Loquat – Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

Loquats and loquat leaf tea are good for your health in a number of ways. For example, they may be able to calm the respiratory system, help control diabetes, and protect the bone mineral density. They might also help improve the health of the digestive system, lower cholesterol, and make the immune system stronger.

What is loquat?

Loquat, also known as Eriobotrya japonica, has been used for a long time in traditional and herbal medicine. The fruit of the loquat tree is high in calcium, vitamin A, and potassium, and you can eat it. But the large, sparkly, evergreen leaves of the loquat are what make it a good medicine. Loquat leaf has been utilized to make tea for a long time. It is said to be good for your skin, lungs, and gut.

Loquat plant description: 

Loquat fruits come from medium-size trees that grow in gentle, temperate areas. Most people know the tree by its fruit, which really is beneficial to one's wellness in many ways. Japanese plums are another name for loquat fruits that are oval and vibrant orange. The fruit is between one and two inches long and is full of big brown seeds. Loquat fruits are sour as well as sweet, which is why people like them.

Loquat trees are native to China, where they grow on their own. In China, loquats have been consumed as medicine for a very long time. The Chinese used the loquat's fruits and leaves to treat coughs, cancer,  diabetes, and many other illnesses. In the 1600s, a Portuguese explorer brought the fruits back to Europe for the first time.

Loquat fruits often are eaten raw or as an extract, however they may also be used in pies,  jams, and juices. The loquat's leaf and flower are also sometimes used to make tea.

Loquat leaves:

The leaves of a loquat are usually 5 to 12 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide. They have an elliptical-lanceolate shape. They are glossy and dark green on the top, and white or rusty-hairy on the bottom. They are thick and stiff, with 11–12 pairs of obvious parallel, oblique veins. Red sometimes shows up on the new growth. Some cultivars have narrow leaves, while others have wide ones. The leaves on the branches are arranged in pairs.

Loquat fruits:

Clusters of oval, round, or pear-shaped loquat fruits are 1 to 2 inches long and have a smooth or downy, yellow, orange, or sometimes red-tinged skin. Fruits are usually green, but when they are fully grown, they turn yellow or orange-yellow. Depending on the cultivar, the flesh is white, yellow, or orange and sweet, subacidic, or acidic. Each fruit has three to five large brown seeds in the middle that are angular-ellipsoid and measure 15 mm by 8 mm. Seeds can't be eaten and may have poisonous cyanogen-glycosides in them. In Japan, fruits that are ready to be picked can be ready as early as June, but the time of year they are ready to be picked can vary from place to place. Most of the time, bees are what pollinate the loquat. Some cultivars can't reproduce themselves, while others can do so only partly.

Nutritional profile of loquat:

The loquat fruit has pectin, which is a type of fibre, as well as vitamins A, C, B6, folates, and folic acid. It also has important plant chemicals called carotenoids, — particularly beta-carotene and lutein. Loquat leaves have organic compounds like phenolics and triterpenes that can be used to make a tea that can help people with breathing problems.

Minerals like iron,  potassium, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, and copper, can be found in loquats. They are low in both cholesterol and calories and have monounsaturated fats like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. A medium-sized (16g) loquat may have about 7.5 calories and 2 grams of carbs.

Health benefits of loquat:

1. Promotes overall wellbeing

If someone wants to avoid anaemia and its painful symptoms, they need to eat a lot of iron-rich foods. Loquats have a lot of iron, which is good for the red blood cells in your body. Hemoglobin, which moves oxygenated red blood cells around the body and improves circulation, can't work without iron. This can help you heal faster, give you more energy, and make sure that all of your organs are working at their best!

2. Treats Kidney Disorders

Loquat is highly recommended for gout, kidney stones, uric acid that is too high, and kidney failure. They are useful as a diuretic because they help the body make more urine and get rid of too many uric acid particles. They are also low in protein and high in minerals.

3. Lower the risk of cancer

Loquat contains a lot of antioxidants that are very good for human health. Antioxidants help get rid of free radicals in the body, which are made by the normal breakdown of cells. With their unpaired electrons, these molecules can cause healthy cells to change, which can lead to long-term diseases like cancer. Lung and mouth cancers are less likely to happen in people who drink loquat tea.

4. Manages sugar level

People often recommend loquat tea as a way to prevent or treat diabetes because people who drink it often have much lower blood sugar levels. Loquat tea has special organic compounds that help control insulin and glucose levels. This helps protect the body from getting diabetes. Also, people with diabetes need to keep their blood sugar from going up and down, which this tea can help them do.

5. Treats respiratory infections

For treating colds and other respiratory infections, expectorants are very important. Loquat tea is used to help people cough up mucus and phlegm. It can be drunk or gargled, but either way it works. This is the place where bacteria can reproduce and make other symptoms worse, so getting rid of it can help you feel better quickly.

6. Helps people lose weight

Less calories are in loquat fruit. Plus, it has a lot of fibre, which is good for you. Diets with more fibre make you less hungry and speed up your metabolism. So, it helps people lose weight in a healthy way.

7. Fortifies Bones

One of the biggest problems for many older people, especially women after menopause, is that their bones lose mineral density. Loquat, which is full of vitamins, minerals, and chemicals that act like hormones, has been shown to stop bone density loss in different parts of the body.

8. Aids in Digestion

Pectin, which is found in loquats, is a type of dietary fibre that is often praised for helping with digestion. Dietary fibre helps bulk up poop and encourages peristaltic movement, which makes bowel movements more regular. If you have constipation, diarrhoea, cramps, bloating, or other stomach problems, fibre can help reduce inflammation and make your gut healthier.