10 Nutritional Health Benefits Of Loquat

Loquat is a unique yellow fruit that grows in a cluster, appears round, oval or pear-shaped and tastes similar to peach, plum, and apricot. The botanical name is Eriobotrya japonica and it belongs to the family, Rosaceae. Common names of loquat is Japanese plum or Chinese plum.

Loquat is a large evergreen tree grown mainly as an ornamental plant in colder regions like Himachal Pradesh, Assam and a few hill stations in the South. Its flowers give out a sweet aroma. In India, at least 14 varieties of this yellowish fruit are cultivated.

Loquat's amazing benefits are also mentioned in the book, Ayurvedic Curative Cuisine for Everyone. The book says that loquat fruits improve the endocrine system, respiratory system, and digestive system. They are also used for their sedative properties ^[1] .

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Nutritional Value Of Loquat

100 g of loquat contains 47 kcal of energy and 86.73 g of water. It also contains the following nutrients.

• 1.7 g dietary fibre
• 12.14 g carbohydrates
• 0.43 g protein
• 16 mg calcium
• 27 mg phosphorus
• 266 mg potassium
• 13 mg magnesium
• 14 μg folate
• 76 μg Vitamin A
• 1.0 mg Vitamin C
• 0.1 mg Vitamin B6
• 0.28 mg iron
• nutritional table

Health Benefits Of Loquat

Loquat is not only refreshing and delicious but is also packed with many health benefits.

1. Manages diabetes: Loquat helps in releasing the body's natural chemicals called polysaccharides that improve the production of insulin and help manage diabetes. It also supports the pancreas and prevents hyperlipidaemia ^[1] .

2. Helps in cancer therapies: Loquat has cytokine immune modulation capabilities which are beneficial in cancer therapies ^[1] . According to a study published in the Archives of Pharmacal Research, loquat leaves display anticancer potential that can suppress carcinogenic cells at different stages of cancer.

3. Controls blood pressure: Potassium present in loquat acts as a vasodilator for the heart. It reduces the pressure on the blood vessels and arteries and soothes them. Loquat is very effective in protecting the heart's health by improving the blood flow across the body ^[2] .

4. Improves intestinal health: Loquat is rich in dietary fibre. Consuming loquat fruit bulks up the stool and improves the bowel movement ^[3] .

5. Soothes respiratory system: Loquat helps in soothing the respiratory system by removing phlegm caused during cough and cold. Loquat leaves shorten the recovery time and help cure all kind of respiratory illnesses. It also helps in treating nausea ^[1] .

6. Protects the brain cells: The antioxidant property of loquat helps in improving the memory and other neurological problems. It helps combat the free radicals and protects the brain cells from their ill effects ^[4] .

7. Helps in weight management: Loquats are low in cholesterol and high in dietary fibre. The high fibre content in loquat helps to give a feeling of satiety and thus, keeps weight in control ^[3] .

8. Boosts immunity: The vitamin C present in this yellow fruit helps in the production of white blood cells, a defence against pathogens and illnesses. Vitamin C also helps in the production of collagen that repairs the old tissues and promotes the growth of new cells ^[5] .

9. May help against HIV: Loquat leaves are believed to have anti-HIV effects. The 2-alpha-hydroxy ursolic acid (one of the nine bioactive triterpenes) present in the leaves of loquat has a mild restrictive effect on HIV. They also possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties ^[6] .

10. Strengthens Bones: Consumption of loquat helps in strengthening the bones and preventing the loss of bone density caused due to ageing and medications used to treat asthma, breast cancer, etc. The vitamins and minerals in the fruit help in making bones strong ^[7] .

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Side Effects Of Loquat

Drinking loquat tea made from their leaves help in curing skin diseases, nausea, and itching. On the other hand, if it is consumed in excess, one can develop toxic myopathy, a type of muscle disease in which the muscle does not perform properly and cause pain, weakness and inflammation in the muscles ^[8] .

How To Consume Loquat

Firstly, wash the loquat fruit in cold water and remove the stem. Peel the skin directly or boil it for 2-3 minutes to easily remove it. From the top of the fruit, slide the knife until it touches the seeds in the middle. Then, rotate the fruit in the hand and give a round cut to the fruit from its outer surface. Use fingers to separate the two halves. Dig out all the seeds and eat the juicy pulp of the fruit.

Uses Of Loquat

1. Used as a sedative in mild proportion ^[1]
2. Used in preparing fruit salads
3. Jam and jellies are prepared from the fruit
4. Raw loquats are used in preparing pies or tarts
5. Used in manufacturing wine

Loquat Herbal Tea Recipe For Diabetics

Ingredients:

• Water
• 2 loquat leaves

Method:

• Take a knife and scrub the fur underside of the leaves.
• Rinse the leaves with water and dry it.
• Remove the veins of the leaves and cut it into pieces
• Heat the water and bring it to boiling point.
• Add chopped leaves and reduce the flame after 5 minutes.
• Allow the tea to steep for approx 15 minutes.
• Strain the tea and add sweeten as per the taste.