Japanese Medlar - Benefits And Contraindications

Japanese medlar is valued for its delicious fruit. They are small and round, and grow in clusters. Their color varies from yellow to red, depending on the variety.

Not only fruits but also leaves are rich in powerful antioxidants and have been used in medicine for thousands of years. This interesting fruit has many health benefits, and some studies in recent years attribute good merits to boosting immunity. Let's take a closer look at the Japanese medlar fruit.

Nutritional value and composition

Japanese medlar has a number of useful properties and many of them are unprecedented in their strength. Its chemical composition is close to that of the apple. The fruits of the plant contain sugars, fruit acids, vitamins C, P, PP, provitamin A, pectins, phytoncides, aromatic and tannins.

In a bowl (about 150 grams) there are 18 grams of carbohydrates, of which 3 grams of fiber; 70 calories; 1 gram of protein.

Japanese medlars are an ideal dietary product that satiates and at the same time contains a minimum of calories.

Japanese medlars - health benefits

In medicine, these fruits are used as a tonic to normalize digestion in various intestinal diseases.
Immature medlars are a tonic, and the soft part of fully ripe fruits is a good laxative and purifies the body.
Like all other fruits, medlar is best eaten fresh and raw, but even if prepared in some way, it does not lose its healing power. Jam, jams, marmalades and fruit compotes have a beneficial effect on the digestive system, remove harmful substances from the intestines and restore the intestinal microflora.

Potassium and magnesium in Japanese medlar are essential for regulating blood pressure and the proper functioning of the arteries.

In addition, the carotenoids in the fruit significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, so it is advisable to regularly consume fruits that contain them.
Carotenoids have powerful anti-inflammatory properties and help prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, which is one of the leading causes of heart disease.

Due to the high content of vitamin C and provitamin A (the strongest antioxidant) in these fruits, they have a beneficial effect on the work of the cardiovascular system, normalize blood pressure, improve tissue regeneration.

Pectins, which are part of medlar, lower the level of harmful cholesterol, bind and remove toxins, radionuclides, salts of heavy metals and other harmful substances.

Chronic inflammation is associated with many diseases, including heart, brain and diabetes. Some studies show that Japanese medlar juice significantly increases an anti-inflammatory protein called interleukin-10, while significantly reducing the levels of other proteins.

Fruit extract reduces the overall inflammation caused by a high sugar diet and significantly reduces inflammation in the liver.
These powerful anti-inflammatory effects are due to the many antioxidants, vitamins and minerals contained in the fruit.

Due to its high content of phytoncides, the plant can be used to combat inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract. Crushed inner part of the fruit in combination with honey facilitates breathing, has expectorant effect, helps with shortness of breath, heart pain and prolonged cough.

Useful properties have not only the fruits but also the leaves of the plant. They are used to treat various diseases. Decoctions and infusions are prepared to help get rid of diarrhea, asthma, bronchitis and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.

Prolonged consumption of fruits that contain pectins is of great benefit to the body - normalizes metabolic processes, improves the condition of the liver, has a beneficial effect on the skin.

In general, medlars tone the whole body, stimulate the immune system, stop premature aging, prevent the development of cancer, strokes and heart attacks.

Medlars lower triglyceride, blood sugar and insulin levels. Various parts of the fruit, including its leaves and seeds, have long been used in Chinese medicine to treat metabolic problems such as high blood sugar.

Contraindications

Fresh Japanese medlars, especially those that are not ripe enough, are contraindicated in peptic ulcer disease, gastritis with high acidity and diseases of the pancreas. Carefully include in the children's menu - to start with 1 fruit a day and watch for allergic reactions.