Red dates, also known as jujubes, which are native to China, have long been considered an important ingredient and powerful tool in traditional Chinese medicine. Chinese red dates are not only one of the most popular medicinal foods in China, they are now used worldwide as a tonic for improving health and body.
Red dates have been valued in China for over 4,000 years and are often given as gifts to friends and family on special occasions. So what are the ingredients in red dates that make them so popular? Modern research shows that red dates help protect the brain and contain an important class of ingredients that can make cancer cells self-destruct.
It contains a class of natural compounds that can kill cancer cells
A laboratory study published in the journal Food and Function in 2018 found that triterpenoids isolated from Chinese red dates caused human lung, breast and prostate cancer cell growth, apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which causing them to self-destruct.
Triterpenoids are naturally occurring compounds that plants use to defend themselves against pathogens and herbivores, and many people in Asian countries use them for their medicinal and immune system boosting effects.
Triterpenoids also contain anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce fever, prevent liver damage, improve heart function, reduce pain, and have a calming and restorative effect on the body.
The study found that four of these triterpenoids reduced cancer cell survival rates, while the other three caused cancer cells to self-destruct.
Another study, published in the Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine in 2016, investigated the anticancer effects of Chinese red dates on cervical and breast cancer. The researchers found that jujube extract exhibited anticancer properties, such as inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, reducing the spread of cancer cells, and inducing apoptosis.
A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2011 examined the anticancer effects of red dates on human breast cancer cells. The study believes that red date extract can effectively inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells and lead to apoptosis. Interestingly, in the laboratory, the extracts had no adverse effects on healthy tissue. Based on the results of this study, the researchers determined that the use of jujube extract shows promise in the treatment of breast cancer in traditional Chinese medicine.
Scientific research shows that dates are also good for the brain and help reduce stress.
A 2017 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that dates have brain-protective properties. The researchers found that jujube has neuroprotective activities, including protecting neuronal cells from neurotoxin stress, increasing nerve tissue growth, and promoting memory and learning. The researchers concluded that red dates are potential candidates for the development of supplements for the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders.
These findings validate thousands of years of Eastern medicine knowledge that red dates can calm the mind, relieve physical stress, and benefit the brain.
Don’t forget to order some Chinese red dates
So how can you add dates to your diet for health benefits? According to an old Chinese saying, eating a few red dates a day will keep you “young forever”.
Compared to Middle Eastern palm dates, red dates contain more antioxidants and fewer calories, and contain 32 times more vitamin C. They have half the sugar of palm dates, making them a great snack excellent health and natural sweetener for cooking and baking.
Red dates can be eaten fresh or dried. They taste like sweet apples when fresh. Their dried fruits are more popular and easier to find. They taste like palm dates, but with a more subtle taste.
A serving of three brown dates has 54 calories and 12 grams of sugar, while three Chinese red dates have 28 calories and only 6 grams of sugar. Red dates also contain phosphorus, calcium, iron, manganese and potassium.
You can add a handful to oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, or make tea. Add them to desserts as a natural sweetener. They are also traditionally added to soups and rice for sweetness and health benefits.
In Chinese medicine, red dates, known as “big dates”, have been used for thousands of years to calm the mind and body and improve sleep.
Because of their sweet taste, dates can strengthen and harmonize the digestive system and are considered a complete supplement. They increase energy and benefit the blood. They also have a calming effect on the nervous system, making them an excellent remedy for anxiety and sleep problems.
An herbal formula containing red dates called Suanzaoren Tang, or Suanzaotang, has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat insomnia, calm the nerves, and improve cognitive function. A 2011 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine looked at insomnia in perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal women. After taking Suanzaoren Decoction for 4 weeks, researchers showed significant improvements in the quality and duration of women’s sleep, as well as daytime activity.
Chinese red dates are a great addition to your diet because of their high vitamin C content, low calorie content, low sugar content, and brain protecting and cancer fighting abilities. They are also a great option for any problems with sleep, stress or anxiety. You can find their dried fruit in most Chinese grocery and health food stores and online.
This article was originally published in the English “Epoch Times”, and the Chinese Epoch Times authorized the translation and reprint. For the English report, refer to:Chinese Red Dates: An Ancient Cancer Fighter.
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Responsible editor: Li Fan
