English Common Name: jujube, Chinese date, Korean date, etc.
Chinese Name: 紅棗 (Mandarin: hong2 zao3/ Cantonese: hung4 zou2)

What are red dates?

• Red dates are from the Buckthorn botanical family. They have been cultivated in China for more than 4,000 years.
• There are at least 400 varieties from fresh to dry that attain a chewy texture. They have been labeled as “the king of nuts” for the rich nutrition volume that contains seventy to eighty times higher in Vitamin C than grapes and apples.
• Red dates can transfer the excess cholesterol into bile acids, thus reducing the probability of gallstone formation.

Are there any health benefits?

• Tonifying blood:
  Red dates can strengthen the spleen and stomach “qi” that helps to digest food, tonify blood and tranquilize the mind.
• Improving insomnia:
  Red dates are good for people who have insomnia from lack of “qi” and blood such as the blood being unable to moisturize the liver and heart causing a “yin” and “yang” disorder.
• Protecting liver: Helping to protect the liver, reducing cholesterol and preventing cancer.
• Promoting digestion.

Additional Information

• Though the red dates have high nutritional value, it is recommended not to eat too much a time due to it is rich in fructose and indigestible.
• Red dates contain a lot of sugar that makes unfavorable for diabetics.
• Red dates can be used in herbal teas, porridges and soups.