Jujube boosts immune system: Medical experts

KABUL (Pajhwok): Health experts endorse reports on social media and internet sites regarding the efficiency of jujube in boosting the immune system. They, however, say the red dates cannot be a remedy for the coronavirus.

Claim: Strengthening the body’s immune system against Covid-19 by consuming jujube.

Verdict: Surely, jujube consumption is effective in boosting immunity, but this fruit cannot be the treatment of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Imna News released a report that said: “Consumption of jujube boosts body’s immunity.”

It said: “Jujube is a fruit with significant medical substances that, according to a member of Yazd University of Medical Sciences, strengthen the immune system. They body can play an effective role in preventing the spread of influenza and coronavirus.”

A Twitter page — Neemcha Doctor –said: “Drink jujube tea with ginger, lemon and honey and you will sleep well for two days. Don’t forget that these three are the only remedy for the coronavirus.”

Medical experts also confirmed the effectiveness of jujube — known by the scientific name Ziziphus — in boosting the body’s immunity.

Dr. Mohammad Basir Khabir, an internal medicine and Covid specialist at the Mazar-i-Sharif Hospital, told Pajhwok: “We cannot consider fruits an anti-microbial source of Covid. But each fruit has its own benefits for the human body and increases immunity.”

He advised people to use more fruits and vegetables, observe social distancing, wear masks and wash hands with soap in order to save their lives and families.

Dr. Faridullah Omari, a trainer and specialist at Antani Hospital in Kabul, said: “Jujube has many benefits and that’s why it is also known as red pearl. It plays a vital role in boosting immunity during Covid-19. It is also used for strengthening the liver.”

While explaining that jujube cannot be a remedy against Covid, he asked Covid patients to use this fruit in order to boost their immune system.

Dr. Mohammad Hashim Wahaj, director of Wahaj Hospital in Kabul, said not only jujube fruit but all food items such as vegetables and fruits played a key role in preventing the virus and boosting immunity.

He said: “Our goal is that the body should be able to fight not only the Covid-19 virus but all diseases. If we have a healthy body, germs, virus and diseases cannot affect it easily.”

Dr. Sharafat Zaman, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, said: “We cannot say anything directly about this fruit, whether it is useful or not. If anything, it’s fruitful for strengthening the body’s immunity. Its consumption can be helpful.”

sa/mud