The nutritional value and efficacy of jujube

Jujube is the king of fruits. It is rich in vitamins A, B, C and other essential vitamins for the human body, as well as 18 kinds of amino acids and minerals. The content of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is 70-80 times that of grapes and apples. The content of rutin (vitamin P) is also high. These two vitamins have certain effects on preventing cancer and preventing hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

Introduction of jujube

Jujube, also known as red dates, dried dates, and jujubes, originated in China and has a planting history of more than 4,000 years in China. Since ancient times, it has been listed as one of the "five fruits" (peach, plum, plum, apricot, and jujube). Jujube is rich in nutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, carotene, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin P, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Among them, the content of vitamin C ranks among the top in fruits, and it is known as the king of vitamins.

Nutritional value of jujube

The sugars contained in jujube are mainly glucose, but also fructose, sucrose, oligosaccharides composed of glucose and fructose, arabinose and galactomannan. In addition, an acidic polysaccharide named jujube pectin A was found in jujube.

Jujubes also contain vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamine, carotene, nicotinic acid and other vitamins.

In addition, jujube contains resin, mucilage, coumarin derivatives, catechol, tannin, volatile oil, 13 kinds of amino acids and 36 kinds of trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, iron and selenium.

The efficacy and function of jujube

Anti-tumor

The cAMP in jujube participates in many physiological and biochemical processes in the body, such as cell division and differentiation, morphogenesis, glycogen and fat decomposition, and steroid production, and can act on gene transcription and affect protein synthesis. More importantly, cAMP has a significant therapeutic effect on the treatment of various tumors, and can effectively prevent the formation of nitrites in the human body, thereby inhibiting the formation and proliferation of cancer cells, and can even transform cancer cells into normal cells. In addition, the triterpenoid compounds rich in jujube have the effect of inhibiting cancer cells, especially hawthorn acid, which has the strongest effect, even exceeding the commonly used anticancer drug fluorouracil.

■ Antioxidant

The rich vitamin C in jujube has strong antioxidant activity and promotes collagen synthesis. It can participate in the redox reaction of tissue cells and is related to the metabolism of various substances in the body. Adequate vitamin C can promote growth and development, enhance physical strength, and reduce fatigue.

■Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol

The vitamin P content in jujube is the highest among all fruits and vegetables. It can maintain capillary permeability, improve microcirculation and thus prevent arteriosclerosis, and can also promote the accumulation of vitamin C in the human body. In addition, the saponins contained in jujube have the functions of regulating human metabolism, enhancing immunity, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels; the rutin contained in jujube can protect the patency of capillaries and prevent the increase of blood vessel wall fragility.

It has the function of treating hypertension, arteriosclerosis and other diseases; the flavonoids it contains can be used for the treatment and prevention of hypertension and arteriosclerosis.

■ Liver protection

The fructose, glucose, oligosaccharides and acidic polysaccharides in jujubes are involved in protecting the liver. Jujubes can significantly increase the total serum protein and albumin in rabbits with carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage. At the same time, jujubes can improve the phagocytic function of monocytes in the body, protect the liver and enhance physical strength; vitamin C and cAMP in jujubes can reduce the damage of chemical drugs to the liver, and promote protein synthesis and increase the total serum protein content.

In clinical practice, jujube can be used as an auxiliary treatment for chronic hepatitis and early cirrhosis.