Hovenia Dulcis: A Promising Superfruit And 6 Powerful Benefits
Hovenia dulcis is a fruit native to Asia with a long history of use in traditional medicine and its nutritional benefits. As a supplement manufacturer using Hovenia Dulcis, in this article we will explore everything you need to know about it, its uses, and its potential health benefits.
Hovenia Dulcis
Hovenia Dulcis, also known as the Oriental raisin tree or Japanese raisin tree, grows on a tree native to East Asia such as Japan and China.
The tree produces a small fruit that resembles a raisin, and the fruit, seeds, and peduncles are all used as a hovenia dulcis extract for it's nutritional and traditional medicine benefits.
What Is Hovenia Dulcis Good For?
The Hovenia dulcis herb family have a long history of use as traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years with dates going back to as early as 660 BC.²
More recently, scientific research has focused on the potential health benefits of Hovenia Dulcis. In studies, many pharmacological effects have been observed included hepatoprotection (liver supporting), anti-inflammatory, antiallergic activities, antioxidative, antimicrobial, and alcohol detoxification properties.
What Does Hovenia Dulcis Taste Like?
Hovenia dulcis has a sweet taste and the texture of raisin. The taste-active principle is "hodulcin", and even the meaning of dulcis is sweet, delightful, and pleasant.⁵
There's no doubt you'll enjoy the taste of hovenia dulcis. In fact, many of our customers of Zaca love the taste of our chewables, and hovenia duclis is a contributor.
Nutritional Value Of Hovenia Dulcis
Hovenia Duclis is loaded with beneficial nutrients that support the health and wellness of your body. Being notoriously known for high antioxidants levels, Hovenia Duclis include flavonoids and biologically active compounds.
Note that while DHM is a popular supplement, it is just one flavonoid contained within hovenia dulcis. There's a major difference between DHM isolated and using the full-spectrum plant of hovenia dulcis that contains DHM.
- Dihydromyricetin (DHM or Ampelopsin)
- Myricetin
- Quercetin
- Saponin Derivatives
- Hovenodulinol
- Hovenitin I
- Hodulosides I – V
- Taxifolin
- (+)-Afzelechin
- (−)-Catechin
The synergy of the components are what powers the benefits of hovenia duclis.
How To Consume Hovenia Dulcis
Hovenia Dulcis can be consumed in a variety of forms, including whole fruit form and supplements including pills, powders and chewables.
-
Fresh Fruit: The fruit can be eaten fresh either raw or cooked. The fleshy rachis is sweet and is used in East Asian cuisine and deserts. It can be consumed as a dried fruit which tastes like raisins, or extracts from the seeds and leaves are used as a sugar replacement in wine and candy.⁶
-
Tea: Known as oriental raisin tea or hovenia dulcis tea, this is a popular Asian option to consume this promising fruit.
-
Supplement Extract: Hovenia Dulcis extract is available in supplement form, and is often used for its liver protecting and antioxidant properties. As a supplement, Hovenia Dulcis comes in pills, powders, and chewable tablets.
Pick your preference of consuming hovenia dulcis based on whether you want to enjoy the sweetness of this plan or the cherished medicinal benefits.
6 Powerful Benefits Of Hovenia Dulcis
Hovenia Dulcis or Chinese Raisin Tree is a unique and powerful herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
In recent years hovenia dulcis has become popular not only with drinkers, but also with travelers and athletes who are looking for an edge. Due to the wide range of hovenia dulcis benefits, this plant has dynamic usages.
Here's 6 Powerful Benefits Of Hovenia Dulcis:
1. Liver Protection
Hovenia Dulcis has been used in traditional medicine to protect and strengthen the liver. Studies have shown that the fruit contains compounds such as dihydromyricetin (DHM) with hepatoprotective effects and could help protect the liver from alcohol-related injury.⁷ And to the extent that it even reduced liver injuries.⁹
Taking the peduncles of hovenia dulcis displayed high glutathione (GSH) levels and a better overall antioxidant profile.⁸ Glutathione is widely known to be the body's master antioxidant and playing a key role in liver aid.
2. Enhance Physical Performance
Research out of South Korea show hovenia duclis to improve swimming performance by enhance physical activity.¹² Stress hormones including cortisol were found to be significantly reduced.¹²
It was concluded that that anti-stress and antioxidant properties of hovenia duclis could enhance physical performance which could expand benefits to runners, swimmers, climbers, cyclists, and overall athletes.
