Health Benefits of Jamun Fruit

Are you looking for a delicious and nutritious fruit that can also provide numerous health benefits? Look no further than Jamun fruit, also known as Java plum! Jamun fruit is packed with nutrients that can help reduce the risk of many chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. From Jamun seed powder to Jamun juice, there are many ways to enjoy the benefits of this amazing Jamun fruit. So, let’s explore the many benefits of Jamun fruit, or java plum, and why you should consider adding it to your diet.

Jamun Fruit-Overview

Scientifically Syzygium cumini (L.), commonly known as Jamun, has different names in different languages, such as ‘Jambul’ in Marathi, ‘Jamun’ in Hindi, ‘Kalajam’ in Bengali,  ‘Jambuda’ in Gujarati, ‘Neredu’ in Telugu, and ‘Indian Blackberry’ or ‘Black Plum’ in English. This fruit tree has its roots in ancient Ayurveda and the Unani system. Our ancient medicinal recipes have mentions of this fruit, where all the parts of this Jamun tree, including its leaves, stems, bark, flowers, fruits, and seeds, have been utilised.

Jamun fruit and seeds have various health benefits. The fruit possesses properties that can lower blood sugar levels, fight bacteria and viruses, and treat diarrhoea. Jamun fruit is useful for treating diabetes, inflammation, and ulcers as well. The fruit is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin C, riboflavin, folic acid, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium.

In this write-up, we will explore some of the key health benefits of Jamun fruit and how you can incorporate it into your diet.

Jamun’s Nutritional Benefits:

Jamun fruit, or Java plum, is packed with numerous nutrients that yield a plethora of health benefits. The following nutrients are found in 100 g of raw Jamun:

• Calories: 60 calories
• Calcium: 19 mg
• Magnesium: 15 mg
• Phosphorous: 17 mg
• Vitamin C: 14.3 mg
• Vitamin A: 3 IU (International unit)
• Potassium: 79 mg
• Iron: 0.19 mg
• Low levels of riboflavin, thiamine, folic acid, carotene, fat, and fibre.

Healthstory Link: 10 Benefits of Jamun – Healthstory (livlong.com)

Benefits Of Jamun Fruit

The Jamun tree is highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine due to its various health benefits. All parts of the tree are utilised for medicinal purposes. Here are some of the health benefits associated with Jamun:

1. Helps Control Diabetes

Diabetes has become the third ‘killer’ of human health, along with cancer and cardiovascular illnesses, due to its high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. Current therapies are available for managing the condition from progressing, but they have side effects.

Jamun has been extensively studied for its anti-diabetic abilities for the past 127 years. Many animal studies have revealed that the fruit, seed, and Jamun bark have anti-diabetic properties; however, the leaf has none. Researchers found that Jamun had hypoglycaemic activity that was comparable to, or even better sometimes than, the conventional medications for oral hypoglycaemia.

In these investigations, using Jamun reduced blood glucose levels during fasting as well as following a meal by approximately 30%. Fruit pulps were also found to be effective when given as lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder. Jamun was able to prevent diabetes and its complications in experimental animals. Consequently, certain research shows that Jamun has antihyperglycemic activity in humans with diabetes.

2. Anti-Cancer Properties

Cancer is one of the largest causes of mortality across the globe, accounting for about 10 million fatalities in the year 2020, which is roughly one in every six deaths.
The most frequently occurring types of cancer include prostate, breast, colon, rectum, and lung cancers.

Jamun fruit contains cancer-protective phytochemicals like anthocyanins, which include glucosides of cyanidin, delphinidin, petunidin, malvidin, and peonidin that have anti-cancer properties. These compounds help prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells by inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death).

A pilot study conducted in 2016 revealed that Jamun fruit extracts possess an array of anthocyanins that suppress tumour growth and have a pro-apoptosis action in patients with colon cancer.

3. Protects Liver

Jamun fruit has numerous health benefits, including positive effects on liver health. The phytochemicals present in Jamun fruit have been shown to have hepatoprotective properties, which means that they can help prevent liver damage and promote liver health. The fruit also contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the liver.

