What to Know About Eating Jujube Fruit (Chinese Dates)

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsProfileHealth BenefitsReasons to AvoidWhere to Find

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Table of Contents

Profile

Health Benefits

Reasons to Avoid

Where to Find

Jujubefruit is a round, oval, or similarly shaped small fruit native to South Asia and East Asia.It is sometimes called a red date or Chinese date, even though it contains seeds instead of a pit as a date would. The jujube fruit is entirely edible.

Jujube fruit is packed with nutrients, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C.It is low in calories and can be eaten as fresh fruit or dried snacks. Jujube is also available as a juice and in other forms.

Used in alternative medicine, jujube fruit is believed to have various health benefits, including managing inflammation, improving sleep, and relieving digestive troubles.

Jujube Fruit Profile

When people hear the word “jujube,” they may think of the sticky, multi-flavored candy drops often sold at movie theaters. But those gummy candies are not the same as the jujube fruit.

Jujube fruit is unique in its taste and appearance. It is available in various forms, including fresh anddried fruit.

Taste and Appearance

Jujube fruit is about the size of an olive or small date. Despite also being called a red date, the jujube fruit is not always a red color. Fresh jujube sometimes looks like a tiny, green apple.

Fresh jujube tastes like an apple, while dried jujube tastes much sweeter, similar to a date. When dried, it turns red, becomes wrinkled like a date, and eventastes like a date.

Popular Forms

Jujube can be eaten raw or dried.Additional forms of jujube forms include:

The jujube fruit is also available in supplement form, including gummies, powders, extracts, and capsules.

Ziziphus JujubaScientifically known asZiziphus jujuba, the jujube fruit comes from a small shrub called the jujube tree. The tree is a species of Ziziphus in theRhamnaceae, or the buckthorn plant family. The fruits that grow on the jujube tree are types of stone fruit.

Ziziphus Jujuba

Scientifically known asZiziphus jujuba, the jujube fruit comes from a small shrub called the jujube tree. The tree is a species of Ziziphus in theRhamnaceae, or the buckthorn plant family. The fruits that grow on the jujube tree are types of stone fruit.

Serving Size and Nutrition Benefits

Jujube fruit is loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, andantioxidants.It has a highdietary fibercontent. Jujube fruit is also low in calories.

Its high vitamin, mineral, antioxidant, and fiber profile boosts many health benefits, including promoting a healthyimmune system, reducinginflammation,supportingcardiovascular health, and more.

Just three jujube fruits (3 ounces or 100 grams) provide:

Dried jujubes are much higher in sugar and calories.This is because sugars in the fruit become concentrated during the drying process, or additional sweeteners are added during processing.

Boosts Immune System Health

Jujube is an excellent source of vitamin C, which can significantly benefit the immune system.Regular consumption of vitamin C supports your ability to fightinfectionsand may shorten the duration ofcolds.

The body does not produce vitamin C on its own, so you must get enough vitamin C in your diet. Just three jujube fruits can provide around 75% of the daily vitamin C requirement.

Has Anticancer Properties

Many of the compounds found in the jujube fruit—triterpene acids,flavonoids, cerebrosides, phenolic acids, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and polysaccharides—have been found to slow down the growth of cancer cells and even kill some types of cancer cells.

As a result, there is a lot of interest in examining jujube as a potential treatment and preventive therapy for cancer.

Improves Digestion and Promotes a Healthy Gut

Jujube’s high fiber content may help improve digestion and preventconstipation.It can also promote healthy bowel movements and support a healthygut microbiome.

A healthy gut microbiome is the balance of microbes in the gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.Each person’s microbiome is unique and vital to theirdigestiveand overall health.

Your Digestive System and How It Works

Promotes Better Sleep

Jujube fruits and their seeds have been used in Chinese medicine to treat sleep troubles. Jujube’s phenolics, flavonoids, and triterpenic saponins are among its active components.These can act as natural sedatives and have soothing effects on thenervous system.

