Seedless Jujube is a delicious fruit from Asia that is most commonly known as a red date or azufaifa, or a Chinese or Kumul date due to their similarities to standard dates. It is a plant that comes from the buckthorn family and can more commonly be found in both Northwestern and Northern China. The plant generates very small edible fruits that are oval in shape and easy to eat. Though it is now served all over the world today, it is used in traditional medicine for its purported health benefits in China.
What does Seedless Jujube taste like?
This seedless jujube has a texture, size and shape of a small olive or date. When you bite into a seedless jujube, it has a bright, crisp texture and flavor that is somewhat like an apple. Because of their small nature and vibrant flavor, they make a refreshing snack to enjoy by the handful during warm days.
Seedless Jujube
Are there any health benefits with this Seedless Jujube?
With their frequent use in Chinese medicine, studies have been done to see if there is anything substantial that seedless jujubes can do for a person's health. Some studies have shown that seedless jujube, both in the form of extracts and as the whole fruits, may be able to reduce blood pressure levels and help tackle serious issues such as liver disease.
Medical studies have also shown that these Chinese dates may also be able to alleviate the symptoms of anemia while helping to stop the growth of tumors that might otherwise lead to leukemia. Seedless Jujubes are also commonly used in skin care products for their antioxidant properties that may be able to not only reduce fine lines and wrinkles but also may be able to help nourish dry skin and soothe sunburn.
Many vitamins and minerals
Let's start with the many minerals and vitamins contained in dates (seedless jujube). Comparison/example: 100 grams of dates contain more vitamins in total than 100 grams of apple. Although an apple contains more vitamin C and E, the dried date is richer in vitamin A and the very important B vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7 and B9. The provitamin A, beta-carotene, not only gives the dates their orange-reddish colour, but also regulates cell growth in the body, controls the reactions of the immune system and reduces oxidation processes. With approx. 40 μg per 100 grams, the daily requirement of vitamin A cannot be covered alone but as a supplementary delicacy, the date is perfectly suited to replenish the household in an optimal way. The health effect is different with regard to the important B vitamins. Above all vitamins B3, B5 and B6 stand out in a particularly concentrated form. It should be mentioned that vitamin B3 is considered an outdated term in the literature and is now known as vitamin PP or niacin. Niacin or nicotinic acid is a major metabolism promoter, as it can be converted by the body into NAD or NADP, which as a hydride ion-transferring coenzyme is responsible for oxygen transport in the body. With over 5000 μg (including 3000 μg niacin equivalent) per 100 grams, the date is an excellent stimulant of the metabolism and is therefore also eaten by athletes as a sweet energy supplier every day. When it comes to minerals, the extensive "3 dates a day" guideline is not so wrong. Because even though Arabic dates contain many minerals, the high potassium content stands out. With about 660 mg per 100 grams, three dates perfectly cover the daily requirement of almost 2000 mg. Magnesium is also found in large quantities in the dried drupe. With approx. 51 mg, the daily requirement of 300 mg is optimally covered with just a few dates. To go back to the apple comparison again: With only 119 mg potassium and 5 mg magnesium per 100 grams, it is far behind and no longer competitive. Even the banana, known as the source of potassium, has less milligrams per 100 grams of this mineral than the date. But that is not enough. It also contains the minerals calcium (66 mg), chloride (183 mg) and phosphorus (61 mg) in above-average amounts. And one last time: with all these values, the proven apple has less than 10 mg per 100 grams.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect
A term usually reluctantly heard in connection with physical health is "oxidative stress". This refers to a metabolic condition characterized by a high concentration of reactive oxygen species. There is probably not much to do with this explanation so far. The consequences of this oxidative stress, however, are that the radicals released as a result want to fill their electron gap and extract these from molecules of the cell membrane, proteins or enzymes. These are then altered, which can cause physical damage. This accelerates the aging process and if a free radical uses unsaturated fatty acids, it contributes to the development of arteriosclerosis. To prevent or counteract this, medicine has long recommended and administered antioxidants. Today, however, due to numerous controversial results of clinical studies, a balanced diet is rather recommended as a preventive measure. A little fruit and vegetables every day will help. And this is where the link is made to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory healing effects of dates. The vitamins already mentioned and their high concentration in dates protect against oxidative stress. The high magnesium content is also important against inflammation. 51 mg per 100 grams is a real boost for such a small fruit! The mineral is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. The "School of Public Health" from Los Angeles published a study in 2010 which proved that magnesium inhibits inflammation on the vessel walls and can effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, arthritis or Alzheimer's.