A rat study found that methanolic compounds present in Jamun seed extract have a hepatoprotective effect. Researchers found that when certain dosages of Jamun seed extract were administered, it decreased biomarkers of liver damage, including alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in rats.

Another mice study conducted in 2012 found that the administration of Jamun fruit extract significantly reduced liver inflammation, injury, and fibrosis during cholestasis (a condition of the liver).

4. Helps Lower Lipid Levels

Hyperlipidaemia is characterised by an elevated level of fats or lipids in the blood. It is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disorders such as strokes and heart attacks.
Jamun fruit has been found to have potential benefits for managing lipid levels in the body. These effects are due to the presence of various bioactive substances in Jamun.
Preliminary studies found that Jamun seed extracts may have an antihyperlipidemic effect along with an anti-diabetic effect on diabetic rats, which means they may help lower levels of lipids in the blood.

5. Cardioprotective Properties

A biological pathway is activated when blood sugars are abnormally high (hyperglycaemia), which leads to irregular heartbeats, also known as cardiac arrhythmia. This condition is associated with sudden cardiac death and heart failure. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to those who do not have diabetes.
Jamun has cardioprotective properties due to its high content of phenolic compounds.
A study found that the extract from Jamun seeds has anti-inflammatory effects on heart muscle cells under high blood sugar conditions. It also regulates an enzyme called gelatinase-B, which can contribute to heart disease.

6. Boosts Brain Function

Jamun fruit contains phytochemicals that help improve memory and cognitive function. Consuming Jamun fruit regularly can help reduce the risk of developing age-related cognitive decline and loss of memory.

Animal studies conducted showed that Jamun seed extract has potential neuroprotective properties and can be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. The extract contains phenolic compounds that reduce inflammation and block harmful molecules in the brain. It also improved brain function and memory in rats, and it was also able to reverse their cognitive impairments.

7. Anti-viral properties

Studies have shown that Jamun leaves and bark extracts have antiviral properties. The extracts have been found to be effective against the goat pox virus and the avian influenza H5N1 virus. Another study found that a water extract of Jamun bark has antiviral properties against the potato X virus.

Although more studies are needed on this topic, preliminary studies suggest that Jamun can be beneficial in fighting viral infections.

8. Anti-Anaemic Property

Jamun seed extracts have been found to increase iron levels in the body, thereby helping in treating anaemia.

9. Treating Gastric Ulcers

A gastric ulcer is a condition where there is damage to the mucosal lining of the intestine or stomach. Jamun extract and seed kernels may have protective properties against gastric ulcers. A preliminary study conducted on rats found that the extract had a protective effect against ethanol and aspirin-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Similarly, another study found that the seed kernels of Jamun had antiulcer activity.

10. Anti-Allergic Properties

Jamun fruit has anti-allergic properties that help reduce the symptoms of allergies. Studies have found that phytochemicals present in the Jamun seeds have anti-allergic properties and help reduce oedema caused by histamine release (histamines are chemicals that trigger allergic reactions).

11. May Help In Treating Arthritis

There is some evidence suggesting that Jamun may have potential for treating arthritis. Studies on rats with induced arthritis have found that Jamun seed extract could reduce inflammation and have a potential anti-arthritic effect on the rats.

12. Helps Fights Infections

Jamun fruit has some antimicrobial properties.
Studies have found that Jamun seed extracts have strong antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

13. Helps in treating diarrhoea

Jamun fruit has been found to possess antidiarrheal properties.
The aqueous extract of Jamun seeds has been studied for its ability to prevent castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice. The study found that the extract had a significant and dose-dependent anti-diarrheal effect as well as an anti-mortality effect.

14. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Jamun fruit has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation, both acute and chronic, in the body. The fruit contains compounds like flavonoids, tannins, and methanolic and phenolic acids that help reduce inflammation and pain.
The ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of the Jamun seed, leaves, and stem bark were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. The results indicated that these extracts showed significant anti-inflammatory activity.

15. Antifungal property

Jamun has been found to exhibit anti-fungal properties. Several studies have investigated the effectiveness of Jamun against different fungal species.
For instance, one study found that the methanolic extract of Jamun leaves showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, and Candida albicans.

