14 AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS OF MEDLAR - NUTRITION - 2025

The most prominent benefits of loquat are its ability to prevent cardiovascular diseases, weight loss properties, fight constipation, help regenerate cell tissue, prevent cancer, combat premenstrual syndrome and others that we will explain below.

It has multiple varieties and its origin creates some controversy, although everything indicates that it comes from Japan. It is normally grown during the spring, but its consumption occurs during all months of the year.

This fruit is known for its pleasant taste, in fact in many countries it is valued as a culinary delicacy, in addition, it is also used for medicinal purposes and is highly recommended for the amount of vitamins and minerals it contributes to the body. Below we will detail other health benefits of the medlar.

14 Benefits of medlar to the body

1- Prevents different types of cardiovascular diseases

The medlar is characterized by having a high content of dietary fiber. This compound provides numerous physiological benefits to the body. First of all, it helps retain water and oil and its consumption prevents diseases related to heart and blood vessel disorders.

2- It is a food that helps weight loss

The medlar is a fruit that has a low caloric value. It is estimated that one piece can have around 40 calories. In addition, its soluble fiber content contributes to it being a food that has to be chewed at a moderate pace. This fact reduces the feeling of anxiety, in addition, fiber causes fats to be absorbed slowly.

3- It is an ally to combat constipation

Again, dietary fiber or soluble fiber plays an important role since it is a natural laxative that drives away constipation and fluid retention. This compound decreases the intestinal transit time and accelerates the evacuation process.

4- Helps absorb harmful substances for the body

Almost a quarter of the medlar's composition is made up of pectin. It is a component formed by the union of a multitude of simple sugars. Pectin is an intestinal absorbent that helps prevent the appearance of certain diseases, above all, it plays a decisive role in lowering cholesterol levels.

5- Its consumption is positive for growth

Like other fruits, the medlar is rich in vitamin C, a component that is necessary for the growth and repair of tissues in any part of the body, in addition, it helps the body to stabilize the levels of iron, a mineral that is necessary for production of proteins and hemoglobin.

This vitamin is positive for bones, skin, and connective tissue. Its consumption is especially recommended in pregnant women, smokers and in people who are in rehabilitation processes or have suffered some type of inflammation in the skin.

6- Helps to regenerate cell tissue

The medlar is a fruit rich in antioxidants. This substance helps to repair cell tissue by protecting them from the action of free radicals that cause damage to DNA and some parts of cells. Antioxidants also have the ability to delay aging and prevent the onset of heart problems.

7- Promotes the balance of the body

Potassium is one of the components that are part of the medlar. This component has the ability to keep the water levels in the body balanced, it also promotes cell development, and contributes to the proper functioning of the nervous system, bones and muscles.

8- Its consumption is beneficial for growth

One of the minerals that make up the medlar is calcium, this is the mineral that has the most presence in the human body that stores it in bones and teeth, helping both to function correctly.

Muscles, blood and cell tissue also store certain amounts of calcium, this favors muscle contraction and relaxation, as well as the activity of the nervous system and the secretion of enzymes and hormones.

9- It is a fruit that helps prevent cancer

Other components that are part of the medlar are essential fatty acids. Some of them are harmful to health, but others have multiple benefits. Different studies have shown that linoleic acid, present in the composition of medlar, can inhibit the formation and development of cancer, especially those of the breast, skin, liver and colon.

10- Provides energy to the body

Carbohydrates are also present in the composition of this fruit, in fact it is estimated that of a 100 gram piece of medlar, 25 are carbohydrates. This element is responsible for providing energy to the body by converting carbohydrates into glucose that goes directly to cells, tissues, organs and muscles.

11- Helps fight premenstrual syndrome

Another component that is also part of the medlar is manganese, this mineral is very beneficial for the body. Sometimes it is used in medicine, since a manganese deficiency weakens the bones, and causes anemia and delays in menstruation, in Asian countries such as Iran, women who suffer from this last ailment incorporate loquats into their diet to regulate the cycle menstrual.

12- Its consumption is positive for diabetics

The medlar is a fruit that provides natural sugars, but in small quantities, it is estimated that around 7 grams per serving, for this reason, it is an ideal food for people suffering from diabetes.

13- Contributes to the preservation of body tissues

Another element that is present in the medlar is copper. This mineral provides numerous benefits, favors the creation of red blood cells, helps the proper functioning of blood vessels and nerves and strengthens the immune system, in addition, it helps the body in the absorption of iron.

14- Promotes hydration of the body

As with other fruits, most of the medlar is made up of water, from a 100-gram piece of medlar, about 87 are water for this reason, the consumption of the medlar is highly recommended during spring, summer, or at times when the body has eliminated significant amounts of fluid.