One study reported in 2024 aimed to determine the effect of jujube seed capsules onsleep qualityinpostmenopausalwomen (those who have gone through menopause, when the menstrual cycle stops for 12 consecutive months).Researchers found that jujube seed supplements had a positive effect on sleep quality and could be a potential herbal option for managing sleep troubles.

A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man,” as its sources do.

A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology

Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man,” as its sources do.

Reduces Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Jujube fruit has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.Research shows that they can benefit inflammation, be a potential treatment for inflammatory diseases, and offer pain relief.

The jujube fruit also contains potent amounts of antioxidants, including vitamin C.Antioxidants can repair and stop cell damage and reduceoxidative stressin the body. Jujube’s antioxidant properties have widespread protection for the entire body, including forliver and heart health.

What Is Oxidative Stress?

Supports Heart Health and Blood Pressure

Jujube’s anti-inflammatory effects, combined with its potassium, magnesium,and antioxidant content, may help keepblood pressureunder control and support a healthy cardiovascular system.

The antioxidants in the jujube fruit reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially lowering the risk ofheart disease.The fruit’s higher fiber content can also reducecholesterol levels, further improving cardiovascular health.

Supports Mental and Cognitive Health

The jujube fruit is believed to have a soothing effect on the mind. It has traditionally been used as a naturalantidepressantandantianxiety treatment.

The jujube fruit may also have cognitive effects. One 2017 study found that it boosted neuroprotective effects and could promote memory and learning.

May Lower Blood Glucose Levels

Research on jujube fruit for managingdiabeteshas found that the fruit has beneficial effects on blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.It may also help manage total cholesterol andtriglyceridesto reduce your risk for heart disease.

Can You Eat Fruit With Diabetes?

Few adverse side effects of the jujube fruit have been reported.It is unlikely to have any reaction when the fruit is consumed in reasonable amounts except in people who are allergic to it.

If you have an ongoing health condition or take regular medication, check with your healthcare provider before using the fruit as a treatment. This is especially important for people taking medications to treat depression, anxiety, blood pressure, or aheart condition.

Jujube may affectblood sugar levels, so it is a good idea to monitor your blood sugar numbers if you have diabetes and take medications to control the disease.

Some specific components in the fruit, mainly the saponins, have been found to interact with several medications, includinganti-seizure drugs, such as Tegretol (carbamazepine), phenobarbital, and phenytoin.If you take any of these medications, check with your healthcare provider regarding jujube’s safety for you.

Jujube supplements may interact with other medications and supplements. Consult with your healthcare provider before adding jujube as a supplement.

Where to Source Jujube

Fresh jujube fruit is difficult to find in the United States, but dried fruit can be found online or at a well-stocked health food store. You may be able to find fresh jujube at local farmers markets or a local Asian specialty market.

Jujube teas and jams, candied jujubes, and jujube supplements can be found online, in health food stores, or in local specialty markets.

If you want to take jujube supplements, consult with your healthcare provider and follow the instructions on the product’s label for dosing and recommended use. Always purchase your supplements from reputable companies to get the best product possible.

23 Healthiest, Most Nutritious Fruits to Eat, According to a Dietitian

Summary

Jujube fruits, also known as red or Chinese dates, are sweet fruits that are low in calories and high in fiber and antioxidants. They have many possible benefits, from managing digestive health to reducing inflammation, managing blood sugar, promoting heart health, and improving mood.

People who take anti-seizure drugs should avoid the jujube fruit in all of its forms. If you have diabetes or another long-term health condition, consult with your healthcare provider before you use jujube fruit or products.

Jujube is available as a fresh or dried fruit. Both fresh and dried jujubes are nutrient-dense, but dried fruit has more sugar and should be consumed in moderation. You can also find jujube waters, teas, wines, juices, and supplements online, in health food stores, and in specialty stores.