These findings suggest that Jamun has potential as a natural antifungal agent.
16. Protects From Harmful Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer, but it can also damage normal cells, causing unwanted side effects. Researchers have found that extracts from Jamun seeds and leaves may help protect normal cells from the harmful effects of radiation.

A preliminary study demonstrates the protective effect of Jamun leaves against the damage caused by radiation to DNA.

17. May Help With Fever

Jamun possesses antipyretic or fever-reducing properties. A rat study conducted showed that extracts from Jamun seeds were found to have antipyretic properties in rats with pyrexia. The antipyretic effects were observed at certain doses.

18. Manages Respiratory Conditions

Jamun is known to possess therapeutic properties for various respiratory conditions. Its fruit, leaves, and bark have been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, asthma, and coughs.

Different Ways To Consume Jamun Fruit

Jamun fruit can be consumed in a variety of ways. Here are some common ways to use Jamun fruit:

• Fresh: Simply wash the fruit and eat it fresh to reap the benefits of Jamun fruit. The flesh can be slightly sour or sweet, depending on the ripeness of the fruit.
• • Jamun Juice: Drinking Jamun juice has many benefits. Here is a simple recipe for making Jamun juice:

Ingredients:

◦ 1 cup ripe Jamun fruit
◦ 1 cup of water
◦ Sugar, jaggery, or honey (optional)
◦ Pinch of black salt

Instructions:

• Wash the Jamun fruit and remove the seeds.
• In a blender, add the seedless Jamun flesh and water. Blend until smooth.
• Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any remaining seeds or pulp.
• Add sugar, jaggery, or honey if desired, and stir until dissolved.
• Add a pinch of black salt.
• Serve chilled and enjoy!
• Jamun Seed Powder: There are several Jamun seed powder benefits. Roast the seeds and grind them into a fine powder. This powder can be added to smoothies, yoghurt, or other foods for added nutrition. To make Jamun seed powder, follow these steps:
  ◦ Collect fresh Jamun seeds and remove any flesh or pulp from the surface.
  ◦ Rinse the seeds with clean water and let them dry in the sunlight for a day or two.
• Once the seeds are completely dry, grind them in a mixer or grinder until they turn into a fine powder.
  ◦ Store the Jamun seed powder in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dry place.
  To use Jamun seed powder, you can also add a teaspoon of Jamun seed powder to a glass of warm water or milk and drink it in the morning.
• Jamun Fruit Salad: Cut the fruit into small pieces and mix with other fruits to make a tasty fruit salad and extract the benefits of eating Jamun fruit.
• Jamun Vinegar: Jamun vinegar is widely produced in India. You can take about two to three teaspoons of Jamun vinegar, add an equal amount of water, and drink this once or twice prior to eating.

• Jamun Tablets, Jamun Seed Capsules, And Jamun Seed Churna are also available on the market. You can consume it following lunch and dinner; however, it is advisable to consult an Ayurveda specialist prior to starting to take these products.

Side Effects Of Jamun Fruit

Although Jamun has numerous health benefits and medicinal effects, it can also have adverse effects on human health.

• One such effect is that it reduces blood sugar levels, so it should be avoided one week prior to and at least two weeks following surgery.
• It should not be consumed after drinking milk, and one should avoid consuming it on an empty stomach.
• It is recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctors before consuming Jamun to ensure it is safe for them..
• Overconsumption of Jamun can lead to coughing, accumulation of sputum in the lungs, fever, and body aches.

Takeaway

Jamun, also known as java plum, is a fruit that offers a wide range of health benefits. From its high antioxidant content to its antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, Jamun benefits have been studied and confirmed by scientific research. The fruit can be consumed fresh, as juice, or in the form of Jamun seed powder, which has been shown to have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Regular consumption of Jamun, or Java plum, whether in the form of Jamun fruit juice or Jamun seed powder, can offer several health benefits, making it a valuable addition to one’s diet. Therefore, the benefits of eating Jamun, or Java plum, cannot be overstated.