Dates are good for the eyes
Dates contain a lot of vitamin A. This vitamin helps the cornea to regenerate itself and thus better protect the eye. They also contain the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin. These substances help the eye to filter UV rays better and vision can be maintained at a high level for longer. Vitamin A cares for the mucous membranes, thus ensuring the constant production of a healthy mucous membrane and protecting against dehydration.
Dates provide quick energy for brain and muscles
The key word in relation to the brain is pantothenic acid. More simply put, vitamin B5. To understand what pantothenic acid does in the brain, it is important to first understand the biochemical processes. To send signals back and forth between neurons, the brain needs the neurotransmitter aceytlcholine. In order to produce this, choline is needed, whose metabolism is stimulated by pantothenic acid. If the production of acetylcholine is sufficiently stimulated, the brain not only works more adequately, but memory is also stimulated. Connections within the brain can be bridged more quickly, making it easier to remember things long forgotten. The approach to muscle building is quite different. In sports, more and more athletes are turning to the small power packs. They contain no fat, but about 70 percent sugar, which is divided evenly into glucose and fructose. The fibre-rich fruits have the highest energy and crude fibre content among the fruits. Carbohydrates are the main supplier of energy for the body. Glucose provides the chemical energy for muscle work, anabolic processes and also brain performance. If the body is undersupplied with carbohydrates, it breaks down protein from the muscles to produce energy. Carbohydrates should always be taken in conjunction with dietary fibre. The reason for this is that it influences the activity of the intestines and promotes faster elimination of metabolic waste products. In addition, the feeling of satiety is increased and the carbohydrates are absorbed more slowly into the blood. As a result, the blood sugar level is not increased rapidly. Thus the glucose content in the dates is optimal for a quick boost of strength and provides the important energy for the muscles. The fructose in dates (Seedless Jujube), on the other hand, is absorbed more slowly, i.e. it is absorbed and transported more slowly in the blood and does not interfere with insulin metabolism. So the sugar not only supports muscle strength, but endurance athletes also have a long, even energy supply for their muscles. By balancing fructose and glucose, the date is the perfect fruit for sports! As already mentioned in the introduction: sugar is not just sugar. The mineral potassium is also very important for energy production, which is also abundantly contained in dates.
Good for the cardiovascular system
The benefits for the heart have already been indirectly touched upon in the previous topics. For example, the high potassium content in the Arabic fruits helps to lower blood pressure. It is beneficial in preventing arteriosclerosis. In this vascular disease, fats settle on the artery walls and increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack. The magnesium it contains also helps to keep blood vessels elastic. Those who normally reach for a banana to prevent potassium deficiency are also well advised to eat a few dates (Seedless Jujube). Calf cramps or palpitations are the result. Another important factor in the cardiovascular system is the LDL cholesterol mentioned above. Although this type of cholesterol is essential for life, it can promote arteriosclerosis if it is too concentrated. Accordingly, various ingredients of the date, such as polyphenols, can help to lower the "bad" LDL cholesterol and increase the "good" HDL cholesterol. Furthermore, the date has an iron content of 1,950 μg, a very important trace element. Iron supports the cardiovascular system to a high degree, a deficiency can lead to palpitations and other heart rhythm disturbances.
Dates (Seedless Jujube) improve blood formation and stimulate the metabolism
With the keyword iron we come to blood formation. Because the trace element in haemoglobin not only transports oxygen, but also ensures the formation of this red blood pigment, haemoglobin. It consists to a considerable extent of iron. The body needs about 10-15 mg of this trace element per day to ensure optimal oxygen transport in the blood. What at first glance seems very little, however, must be taken in food throughout the day. As a small snack after a meal, the date is therefore a perfect supplement for the iron balance in the body. Dates (Seedless Jujube) also stimulate the metabolism and counteract oxidative stress. The antioxidant healing effect therefore not only has an effect on the free radicals in the body and binds them, as already explained, but also allows the body to operate a purer, better metabolism.