16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Li Y, Zhou X, Zhao K, et al.Cultivation and morphology of jujube (Ziziphus Jujuba Mill.) in the Qi River Basin of Northern China during the Neolithic Period[published correction appears in Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):10101. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-60573-x].Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):2305.doi:10.1038/s41598-024-52260-8Food Data Central.Jujube, raw.Zhu D, Jiang N, Wang N, Zhao Y, Liu X.A literature review of the pharmacological effects of jujube.Foods.2024;13(2):193. doi:10.3390/foods13020193Rashwan AK, Karim N, Shishir MRI, Bao T, Lu Y, Chen W.Jujube fruit: a potential nutritious fruit for the development of functional food products.J. Funct. Foods. 2020;75:104205. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2020.104205Yao S, Sapkota D, Hungerford JA, Kersten RD.Jujube fruit metabolomic profiles reveal cultivar differences and function as cultivar fingerprints.Plants (Basel). 2023;12(12):2313. doi:10.3390/plants12122313Farhadnejad H, Asghari G, Hedayati M, et al.Effect of Ziziphus jujube on cardiometabolic factors and systemic inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized controlled trial.Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022;49:53-60. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.03.043Food Data Central.Jujube, Chinese, fresh, dried.Huang J, Heyduck R, Richins RD, VanLeeuwen D, O’Connell MA, Yao S.Jujube cultivar vitamin C profile and nutrient dynamics during maturation.horts. 2017;52(6):859-867. doi:10.21273/hortsci11945-17Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin C - consumer.Ebrahimi S, Mollaei H, Hoshyar R.Ziziphus jujube: a review study of its anticancer effects in various tumor models invitro and invivo.Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2017;63(10):122-127. doi:10.14715/cmb/2017.63.10.19Lu Y, Bao T, Mo J, Ni J, Chen W.Research advances in bioactive components and health benefits of jujube (Ziziphus jujubaMill.) fruit.J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2021;22(6):431-449. doi:10.1631/jzus.B2000594Shanahan F, Ghosh TS, O’Toole PW.The healthy microbiome-what is the definition of a healthy gut microbiome?.Gastroenterology. 2021;160(2):483-494. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.09.057Mahmoudi R, Ansari S, Haghighizadeh MH, Maram NS, Montazeri S.Investigation the effect of jujube seed capsule on sleep quality of postmenopausal women: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.Biomedicine (Taipei). 2020;10(4):42-48. doi:10.37796/2211-8039.1038Pizzino G, Irrera N, Cucinotta M, et al.Oxidative stress: Harms and benefits for human health.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:8416763. doi:10.1155/2017/8416763Chen J, Liu X, Li Z, et al.A review of dietaryZiziphus jujubafruit (jujube): developing health food supplements for brain protection.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:3019568. doi:10.1155/2017/3019568Agrawal P, Singh T, Pathak D, Chopra H.An updated review of Ziziphus jujube: major focus on its phytochemicals and pharmacological properties.Pharmacol. Res. - Mod. Chin. Med. 2023;8:100297. doi:10.1016/j.prmcm.2023.100297

