Nutrition
Jujubes have one of the highest levels of Vitamin C of any fruit[AI]. Additionally they are a good source of Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and B6 and also contain the majority of essential amino acids that cannot be synthesised by the body and which must therefore be provided by the diet.
Like most fruits they also have zero fat and zero cholesterol making them an ideal healthy snack.
| Fruit | Vitamin C Content Per 100g Fruit |
|---|---|
| Apple | 6mg |
| Orange | 53mg |
| Jujube | 500mg |
* Source: http://www.naturalhub.com/natural_food_guide_fruit_vitamin_c.htm[AI]
It should be noted that the cooking process can reduce the effectiveness of Vitamin C. Therefore the health benefits are maximised when consuming fresh or dried fruits.
Nutritional Information
This is the nutritional breakdown in conventional format. These are the official numbers compiled by the U.S. Dept of Agriculture[21] however, as with all fruit, it should be noted that the numbers can vary quite considerably due to factors such as cultivar, ripeness, age, and storage. There have also been scientific studies that have investigated the nutritional components of various Jujube varieties in more detail[19].
| Avg quantity Per 100g | Fresh Fruit | Dried Fruit |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 331 KJ (79 Kcal) | 1201 KJ (287 Kcal) |
| Protein | 1.20g | 3.70g |
| Carbohydrates | 20.23g | 73.60g |
| Fats | 0.20g | 1.10g |
| Sodium | 3mg | 9mg |
Source: USDA Agricultural Research Service[21]
Trace elements
Major: Potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium
Minor: Iron, sodium, zinc and copper, manganese
Further Information
For more detailed information on the nutritional and chemical composition of Jujube fruit, the peer-reviewed jounal Food Chemistry appears to be the best source of information. Most articles are available online (for a fee) or you can ask at the library of your local university.