During the Mid-Autumn Festival, it is the season for winter jujube to be on the market. The crisp and sweet taste is the characteristic of winter jujube, and its nutritional feature is that it is rich in vitamin C. Every 100g of winter jujube contains as much as 300-600mg of vitamin C, 20%-36% sugar, and 19 essential amino acids for the human body. This also indicates that winter jujube has a powerful effect on the human body.
Three major functions of abundant vitamin C
Firstly, vitamin C whitens the skin by inhibiting melanin deposition, repairs sunburned skin, improves the resistance of fine blood vessels in the skin, and reduces the appearance of redness and allergies.
Secondly, vitamin C has a protective effect on blood vessels. It improves the resilience of blood vessels, softens them, and reduces gum bleeding in autumn. Additionally, because vitamin C promotes the absorption of iron ions, it can also improve iron-deficiency anemia.
Winter jujube is a healthy snack
As a snack, winter jujube can satisfy hunger and provide abundant vitamins. It has the effects of relieving fatigue, restoring physical and mental strength, without any additives found in other snacks.
Abundant potassium
Every 100g of winter jujube contains approximately 181.4mg of potassium, which has the functions of reducing swelling, diuresis, protecting the heart, and positive effects on hypertension.
Abundant dietary fiber
Winter jujube has a high content of dietary fiber, reaching 3.5%. It has the functions of improving constipation, promoting fat and cholesterol metabolism. However, although dietary fiber also has a blood sugar control effect, it is not suitable for consumption by individuals with high blood sugar due to the high sugar content in winter jujube.
Has the function of tonifying the middle and benefiting qi
Red dates made from dried winter jujube have the effects of invigorating the spleen and stomach, nourishing the blood, and calming the mind in traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, people with weak spleen and stomach, prone to diarrhea, fatigue, and poor appetite can eat red dates in moderation, about 6-7 pieces per day.
In addition, menopausal women can eat more red dates because "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber" records that when red dates are decocted with wheat and licorice, it has the effect of improving restlessness, insomnia, and irritability. Winter jujube can also moderate the properties of some Chinese medicines. Some Chinese medicines not only have a stimulating and bitter taste but also have too strong medicinal properties and significant side effects. Red dates are often added to medicinal formulas to moderate the properties and protect the spleen and stomach. However, winter jujube is small in size and high in calories, and the recommended daily consumption should not exceed 100g. Even for dried winter jujube, it is not advisable to eat more than 10 pieces per day.
When eating winter jujube, pay attention to the following four points:
Firstly, do not eat too much, especially for children with gastrointestinal dysfunction, eating too much can cause bloating and loss of appetite.
Secondly, remember to rinse your mouth after eating winter jujube because it has a high sugar content, which can easily cause tooth decay.
Thirdly, people with bloating, yellow tongue coating, and dampness in the body are not suitable for consumption according to traditional Chinese medicine.
Fourthly, it is not recommended to eat during the acute phase of gastric ulcers or gastritis because the high fiber content in winter jujube is not easy to digest and can worsen the discomfort of the stomach.
Finally, it is worth reminding everyone that when we mention the "King of Vitamin C," we are referring to fresh winter jujube, as dried red dates have extremely low vitamin C content. Additionally, vitamin C will be lost as the storage time of winter jujube increases, so it is best to consume them while they are fresh.