16 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Li Y, Zhou X, Zhao K, et al.Cultivation and morphology of jujube (Ziziphus Jujuba Mill.) in the Qi River Basin of Northern China during the Neolithic Period[published correction appears in Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):10101. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-60573-x].Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):2305.doi:10.1038/s41598-024-52260-8Food Data Central.Jujube, raw.Zhu D, Jiang N, Wang N, Zhao Y, Liu X.A literature review of the pharmacological effects of jujube.Foods.2024;13(2):193. doi:10.3390/foods13020193Rashwan AK, Karim N, Shishir MRI, Bao T, Lu Y, Chen W.Jujube fruit: a potential nutritious fruit for the development of functional food products.J. Funct. Foods. 2020;75:104205. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2020.104205Yao S, Sapkota D, Hungerford JA, Kersten RD.Jujube fruit metabolomic profiles reveal cultivar differences and function as cultivar fingerprints.Plants (Basel). 2023;12(12):2313. doi:10.3390/plants12122313Farhadnejad H, Asghari G, Hedayati M, et al.Effect of Ziziphus jujube on cardiometabolic factors and systemic inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized controlled trial.Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022;49:53-60. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.03.043Food Data Central.Jujube, Chinese, fresh, dried.Huang J, Heyduck R, Richins RD, VanLeeuwen D, O’Connell MA, Yao S.Jujube cultivar vitamin C profile and nutrient dynamics during maturation.horts. 2017;52(6):859-867. doi:10.21273/hortsci11945-17Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin C - consumer.Ebrahimi S, Mollaei H, Hoshyar R.Ziziphus jujube: a review study of its anticancer effects in various tumor models invitro and invivo.Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2017;63(10):122-127. doi:10.14715/cmb/2017.63.10.19Lu Y, Bao T, Mo J, Ni J, Chen W.Research advances in bioactive components and health benefits of jujube (Ziziphus jujubaMill.) fruit.J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2021;22(6):431-449. doi:10.1631/jzus.B2000594Shanahan F, Ghosh TS, O’Toole PW.The healthy microbiome-what is the definition of a healthy gut microbiome?.Gastroenterology. 2021;160(2):483-494. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.09.057Mahmoudi R, Ansari S, Haghighizadeh MH, Maram NS, Montazeri S.Investigation the effect of jujube seed capsule on sleep quality of postmenopausal women: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.Biomedicine (Taipei). 2020;10(4):42-48. doi:10.37796/2211-8039.1038Pizzino G, Irrera N, Cucinotta M, et al.Oxidative stress: Harms and benefits for human health.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:8416763. doi:10.1155/2017/8416763Chen J, Liu X, Li Z, et al.A review of dietaryZiziphus jujubafruit (jujube): developing health food supplements for brain protection.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:3019568. doi:10.1155/2017/3019568Agrawal P, Singh T, Pathak D, Chopra H.An updated review of Ziziphus jujube: major focus on its phytochemicals and pharmacological properties.Pharmacol. Res. - Mod. Chin. Med. 2023;8:100297. doi:10.1016/j.prmcm.2023.100297

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Li Y, Zhou X, Zhao K, et al.Cultivation and morphology of jujube (Ziziphus Jujuba Mill.) in the Qi River Basin of Northern China during the Neolithic Period[published correction appears in Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):10101. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-60573-x].Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):2305.doi:10.1038/s41598-024-52260-8Food Data Central.Jujube, raw.Zhu D, Jiang N, Wang N, Zhao Y, Liu X.A literature review of the pharmacological effects of jujube.Foods.2024;13(2):193. doi:10.3390/foods13020193Rashwan AK, Karim N, Shishir MRI, Bao T, Lu Y, Chen W.Jujube fruit: a potential nutritious fruit for the development of functional food products.J. Funct. Foods. 2020;75:104205. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2020.104205Yao S, Sapkota D, Hungerford JA, Kersten RD.Jujube fruit metabolomic profiles reveal cultivar differences and function as cultivar fingerprints.Plants (Basel). 2023;12(12):2313. doi:10.3390/plants12122313Farhadnejad H, Asghari G, Hedayati M, et al.Effect of Ziziphus jujube on cardiometabolic factors and systemic inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized controlled trial.Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022;49:53-60. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.03.043Food Data Central.Jujube, Chinese, fresh, dried.Huang J, Heyduck R, Richins RD, VanLeeuwen D, O’Connell MA, Yao S.Jujube cultivar vitamin C profile and nutrient dynamics during maturation.horts. 2017;52(6):859-867. doi:10.21273/hortsci11945-17Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin C - consumer.Ebrahimi S, Mollaei H, Hoshyar R.Ziziphus jujube: a review study of its anticancer effects in various tumor models invitro and invivo.Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2017;63(10):122-127. doi:10.14715/cmb/2017.63.10.19Lu Y, Bao T, Mo J, Ni J, Chen W.Research advances in bioactive components and health benefits of jujube (Ziziphus jujubaMill.) fruit.J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2021;22(6):431-449. doi:10.1631/jzus.B2000594Shanahan F, Ghosh TS, O’Toole PW.The healthy microbiome-what is the definition of a healthy gut microbiome?.Gastroenterology. 2021;160(2):483-494. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.09.057Mahmoudi R, Ansari S, Haghighizadeh MH, Maram NS, Montazeri S.Investigation the effect of jujube seed capsule on sleep quality of postmenopausal women: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.Biomedicine (Taipei). 2020;10(4):42-48. doi:10.37796/2211-8039.1038Pizzino G, Irrera N, Cucinotta M, et al.Oxidative stress: Harms and benefits for human health.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:8416763. doi:10.1155/2017/8416763Chen J, Liu X, Li Z, et al.A review of dietaryZiziphus jujubafruit (jujube): developing health food supplements for brain protection.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:3019568. doi:10.1155/2017/3019568Agrawal P, Singh T, Pathak D, Chopra H.An updated review of Ziziphus jujube: major focus on its phytochemicals and pharmacological properties.Pharmacol. Res. - Mod. Chin. Med. 2023;8:100297. doi:10.1016/j.prmcm.2023.100297

