The idea that red jujubes (red dates) nourish the blood has been around for a long time. But can red jujubes really nourish the blood? Experts point out that the blood-enriching effect of red jujubes is not ideal.
Experts point out that to prevent iron-deficiency anemia, one must first supplement with iron. However, the iron content in dried red jujubes is only about 2-4 mg/100g, which is very low compared to some animal-based foods, such as pork liver and chicken liver.
In addition, the iron content in red jujubes is not only low, but its absorption rate is also poor. Experts told reporters that if someone is already anemic, the "blood-enriching" foods recommended by doctors and dietitians are often not red jujubes, but red animal organs and red meat. They would also recommend supplementing with vitamin C, as this leads to a faster and better blood-enriching effect. It is difficult to improve anemia by relying solely on eating red jujubes.
However, experts also remind that red jujubes are not entirely ineffective for iron supplementation. Although they are not as good as red meat, they are considered a decent source of iron among plant-based foods, whether dried or fresh. For the general population, eating a small amount of red jujubes daily is a beneficial supplement for preventing anemia, but it cannot be the main measure to solve anemia problems. If one has already met the clinical diagnostic criteria for anemia, they should seek medical attention promptly to determine the cause of the anemia and make comprehensive dietary adjustments. In severe cases, medication is needed for treatment.