The festival of Mahashivratri is incomplete without jujube or ber, after all it is Lord Shiva’s most favourite fruit. People fasting on this auspicious day offer jujube fruit to Lord shiva and consume it as prasad to maintain energy throughout the day. Whether you’re observing a Mahashivratri fast or not, consuming the sweet and nutrient-packed jujube can bless your health in multiple ways. Continue scrolling to explore jujube fruit nutritional value along with the health benefits of jujube fruit!
What is Jujube Fruit (Ber)?
Jujube fruit is native to Southern Asia and is often referred to as Chinese or red date. The fruits are small and round and contain seeds that grow on large flowering trees. With the vibrant hues of green, dark red, and brown, jujube can be seen in Indian markets during the spring season, right when the festival of Mahashivratri takes place. There’s an interesting belief about ber fruit that it can help remove sorrow which could be due to a number of nutrients in this fruit, owing to various health benefits. Check jujube fruit nutrition in the next section.
Jujube Nutrition Profile
Jujube fruits pack quite a punch when it comes to the nutritional profile due to their characteristic of being low in calories but rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibre. To give you an approximation, about 100 grams serving of jujube fruits, in their raw form, provides:
| Calories | 79 |
| Protein | 1 gram |
| Fat | 0.06 gram/per fruit |
| Fibre | 10 grams |
| Carbs | 20 grams |
| Potassium | 5% of DV (daily value) |
| Vitamin C | 77% of DV |
Jujube Benefits
The health benefits of jujube fruits are several and impressive such as overall immunity and healthier nervous system and digestion. Some of the jujube benefits include:
1. Boosts Energy Levels
Ripe jujube fruit is rich in sugar and healthy carbs that can help you sustain energy level during your fast. It can avoid severe hunger pangs and help your focus on rituals on Mahashivratri. Even generally, consuming jujube fruits can help regulate your blood sugar levels and elevate your mood and energy.
2. Improves Brain Function and Sleep
Jujube fruit has found a place in alternative medicine due to its antioxidant properties which can improve brain function and overall sleep quality. In an experiment carried out on lab rats, it was found that jujube fruits and the extracts of the seeds could help increase sleep time. This is why jujube fruit is often prescribed to lower signs of anxiety and insomnia in people. This in turn, can help enhance your mood and help you achieve mental peace.
3. Provides Antioxidants
Jujube fruit is rich in antioxidant compounds such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, and triterpenic acids. The fruit also contains vitamin C in high amounts which can act as an antioxidant as well. Doctors and researchers all around the world believe that free radical damage is the contributing factor to many conditions of the chronic kind such as heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, and a few cancers. A study revealed that the green jujube fruit benefits can increase the antioxidant activity in the body that could lower inflammation and stress in the liver caused by free radicals.
4. May Help Fight Cancer Cells
A study conducted on jujube polysaccharides found that the fruit could boost immunity and help slow down the growth of cancer cells. Jujube polysaccharides are natural sugars that have antioxidant properties and can tackle free radicals, neutralise the effects of harmful cells, and lower the level of inflammation. Jujube fruit which boosted immune cells referred to as natural killer cells could in turn destroy damaging invader cells.
5. Promotes Better Digestion
The few jujube fruit calories and high fibre content could help to promote faster digestion. This is because around 50% of the carbs present in the jujube fruit are obtained from the fibre which holds significant digestive benefits. The nutrient will add bulk to the stool, speeding up the movement of food via the digestive tract and helping manage symptoms of constipation, if any. Jujube fruit extracts could make the lining of the stomach and the intestines strong, decreasing the risk of damage from injury, ulcers, and harmful gut bacteria. Additionally, it can help boost metabolism and aid in weight loss.
6. Improves Human Milk Quality
As per an 2016 NCBI study, the benefits of jujube fruit helped lower the concentration of toxic elements in human milk. It was found that women who consume this fruit have a significant reduction in arsenic and cadmium levels in their breast milk. Due to these detoxification effects a lot of doctors recommend jujube fruit for pregnancy diets to improve milk quality.
7. Slows Down Skin Ageing
The antioxidant content in jujube fruits can neutralize free radicals that are responsible for accelerating skin ageing. Moreover, the vitamin C in this fruit helps boost collagen levels in the body. If you want your skin to appear healthy, glowing, and plump, the jujube benefits for skin can help you immensely.
Ways to Consume Jujube Fruit
In terms of taste, the white fleshy parts of the jujube fruit are very similar to that of apples. And when the fruit is dried, it tastes very similar to Persian dates; it is chewy and a bit sweet. So, the fruits can be directly consumed either fresh or dried, whichever way you prefer it. You will find jujube fruits in their dried form being used across Asian cuisine, especially in desserts. Other ways in which a jujube fruit is used are for making marmalades, juice, vinegar, and honey. If you are planning to consume dried jujube fruit, then you should take note of limiting the amount you have daily as dried jujube fruit contains concentrated sugar, which is higher in calories.
Conclusion
Consuming jujube fruit on the festival of Mahashivratri or in general can help you get amazing health benefits. Whether eaten fresh or dried, jujube fruit is highly nutritious and makes for a great midday or evening snack. It is rich in fibre and antioxidants and could help you sleep better and manage your anxiety if you are troubled by uneasy thoughts. However, you should also consume this fruit with caution as some of the jujube fruit side effects include lowering appetite, causing drowsiness, and leading to bloating which can be counter-beneficial to health.