3. Alcohol Detoxification
With the protective effects of hovenia dulcis, Northwest A&F University studied the plant and showed it to demonstrate benefits in reducing alcohol's adverse results.⁸
A 2006 study suggested that hovenia duclis prompted expression of the enzymes in the body that
help break down alcohol — including alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) (which reportedly helps
Asian Glow).¹⁰ ¹¹ For these reasons, hovenia dulcis extact has become a common use for the detoxification of alcohol.
4. Reduce Fatigue
The same study showing enhanced physical performance found evidence of an anti-fatigue effect from hovenia dulcis.¹²
By lowering fatigue in the body, this fruit is proven to have dual benefits to exercise and athletic performance.
5. Altitude Adjustment
Dihydromyricetin (DHM), an important flavonoid in hovenia dulcis, was studied in simulated high altitude.¹³ The flavonoid was found to improve physical performance in high altitude conditions — which could be an ideal regime for climbers, hikers, and travelers.
It's believed to achieve high-altitude performance enhancing capabilities by counteracting altitude mitochondrial injury, improving cellular antioxidant capacity, and helping ATP synthesis.¹³
6. Boost Antioxidants
The results of many studies show hovenia duclis to be loaded with antioxidant activity.⁷ These antioxidant properties seem to be a key part in how the plant may help the body in so many ways.
One study quoted that hovenia dulcis "possessed strong antioxidant activity" and "contained remarkable phenols and flavonoids." Hovenia dulcis bioactive compounds are proven to help with oxidative stress.⁷
In summary, these powerful benefits of hovenia dulcis include — liver protection, enhancing physical performance, alcohol detoxification, reducing fatigue, altitude adjustment, and boosting antioxidants.
Top Hovenia Dulcis Supplement
Experience the power of hovenia duclis with Zaca. The first to offer hovenia dulcis in a chewable, Zaca is designed to help you feel better faster. Our chewable tablets are packed with top-quality hovenia dulcis extract — made with a proprietary blend of every part of the plant including the fruit, seeds, and peduncles. This results in the most powerful formula you want see in DHM-isolated supplements, and blended with other natural ingredients including glutathione for high antioxidant benefits.
Our premium hovenia dulcis supplement is perfect for busy professionals, fitness enthusiasts, climbers, travelers, and anyone who wants to feel their best. Simply take 2-4 chewables per day or as needed. Try Zaca's hovenia dulcis supplement today and bounce back faster!
SOURCES:
1. Hovenia Dulcis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hovenia_dulcis
2. Traditional Chinese Gangover
https://news.usc.edu/147428/traditional-chinese-cure-potential-alzheimers-disease-treatment/
3. Hot-Water Extract Of The Branches Of Hovenia Dulcis Thunb.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5892967/
4. Hovenia dulcis – An Asian Traditional Herb
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/pdf/10.1055/s-0030-1249776.pdf
5. Hodulcin: Selective Sweetness-Reducing Principle From Hovenia Dulcis Leaves
https://academic.oup.com/chemse/article-abstract/13/4/529/295318?redirectedFrom=fulltext
6. Hovenia Dulcis - A Look At The Oriental Raisin Tree
https://www.scottarboretum.org/hovenia-dulcis/
7. Hepatoprotective Effects Of Hovenia Dulcis Seeds Against Alcoholic Liver Injury
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7327782/
8. Effects Of Hovenia Dulcis Peduncles On Chronically Alcohol-Induced Liver Damage
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22648047/
9. Treatment Of Chronic Liver Injuries - Extract Of The Fruit Of Hovenia Dulcis
https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0192415X07005181?journalCode=ajcm
10. Influence Of Hovenia Dulcis On Alcohol Concentration In Blood And Activity Of Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17048612/
11. Dihydromyricetin Protects the Liver via Changes in Lipid Metabolism and Enhanced Ethanol Metabolism
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32267550/
12. Anti-Fatigue Activity Of Hovenia Dulcis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23895162/
13. Dihydromyricetin Improves Physical Performance Under Simulated High Altitude
https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2014/11000/Dihydromyricetin_Improves_Physical_Performance.6.aspx
14. Hovenia Dulcis (Japanese Raisin Tree)
https://examine.com/supplements/japanese-raisin-tree/