Components that are part of this fruit

The many health benefits of medlar are due to the multitude of components that are present in its composition, including chemical compounds, minerals and even fats. Many of these vary depending on the variety of this fruit that is consumed.

The most abundant component in the medlar is water, followed by carbohydrates, behind them are elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium or folates.

To a lesser extent, there are fiber, vitamin C, and vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B6 along with minerals such as iron, zinc, copper, and selenium. The compound with the least presence is fat.

Loquat varieties that are produced on the planet

Although it is estimated that there may be more, there are three best-known species of plants that produce the medlar fruit, they generally have common characteristics, but have small nuances typical of each type of medlar.

The variety of the Japanese medlar is the one that has reached the most popularity. It began cultivating in China to later move to other countries such as Japan, India or Mongolia. Over the centuries, this variety has crossed numerous borders to reach places such as Argentina, the Canary Islands, Hawaii and regions of the Mediterranean basin.

This variety is shaped like a large bush or small tree, its height can reach 10 meters although it rarely reaches these measures. A differentiating element of this species are its leaves that are usually covered by beautiful yellowish-green. The medlar fruits of this species bloom in autumn and winter and ripen at the end of the latter season or in spring.

In Europe, the European medlar has reached some popularity. The tree that bears this fruit is grown in various areas of Germany and in the southeast of this continent. If optimal conditions are met, it can reach 8 meters in height. Its medlar fruits bloom in the months of May and June, when ripe they can reach 3 centimeters and have a pleasant bittersweet flavor.

Another well-known variety is the masaranduba. This species develops in South America, Central America and the Antilles and its main characteristic is that it is a tree that can reach 50 meters in height.

The medlar fruits that it produces are not large and, although they are edible, in these areas of the planet they are used for other purposes.

Economic importance of the crop

The Japanese medlar has been the variety that has been most cultivated and spread throughout the planet. It came to Europe from China in the 18th century and various theories suggest that it was the Jesuits who introduced this plant, first cultivating it in France and later spreading it throughout the Mediterranean basin reaching countries such as Algeria, Turkey, Italy or Israel.

The first producer of medlar is China, followed by Spain, Japan, Italy and Brazil. Although this fruit has spread throughout the Mediterranean basin, Spain is the first producing country in this area, especially the communities of Valencia, Andalusia, Murcia, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.

In addition, Spain is the main importer of medlar, sending 70% of its production to countries such as Italy, Portugal and France.

Better conditions for the cultivation of medlar

Weather

The first essential element is the climate that must be warm-temperate with mild winters. The medlar can grow in places where temperatures are more extreme, but it grows only as an ornamental plant, its flavor loses quality and it is not usually used for trade.

Floor

Another important element is the soil, this fruit can be produced in a multitude of surfaces, whether sandy or clayey, but it is essential that it has good drainage, if this factor does not work, the size of the fruit can be either excessively large or too small., and its maturation will be early or very late. It is also not recommended to expose it to excessive salinity conditions.

Water

The regulation of the amounts of water is a decisive factor for its development. These should be moderate. For example, if annual rainfall does not exceed 1,500 mm, it is necessary to increase irrigation so that production is abundant and fruit conditions are optimal. If the amounts of water are scarce, the production of this fruit can be reduced and the size of the fruit will be very small.

The rains that occur during the fall can damage the development of the medlar. The reason is that they cause premature blooms that are later exposed to winter frosts.

They can also harm the rainfall that occurs once the fruit has matured since it can reduce its quality and cause cracks and damage to its surface.

Risks of excessive consumption

Consuming this fruit in excessive amounts can cause health problems due to the activity exerted by some of its components, especially due to the influence of palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid that increases blood cholesterol levels and can even accelerate metastasis in some cells.

Another aspect to take into account is that the medlar should not be taken after having made a significant physical effort. Although it is true that it is a fruit that helps hydrate the body, its contribution of nutrients and mineral salts may not be enough to recover the body. If you want to use it for this purpose it is better to consult a doctor.

An exaggerated intake of loquat can also cause nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. This is produced by vitamin C which, despite being an element that produces a multitude of benefits, an excess can increase iron levels and damage cell tissue.

The presence of calcium can also cause harmful effects if consumed in excess, especially in adults who may suffer from kidney stones, constipation or inhibit the absorption of other minerals such as copper or iron.

References

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2. Bibalani, GH, & Mosazadeh-Sayadmahaleh, F. (2012). Medicinal benefits and usage of medlar (Mespilus germanica) in Gilan Province (Roudsar District), Iran. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 6 (7), 1155-1159.
3. Calcium, fact sheet for consumers. medline, 11-22-2016

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