Loquats are small fruits with a sweet, slightly tart flavor. Recent research suggests that loquats may offer a variety of health benefits, including protection against some diseases.
The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a tree in the rose family native to China. It is prized for its sweet fruit.
Loquats are small, round fruits that grow in clusters. Their color varies from yellow to red-orange, depending on the variety.
Loquat fruit, seeds, and leaves are packed with potent plant compounds and have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years.
Here are 7 surprising health benefits of loquats.
Loquats are low calorie fruits that provide numerous vitamins and minerals, making them very nutritious.
- Calories: 70
- Carbs: 18 grams
- Protein: 0.6 gram
- Fiber: 2.5 grams
- Provitamin A: 12.5% of the
Daily Value (DV) - Vitamin B6: 11.5% of the DV
- Folate (vitamin B9): 5% of the DV
- Magnesium: 5% of the DV
- Potassium: 8% of the DV
- Manganese: 8% of the DV
These fruits are particularly high in carotenoid antioxidants, which prevent cellular damage and may protect against disease. Carotenoids are also precursors to vitamin A, which is essential for healthy vision, immune function, and cellular growth.
In addition, loquats boast folate and vitamin B6, which are important for energy production and blood cell formation.
What’s more, they provide magnesium and potassium, which are essential for nerve and muscle function, as well as manganese, which supports bone health and metabolism.
Additionally, loquats contain small amounts of vitamin C, thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), copper, iron, calcium, and phosphorus.
Loquats’ plant compounds benefit your health in several ways.
For example, they’re an excellent source of carotenoid antioxidants, including beta carotene — though darker, red or orange varieties tend to offer more carotenoids than paler ones.
Carotenoids have been shown to enhance your immune system, reduce inflammation, and protect against heart and eye diseases.
In particular, diets rich in beta carotene have been linked to a lower risk of certain cancers, including colorectal and lung cancer, though additional studies are needed.
An older review of 7 studies also associated high beta carotene intake with a significantly lower risk of death from all causes, compared with low beta carotene intake.
Moreover, loquats are rich in phenolic compounds, which possess antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties and may help safeguard against several conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.
Loquats may bolster heart health due to their concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
In particular, their potassium and magnesium are essential for blood pressure regulation and the proper functioning of your arteries.
Their carotenoids and phenolic compounds may likewise protect against heart disease by reducing inflammation and preventing cellular damage.
Carotenoids have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that help prevent plaque buildup in your arteries, which is the
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Some older research suggests that extracts of the skin, leaves, and seeds of loquat have anticancer effects.
For instance, a 2017 in vitro study showed that an extract from loquat fruit skins significantly inhibited the growth and spread of human bladder cancer cells.
Additionally, substances in loquats’ skin and flesh, including carotenoids and phenolic compounds, are known to possess anticancer properties.
Beta carotene has exhibited cancer-fighting effects in older in vitro and animal studies. At the same time, chlorogenic acid — a phenolic compound — has been shown to suppress tumor growth in multiple test-tube studies.
On the other hand, it should be noted that beta carotene supplements have not been found to have the same cancer-fighting effects.
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Furthermore, human research
Nonetheless, more studies on loquats are needed.
Loquats may improve metabolic health by reducing levels of triglycerides, blood sugar, and insulin — a hormone that helps move blood sugar into your cells to be used for energy.
Various parts of the loquat tree, including its leaves and seeds, have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat metabolic issues like high blood sugar.
In an 8-week study, mice fed a standard diet or a high sugar/high fat diet with loquat juice improved their lipids, liver enzymes, weight, and inflammation compared to mice who didn’t receive the loquat juice.
Other rodent studies suggest that loquat leaf and seed extracts may lower blood sugar as well.
However, human studies are necessary.
Chronic inflammation is linked to many health conditions, including heart disease, brain ailments, and diabetes.
Some research suggests that loquats have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
In a 2025 study, researchers reported that loquat’s anti-inflammatory effects suppress production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-alpha), and inflammatory biomarkers.
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These potent anti-inflammatory effects are likely due to loquats’ wide array of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. All the same, human research is needed.
Loquats grow in semitropical environments. In these regions, they may be purchased from local farmers or even grown in backyards.
If you live in a colder climate, they’re harder to find, but depending on the time of year, they may be available at specialty grocery stores.
Loquats taste sweet, yet slightly tart, with notes of citrus. Be sure to choose fully ripe loquats, as immature fruit is sour. Ripe ones turn a bright yellow-orange and are soft to the touch.
As loquats rot quickly, you should eat them within a few days of purchase.
You can add them to your diet in a variety of ways, including:
- raw, paired with cheese or nuts as a snack
- tossed into a fruit salad
- stewed with maple syrup and cinnamon as a sweet topping for oatmeal
- baked into pies and cakes
- made into jam or jelly
- added to a smoothie alongside spinach, Greek yogurt, avocado, coconut milk, and frozen banana
- combined with peppers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs for a delectable salsa
- cooked and served with meat or poultry as a sweet side
- juiced for cocktails and mocktails
If you aren’t planning on enjoying loquats immediately, you can refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks. You can also dehydrate, can, or freeze them to extend their shelf life.
Loquats are delicious fruits that offer a variety of health benefits.
They’re low in calories but boast plenty of vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory plant compounds.
Plus, some research suggests they may safeguard against conditions such as heart disease and certain cancers and reduce blood sugar, triglyceride, and insulin levels.
If you’re curious, try to find loquats at your local specialty store. You can also buy loquat tea, syrup, candy, and seedlings online.