The loquat tree is a medium-sized tree found in mild temperate climates. The tree is most famous for its fruit, which boasts many health benefits. Loquat fruits, also known as Japanese plums, are bright orange and oval-shaped. The fruits are about 1-2 inches long and contain large brown seeds. Many people love loquat fruits for their unique tart and sweet flavor.
Loquat trees are native to China, where they grow in the wild. In China, loquats have been used as traditional medicine for thousands of years. The Chinese used loquat fruits and leaves to treat coughs, diabetes, and cancer, among other ailments. The fruits were first brought to Europe by a Portuguese explorer in the 16th century.
Loquat fruits are often eaten raw or as an extract, but the fruit is also found in jams, pies, and juices. The loquat leaf and flower are also sometimes used in teas.
Loquat Benefits
Loquat fruits, seeds, and leaves have a wide variety of potential health benefits.
Antioxidant effects
Loquats are very high in antioxidants, chemicals that help protect your cells against damage and disease. One study showed that loquat leaves had a stronger antioxidant effect than 54 other medicinal plants.
Loquats are particularly rich in carotenoid antioxidants, which boost the immune system. A strong immune system is important for fighting off sickness.
Cancer prevention
Early research shows that loquat fruit and leaves may help prevent cancer. Antioxidants in loquat fruit help suppress cancerous tumor growth. Loquat extract or fruit might help kill cancer cells in your body, stopping the creation and spreading of tumors. The anticancer effect has been shown in animals and on a cellular level, but it has not been studied in humans.
The fruit is especially high in vitamin A and beta-carotene, an antioxidant. These nutrients may lower the risk of colorectal, lung, and other cancers.
Anti-inflammatory effects
The loquat leaf, seed, and fruit have been shown to reduce inflammation, the body’s overreactive response to irritants such as germs and allergens. Chinese medicine has been using the leaves for centuries to treat diseases caused by inflammation such as bronchitis and asthma. Several substances found in loquats, such as triterpene acids, reduce inflammation in the body.
For example, inflammation of the lungs causes many problems, such as bronchitis and coughing. In several studies, loquat leaf extracts showed anti-inflammatory effects that helped reduce chronic bronchitis. Most of these studies were performed on animals, so it is too soon to be sure whether humans get the same anti-inflammation benefits of loquat fruit.
Loquat and diabetes
Diabetes is caused when a person’s body does not produce enough insulin, or their body is resistant to insulin. This can lead to very high blood sugar levels.
Studies suggest loquat leaf extract might help prevent and control both type 1 and type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar and increasing insulin levels. The studies have been mostly in animals, so more human study is needed.
Loquat Nutrition
Some loquat health benefits come from the minerals and vitamins in the fruit. It's also a low-calorie food and a source of fiber.
It contains:
Nutrients per serving
A 100-gram serving (the size of a medium banana) of loquat contains:
- Calories: 47
- Protein: 0.43 grams
- Fat: 0.2 grams
- Carbohydrates: 12.1 grams
- Fiber: 1.7 grams
Loquat fruit side effects
Loquats may cause allergic reactions. Reactions may be mild, but in severe cases, such allergies can cause anaphylaxis, a reaction in which you might have trouble breathing.
Do not swallow the large brown seeds in loquat fruits. While it is rare, the seeds may cause mild poisoning if eaten raw.
What does loquat fruit taste like?
Some people say they taste like a combination of apricot, cherry, and pears.
How to Eat Loquat
Loquat fruits can be consumed and used in many different forms, including as a tea, supplement, extract, or snack. They can be turned into a jam, salsa, or chutney or put into a smoothie.
You can also puree the fresh fruit and freeze it for later use.
If you’re eating whole loquat fruit, you can either peel the skin and eat around the seeds or slice it in half, remove the seed or seeds, and eat around the skin. Loquats usually contain one, two, or three seeds. The soft flesh of loquat fruit can stain your hands brown.
Loquat recipes
Loquat jam. Cook several cups of loquat with a small amount of water, mashing the fruit as it softens. Then, add fruit pectin and bring to a boil. Finally, add several cups of sugar and bring to a boil again. Cool and eat, or preserve.
Loquat pie. You can make it like any fruit pie. Combine about three cups of cut loquat with about 1/2 cup sugar, quick tapioca or another thickener, and a couple of tablespoons of butter. Pour into a crust and top with a latticed crust. Bake at 350 F for 40-50 minutes.
Loquat relish. Combine loquat with candied orange and grapefruit peels, candied ginger, raisins, cinnamon, sugar, lemon juice, and cider vinegar. Chop with a blender. Let it sit at least overnight to let the flavors blend. Use within 10 days.
Takeaways
Loquats can be a healthy addition to your diet, supplying ample vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Early studies suggest the benefits of loquat fruit might include better blood sugar control and a stronger immune system. The fruit also is versatile, working well in everything from smoothies to pies.
Loquat FAQs
Can you eat too many loquats?
Eating a lot of the fruit shouldn't be a problem unless you're not used to that much fiber. That can cause digestive distress. You should avoid eating the seeds. Doctors have reported at least one case in which a man developed muscle weakness while regularly consuming loquat leaf extract, commonly used in teas and traditional medicines.
Is loquat good for the stomach?
Some animal research suggests loquat fruits and extracts can improve the mix of microbes in the gut, aiding digestion and improving overall health. Also, eating plenty of fiber from fruits such as loquats can help prevent constipation.
