<\/a> root, and Angelica gigas<\/em><\/a> root consumed daily for 4 weeks improved <\/strong>sleep <\/strong><\/a>quality and reduced fatigue<\/strong> in a clinical trial on 20 people [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Suan Zao Ren Tang<\/em> is a concoction containing jujube used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat insomnia. In a clinical trial on 90 people, this remedy improved sleep quality<\/strong> and efficiency. <\/strong>Suan Zao Ren Tang <\/em>was also effective in combination with another traditional Chinese medicine<\/strong> (Zhi Zi Chi Tang<\/em>) in another trial on 119 people with insomnia and anxiety [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, a complex with jujube extract (4.5 g\/tablet), milk protein, hops<\/a> extract, vitamin B6<\/a>, and magnesium taken daily for 2 weeks was not more effective than placebo at improving sleep quality<\/strong> in a clinical trial on 171 people [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube produced calming (sedative) effects in mice at higher doses [R,<\/a> R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Spinosyn, found in jujube, decreased the time to fall asleep<\/a> and increased sleep<\/a> length in mice [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujubosides in jujube fruit increased the duration of REM sleep in rats [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Although the results of most clinical trials are promising, they all tested jujube as part of multi-herbal extracts, making the specific contribution of jujube difficult to estimate. More clinical trials with jujube alone are needed to establish its effects.<\/p>\n In a clinical trial on 37 chronically constipated people, jujube extract reduced constipation and increased quality of life <\/strong>[R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube leaf extract protected against castor oil<\/a>-induced diarrhea and alcohol-induced stomach ulcers in rats [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube extract also shortened digestion time and protected against oxidative stress and excess gut ammonia in rodents [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A single clinical trial and some animal research cannot be considered sufficient evidence to claim that jujube improves digestive issues. Larger, more robust clinical trials are needed to validate these preliminary results.<\/p>\n Two traditional Chinese formulations (Suan Zao Ren Tang <\/em>and Zhi Zi Chi Tang<\/em>) reduced anxiety and sleep disturbances in a clinical trial on 119 people when taken in combination daily for 4 weeks [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube seeds significantly reduced anxiety in mice. Their component sanjoinine A, was as effective as the anti-anxiety medication Valium [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube seeds also contain saponins like jujuboside A and B, which increase GABA<\/a> receptor activity. Depression<\/a> and anxiety are linked to low GABA levels [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Inflammation may be involved in the development and progression of depression<\/a>. A concoction with jujube, wheat, hawthorn, and lily decreased depressive symptoms and the levels of a pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-\u03b1<\/a>) in mice [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A single clinical trial (using jujube in combination with several other extracts) and some animal research are insufficient to support this potential health benefit of jujube. Further clinical research testing jujube alone is needed to establish its potential use against anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n In a clinical trial on 40 women who had recently given birth, those who ate fresh jujube fruits daily had lower concentrations of toxic heavy metals<\/a> such as lead and cadmium in their breast milk [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Larger, more robust clinical trials are needed to confirm this preliminary result.<\/p>\n Jujube bark was successfully tested in adhesive discs to deliver drugs to patients with mouth disease in both a gelatin layer and a small trial on 10 healthy volunteers. Further research is needed until jujube bark can be used as part of drug delivery systems [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Rats given jujube extract before alcohol had improved spatial memory and learning capacity [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube extract increased nerve cell growth and development in the dentate gyrus of mice [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Estrogen<\/a>-deficient rats treated with jujube had improved learning and memory function. Jujube also increased estrogen levels in the blood and acetylcholine<\/a> levels in the brain [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube extract protected against seizures, improved brain function, and reduced oxidative stress in epileptic rats [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Glutamate<\/a> is an important excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Too much glutamate may cause brain damage in conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, or Parkinson\u2019s. Jujuboside A, a compound in jujube, reduced glutamate levels [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Amyloid beta (A\u03b2) plaques are involved in the development of Alzheimer<\/a>\u2019s<\/a> disease. Ziziphus mucronota, <\/em>a close relative of jujube with some of the same active compounds, <\/em>reduced the toxic effects of A\u03b2 plaques in human brain cells [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Astrocytes are star-shaped cells found in the brain that protect neurons by releasing growth factors and controlling antioxidant enzyme levels. Jujube extract improved their function in cell-based studies [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube is rich in vitamin C<\/a> (534.94 mg\/100 g). This vitamin supports immune function and prevents infections by increasing the production of beneficial inflammatory cytokines [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Betulinic acid found in jujube fruit protected immune cells from inflammation caused by an anticancer drug (doxorubicin) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n CKBM is a jujube-containing concoction commonly used for inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. CKBM reduced inflammatory cytokine (IFN-gamma<\/a>) production in a study in immune cells (T and B cells) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube has been traditionally used to treat eczema. In a study in mice, jujube essential oil (1% and 10%) reduced skin inflammation [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube essential oil (1%) applied to shaved skin increased the number of hair follicles and hair length in mice [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube extract had antibacterial activity against potentially infectious bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus<\/em> (MRSA) and E. coli<\/em>, in test tubes [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Jujube was also slightly toxic to many species of fungi, including Candida<\/em><\/a> albicans<\/em> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Betulinic acid from jujube prevented the replication and development of the HIV-1 virus [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Note, however, that these are very preliminary results that haven\u2019t been replicated in humans and even in animals. More studies are needed to determine if jujube, when ingested at normal doses, may be of any use against the infections caused by these microorganisms.<\/p>\n<\/a>Active Compounds in Jujube<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Flavonoids<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Triterpenoids<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Others<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Snapshot<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Proponents<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a>Skeptics<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a>Health Benefits<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Possibly Effective:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>1) Heart Health <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>2) Blood Sugar<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Insufficient Evidence<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>1) Sleep Quality<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>2) Digestive Health<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>3) Anxiety and Depression<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>4) Removing Heavy Metals from Breast Milk<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>5) Drug Delivery<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Animal and Cell Research (Lack of Evidence)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Cognitive Function<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Seizures<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Reducing Brain Damage<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Immunity and Inflammation<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Skin Health<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Hair Growth<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Infections<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n