Jujube fruit 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 and dried 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 even tastes like a date.
Popular Forms
Jujube can be eaten raw or dried. Additional forms of jujube forms include:
- Candied jujube dates
- Jujube jam and jelly
- Jujube juice
- Jujube tea
- Jujube water
- Jujube wine
The jujube fruit is also available in supplement form, including gummies, powders, extracts, and capsules.
Ziziphus Jujube
Scientifically known as Ziziphus jujubethe jujube fruit comes from a small shrub called the jujube tree. The tree is a species of Ziziphus in the Rhamnaceaeor 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, and antioxidants. It has a high dietary fiber content. Jujube fruit is also low in calories.
Its high vitamin, mineral, antioxidant, and fiber profile boosts many health benefits, including promoting a healthy immune system, reducing inflammation, supporting cardiovascular 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 fight infections and may shorten the duration of colds.
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 prevent constipation. It can also promote healthy bowel movements and support a healthy gut 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 their digestive and overall health.
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 the nervous system.
One study reported in 2024 aimed to determine the effect of jujube seed capsules on sleep quality in postmenopausal women (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 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 reduce oxidative stress in the body. Jujube’s antioxidant properties have widespread protection for the entire body, including for liver and heart health.
What Is Oxidative Stress?
Oxidative stress is the imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules produced by cellular processes that can damage cells and their genetic material. This imbalance can lead to chronic diseases and damage to organs and other body tissues.
Supports Heart Health and Blood Pressure
Jujube’s anti-inflammatory effects, combined with its potassium, magnesium, and antioxidant content, may help keep blood pressure under control and support a healthy cardiovascular system.
The antioxidants in the jujube fruit reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially lowering the risk of heart disease. The fruit’s higher fiber content can also reduce cholesterol 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 natural antidepressant and antianxiety 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 managing diabetes has found that the fruit has beneficial effects on blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It may also help manage total cholesterol and triglycerides to reduce your risk for heart disease.
Reasons to Avoid
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 a heart condition.
Jujube may affect blood 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, including anti-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.
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.
