Is loquat from China or Japan? Can eating it relieve cough?

We may see the word "loquat" more often in the names of medicines such as "xx loquat cough syrup" rather than on supermarket price tags. Because it is not common, loquat sometimes makes people think it is a foreign fruit. In Japan, loquat has another name called "Japanese hawthorn", so many people mistakenly believe that loquat is produced in Japan. A Chinese scientist once spent his life to correct the name of loquat.

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In fact, loquat is not only a native fruit in my country, but also has a history of more than two thousand years.

You will find that the pronunciation of "枇杷" [pí pa] is the same as "琵琶", and the two are actually related.

Pipa was originally a musical instrument of nomadic peoples. The outward movement of the hand is called "pi" and the inward movement is called "ba", so it is called "piba". The body of the instrument is made of wood, and loquat is made from wood. At the same time, people also called a fruit similar in shape to the above musical instrument "loquat". By the end of the Han Dynasty, the term "pipa" was finally determined for the musical instrument, and "loquat" became the name of the fruit.

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01

Can loquat really relieve cough?

Loquats are delicious, but some people eat them because they have heard that they can relieve cough and reduce phlegm. Most people's impression of loquats should be "Sichuan loquat paste", so they are more determined to eat loquats to relieve coughs.

In fact, loquat leaves are used in Chuanbei Loquat Paste instead of loquat fruit, so it does not mean that eating loquats can relieve coughs. [1] Animal experiments on mice have shown that loquat leaves contain triterpenoid compounds, which have anti-inflammatory and cough-relieving effects. [2]

In addition to loquat leaves, studies have also shown that loquat flowers also have a certain effect on relieving coughs. This study was also an animal experiment using mice as the research subjects. The results showed that the alcohol extract of loquat flowers can relieve coughs and expectorate. Its mechanism of action may be to reduce the release of substance P from C-fibers to achieve the cough-relieving effect. [3]

The Flora of China also states that loquat leaves are of medicinal value, while loquat fruit is only a fruit for people to eat raw. [4]

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So, don’t expect to relieve your cough and asthma by eating some loquats.

02

What nutrients does loquat have?

Loquat has two common types, white flesh and red flesh, depending on the color of the flesh.

The most common loquat is the red-fleshed loquat, which is a dark-colored fruit. Comparative tests have shown that the carotene content of red-fleshed loquat flesh is significantly higher than that of white-fleshed loquat flesh, an average of 26.6 times higher. [5]

This nutrient can be converted into vitamin A in the body, which can relieve visual fatigue, is beneficial to eye health, maintain the health of the skin and mucous membranes, and has a certain effect on regulating immunity. Especially for today's office workers, who can't do without their mobile phones and computers every day when going to and from work, they need to pay more attention to supplementing carotene.

According to the recommendations of the "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents", it is recommended to eat 200~350g of fruit every day. If you are eating loquats (50~70% edible part), it is recommended to eat 10 (about 200g of edible part).

However, it is important to note that loquat pits are poisonous, so do not eat them! Loquat pits are a good source of amygdalin, which is a toxic substance that decomposes in the body to produce benzaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid, which can easily cause cyanide poisoning. Ingesting large amounts at once can be fatal. [6]

Summarize:

Loquat is a fruit native to my country, not Japan! Although it tastes delicious and is good for health, don't expect it to relieve cough and asthma. If you have a severe cough, you should seek medical attention in time to avoid delaying the condition.

Author | Xue Qingxin, member of Chinese Nutrition Society, registered dietitian, health manager, public nutritionist

Review | Song Shuang, Associate Researcher, Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Editor | Ding Zong

References:

[1] Huang Guiying, Liao Xuezhen. Study on the efficacy of loquat cough granules related to their functions and indications[J]. Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1999, 005(005):42-43.

[2] Wang Liwei, Liu Xinmin, Yu Shichun, et al. Study on the anti-inflammatory and antitussive effects of loquat leaves[J]. Chinese Herbal Medicine, 2004, 35(2):174-176.

[3] Chen Xiaofang, Zhang Qian, Wu Wenqian, et al. Experimental study on the antitussive and expectorant effects of loquat flower ethanol extract [J]. Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine, 2013, 35(001):167-169.

[4] Flora of China: http://www.iplant.cn/info/%E6%9E%87%E6%9D%B7

[5] FU Xiumin. Study on the mechanism of differential accumulation of carotenoids in red and white loquat fruits[D]. Zhejiang University, 2013.

[6] Chen Feiping, Zhou Jiahua, Chang Hong, et al. Research progress on the composition, efficacy and development and utilization of loquat kernel[J]. Food Science, 2012(17):336-340.