Sweet TnT Magazine Trinidad and Tobago Culture
Related Articles
The fruit known as dungs, dounce, dunks, or jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is a nutritional powerhouse with a rich cultural and medicinal legacy. Native to South Asia, this versatile fruit has journeyed across continents, embedding itself into Caribbean traditions, particularly in the West Indies. This article delves into the botany of the jujube plant, its historical voyage to the Caribbean, its scientifically backed health benefits, and offers five traditional recipes that showcase its culinary flexibility.
Scientific description of the jujube plant
Taxonomy and morphology
Belonging to the Rhamnaceae family, Ziziphus jujuba is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing up to 10 metres tall. Its zigzagging branches bear glossy, oval leaves with three prominent veins, while small, fragrant yellow-green flowers bloom in clusters. The fruit, a drupe, starts green and matures to a reddish-brown or purplish-black hue with a wrinkled texture. Each fruit contains a single hard seed encased in sweet, chewy flesh, reminiscent of dates in flavour and texture.
Growth habits
Jujube thrives in arid and semi-arid climates, tolerating droughts and poor soils. Its hardiness made it a favoured crop for tropical regions like the West Indies, where it flourishes in well-drained soils under full sun.
Historical journey: How jujube reached the West Indies
The jujube’s arrival in the Caribbean is intertwined with colonial trade routes and diaspora movements. During the 18th and 19th centuries, British and French colonisers introduced Asian botanicals to the West Indies for economic and medicinal purposes.
Additionally, indentured labourers from India and China brought jujube seeds as a familiar remedy and food source, planting them in kitchen gardens. Over time, the fruit naturalised across the islands, earning local names like dungs (Jamaica), dounce (Trinidad), and dunks (Barbados). Its resilience and nutritional value cemented its role in Afro-Caribbean herbal medicine and cuisine.
Medicinal properties and health benefits of dungs
Jujube has been revered for millennia in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Modern studies validate its therapeutic potential:
1. Immune system support
Jujube, or dungs, is a potent ally for immune health due to its high vitamin C content (69mg per 100g) and a suite of antioxidants, including flavonoids and polysaccharides. Vitamin C stimulates the production and function of white blood cells, such as neutrophils and lymphocytes, which are critical for combating pathogens.
It also acts as a co-factor for enzymes involved in synthesizing collagen, a protein essential for maintaining mucosal barriers in the respiratory and digestive tracts. Flavonoids like quercetin and rutin neutralise free radicals, reducing oxidative stress that can impair immune responses. Polysaccharides, such as jujube’s beta-glucans, enhance immune activity by activating macrophages and natural killer cells, which identify and destroy infected or cancerous cells.
A 2017 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology demonstrated that jujube extract significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α and IL-6) and inhibited viral replication in vitro, likely by interfering with viral RNA synthesis. This dual action—curbing inflammation and bolstering cellular immunity—makes jujube a functional food for preventing infections and chronic inflammatory conditions.
2. Digestive health
Jujube’s digestive benefits stem from its high dietary fiber (6g per 100g) and bioactive saponins. The insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool, accelerating transit time through the intestines and alleviating constipation, while soluble fibre acts as a prebiotic, fermenting in the colon to nourish beneficial gut bacteria like Bifidobacterium.
This microbial balance is crucial for nutrient absorption and reducing bloating. Saponins, such as jujuboside A and B, protect the gastric mucosa by inhibiting Helicobacter pylori adhesion and suppressing excess gastric acid secretion, which can erode the stomach lining. Animal studies show that jujube extracts reduce ulcer formation by upregulating mucin production, a glycoprotein that shields the stomach wall.
Additionally, its mild antispasmodic properties relax intestinal smooth muscle, easing cramps and indigestion. Traditional Caribbean remedies often steep dried jujube in teas to soothe dyspepsia and acid reflux.
3. Sleep and anxiety relief
Jujube’s calming effects are attributed to triterpenoids (e.g., betulinic acid) and alkaloids that modulate the GABAergic system. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, slowing neuronal activity to promote relaxation.
Jujube compounds bind to GABA-A receptors, mimicking the action of anti-anxiety drugs like diazepam but without the risk of dependency. A 2020 randomised trial in Phytomedicine found that participants taking jujube extract experienced a 30% reduction in sleep latency (time to fall asleep) and improved sleep duration, comparable to low-dose diazepam. Triterpenoids also suppress cortisol release, mitigating stress-induced hyperarousal.
Furthermore, jujube increases serotonin levels, a precursor to melatonin, the sleep-regulating hormone. This multi-target approach makes it effective for mild insomnia and generalised anxiety disorder.
4. Cardiovascular protection
Jujube supports heart health through its potassium content (250mg per 100g) and betulinic acid. Potassium counteracts sodium’s vasoconstrictive effects by promoting endothelial nitric oxide production, which relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. A potassium-rich diet is linked to a 24% reduced risk of stroke.
Betulinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene, inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme responsible for cholesterol synthesis, thereby lowering LDL (“bad” cholesterol) by up to 20% in preclinical models. It also prevents LDL oxidation, a key step in atherosclerosis plaque formation. Additionally, jujube’s antioxidants reduce arterial inflammation, improving endothelial function. Regular consumption may reduce hypertension and atherosclerosis risk, as evidenced by a 2019 study in Food & Function showing improved lipid profiles in hypercholesterolemic rats fed jujube extract.
5. Anticancer potential
Jujube’s anticancer properties are driven by jujuboside and other bioactive compounds that induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in malignant cells. Jujuboside activates caspase enzymes, which dismantle cellular components, and upregulates pro-apoptotic proteins like Bax while downregulating anti-apoptotic Bcl-2.
In breast cancer cells, this process is mediated by the suppression of PI3K/Akt signaling, a pathway critical for tumor survival. For colon cancer, jujube polysaccharides inhibit angiogenesis, starving tumours of nutrients. A 2021 Oncology Reports study highlighted jujube extract’s selective cytotoxicity—destroying cancer cells while sparing healthy ones—due to its ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) within tumours. While human trials are pending, its low toxicity and multimodal mechanism make it a promising adjunct to conventional therapies.
Artisan® Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Premium Touchpoints
- The Power and Durability to Take It All On
- 5 Quart Capacity for Small or Large Batches
- Easily add Ingredients with the Tilt-Head Design
- 10 Speeds for Nearly any Task or Recipe
- 10+ Attachments Available to Make More with your Mixer
US$379.99