Li Y, Zhou X, Zhao K, et al.Cultivation and morphology of jujube (Ziziphus Jujuba Mill.) in the Qi River Basin of Northern China during the Neolithic Period[published correction appears in Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):10101. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-60573-x].Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):2305.doi:10.1038/s41598-024-52260-8

Food Data Central.Jujube, raw.

Zhu D, Jiang N, Wang N, Zhao Y, Liu X.A literature review of the pharmacological effects of jujube.Foods.2024;13(2):193. doi:10.3390/foods13020193

Rashwan AK, Karim N, Shishir MRI, Bao T, Lu Y, Chen W.Jujube fruit: a potential nutritious fruit for the development of functional food products.J. Funct. Foods. 2020;75:104205. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2020.104205

Yao S, Sapkota D, Hungerford JA, Kersten RD.Jujube fruit metabolomic profiles reveal cultivar differences and function as cultivar fingerprints.Plants (Basel). 2023;12(12):2313. doi:10.3390/plants12122313

Farhadnejad H, Asghari G, Hedayati M, et al.Effect of Ziziphus jujube on cardiometabolic factors and systemic inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized controlled trial.Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022;49:53-60. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.03.043

Food Data Central.Jujube, Chinese, fresh, dried.

Huang J, Heyduck R, Richins RD, VanLeeuwen D, O’Connell MA, Yao S.Jujube cultivar vitamin C profile and nutrient dynamics during maturation.horts. 2017;52(6):859-867. doi:10.21273/hortsci11945-17

Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin C - consumer.

Ebrahimi S, Mollaei H, Hoshyar R.Ziziphus jujube: a review study of its anticancer effects in various tumor models invitro and invivo.Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2017;63(10):122-127. doi:10.14715/cmb/2017.63.10.19

Lu Y, Bao T, Mo J, Ni J, Chen W.Research advances in bioactive components and health benefits of jujube (Ziziphus jujubaMill.) fruit.J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2021;22(6):431-449. doi:10.1631/jzus.B2000594

Shanahan F, Ghosh TS, O’Toole PW.The healthy microbiome-what is the definition of a healthy gut microbiome?.Gastroenterology. 2021;160(2):483-494. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.09.057

Mahmoudi R, Ansari S, Haghighizadeh MH, Maram NS, Montazeri S.Investigation the effect of jujube seed capsule on sleep quality of postmenopausal women: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.Biomedicine (Taipei). 2020;10(4):42-48. doi:10.37796/2211-8039.1038

Pizzino G, Irrera N, Cucinotta M, et al.Oxidative stress: Harms and benefits for human health.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:8416763. doi:10.1155/2017/8416763

Chen J, Liu X, Li Z, et al.A review of dietaryZiziphus jujubafruit (jujube): developing health food supplements for brain protection.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:3019568. doi:10.1155/2017/3019568

Agrawal P, Singh T, Pathak D, Chopra H.An updated review of Ziziphus jujube: major focus on its phytochemicals and pharmacological properties.Pharmacol. Res. - Mod. Chin. Med. 2023;8:100297. doi:10.1016/j.prmcm.2023.100297

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