What are the benefits and effects of jujube, and how many should you eat per day at most?

As the saying goes “Eat three jujubes a day, and you will never look old in your life.” When it comes to foods for women to replenish qi and blood, everyone thinks of jujubes. In fact, the benefits and effects of jujubes go far beyond replenishing blood. So what other benefits and effects do jujubes have? What are the benefits of drinking them steeped in water? How many should you eat per day at most?

I. Introduction to Jujube

Jujube is actually the red date we usually eat. Jujubes also contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and many other vitamins. In addition, jujubes contain 13 kinds of amino acids and 36 kinds of trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, magnesium and sodium.

Nutritional value per 100 g of fresh jujube

Nutritional value per 100 g of dried jujube

II. Benefits and Effects of Jujube

1. Nature, flavor and meridian tropism of jujube: sweet, warm. It enters the spleen, stomach and heart meridians.

2. Benefits and effects of jujube: tonify the middle and augment qi, nourish blood and calm the mind.

(1) Tonify qi and nourish blood

Jujube is sweet in flavor and enters the spleen, and it is very rich in various vitamins, so it can nourish the qi of the spleen and stomach.

(2) Promote sleep and calm the mind

When women sometimes experience symptoms such as irritability, crying and restlessness, or mental unease, they can take jujubes. Jujubes have the effects of tonifying the spleen, nourishing blood and calming the mind.

(3) Beautify and nourish the skin

There is a folk saying “Eat three jujubes a day, and you will not look old at a hundred,” eating a few jujubes every day can beautify the face and moisturize the skin.

(4) Strengthen the spleen and nourish the stomach

Jujubes have the effect of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach. People with weak spleen and stomach, diarrhea, or fatigue and weakness can eat an appropriate amount of jujubes every day to supplement nutrition.

(5) Protect the liver

Jujubes have the function of reducing damage to the liver from toxic substances. Cooking them into porridge with rice is very beneficial for nourishing the spleen and protecting the liver in patients with hepatitis.

(6) Enhance immunity and prevent hair loss

Jujubes contain cyclic adenosine monophosphate and iron, which can enhance the body's immunity and also prevent hair loss. They are very suitable for people with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold, and for people with weak constitutions.

3. How to eat jujubes

Generally, for dietary therapy it is best to choose dried red jujubes. Although the vitamin content of dried red jujubes decreases, the iron content increases, and their nutrients are more easily absorbed.

(1) Steamed jujubes

Use 5 large jujubes or 8 small jujubes, steam them directly and take them, which can enhance the body's immunity and prevent asthma.

(2) Jujube tea or jujube water

After frying jujubes until black, steep them directly to make tea, or directly steep dried jujubes in water to drink.

(3) Jujube soup

Jujubes can generally be paired with many medicinal herbs or meat foods to make soup, and you can choose the pairing according to what you need.

(4) Jujubes boiled with egg

Boil jujubes, brown sugar and longan together. When the jujubes are cooked soft, crack in an egg and continue to simmer over low heat.

(5) Jujube porridge

Use jujubes with an appropriate amount of lily bulb, lotus seed and millet to make porridge, which can better bring out the calming effect of jujubes.

(6) Jujube infused in liquor

III. Benefits and Effects of Drinking Jujubes Steeped in Water

Generally, when steeping them in water or making tea, dried red jujubes are used. Choose large red jujubes, especially those produced in Xinjiang, as the taste will be better.

1. Nourish blood and qi

2. Detoxify and nourish the liver

3. Beautify and care for the skin

4. Calm the mind and aid sleep

5. Relieve cough and moisten the lungs

6. Strengthen the spleen and benefit the stomach

IV. How Many Jujubes a Day Is Best?

1. Daily amount: Experts suggest that eating 4-5 a day is fine, and at most no more than 10. Jujubes contain 250 mg of potassium per 100 g. For patients with impaired kidney function, it is not advisable to eat a lot at one time, otherwise it can easily lead to serious consequences such as cardiac arrest.

2. People who should not eat many jujubes: people with kidney disease, severe damp-heat, yellow tongue coating, diabetes, or weak digestive function.

Conclusion: Jujubes are a very warming and nourishing food for women. They can not only be steeped in water but also made into porridge or soup. In daily life, female friends may as well eat 4 or 5 jujubes every day, but do not overdo it. Do not think that the more you eat, the more you replenish. An appropriate amount is enough.