Can Loquats Boost Your Immune System? A Detailed Nutritional Breakdown

December 26, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2025 study, researchers reported that loquat's anti-inflammatory effects suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin 6 (IL-6), a key marker of immune response. These tiny, orange fruits, with their tart and sweet flavor, contain a powerhouse of nutrients that suggest they can indeed help boost your immune system, along with offering other significant health benefits.

Quick Summary

Loquats, or Japanese plums, are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds that support a healthy immune system. This article breaks down the nutritional components of loquats, detailing how key nutrients like carotenoids and Vitamin C can enhance the body's natural defenses against illness. The analysis covers both the fruit and the leaves, presenting a comprehensive look at their potential health-promoting properties.

Key Points

Rich in Antioxidants: Loquats contain carotenoids, phenolics, and triterpenes that fight oxidative stress and inflammation, supporting immune function.
Provides Key Vitamins: They offer Vitamin C, Vitamin A (from beta-carotene), and B-complex vitamins, all crucial for a healthy immune response.
Supports Immune Cells: Antioxidant compounds in loquats are known to strengthen immune cells, helping them more effectively combat viruses and bacteria.
Offers Anti-inflammatory Benefits: Loquat fruit and leaf extracts have shown anti-inflammatory effects in studies, which is beneficial for overall immune health.
Versatile and Nutritious: The fruit is a low-calorie, nutrient-dense addition to a balanced diet, while loquat leaves are used for making herbal teas with potential health benefits.
Supports Gut Health: The dietary fiber in loquats, particularly pectin, promotes healthy digestion and a balanced gut microbiome, which is an important component of the immune system.
Rich in Plant Compounds: Loquats are loaded with bioactive plant compounds that contribute to their overall health-promoting and immune-supporting properties.

The Core Nutrients in Loquats That Support Immunity

Loquats (Eriobotrya japonica) are more than just a tasty seasonal treat; they are packed with a variety of nutrients that contribute to overall wellness. The primary way loquats support the immune system is through their impressive antioxidant and vitamin content.

Antioxidants: Fighting Cellular Damage

Antioxidants are compounds that protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, a process known as oxidative stress. Chronic oxidative stress is a known factor in the development of numerous diseases and can weaken immune function. Loquats are particularly rich in several types of antioxidants, including:

Carotenoids: These are the pigments that give loquats their rich yellow-orange color. Notably, loquats contain beta-carotene, which the body converts into Vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for healthy immune function, vision, and cellular growth.
Phenolic Compounds: Loquats are also rich in phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids and chlorogenic acid, which possess powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Triterpenes: Found in loquat leaves and seeds, these compounds have demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory effects in lab settings.

Vitamins: Essential for Immune Response

Beyond antioxidants, loquats provide several vitamins critical for a robust immune system:

Vitamin C: Although the quantity can vary, loquats are a source of Vitamin C, a well-known immune-boosting nutrient. Vitamin C supports the production of white blood cells, which help fight off infections.
B-Vitamins: The fruit contains various B-complex vitamins, including folate and Vitamin B6. These are vital for energy production and the formation of red and white blood cells.
Vitamin A: As a precursor to Vitamin A, the beta-carotene in loquats is crucial for the proper functioning of the immune system and the maintenance of healthy mucous membranes.

The Role of Loquat Leaves in Traditional Medicine

While the fruit is celebrated for its nutritional profile, the leaves of the loquat tree have a long history in traditional Chinese medicine for their purported health benefits.

Anti-inflammatory Effects: Traditional use of loquat leaf tea for respiratory issues like coughs and bronchitis aligns with modern studies that have found anti-inflammatory properties in loquat leaf extracts.
Antioxidant Power: Some studies suggest that loquat leaf extracts may have an even stronger antioxidant effect than the fruit itself, though more research is needed on human consumption.

Loquats and Other Immune System Supporting Fruits: A Comparison

To understand the full scope of loquats' benefits, it's useful to compare their nutritional content with other popular fruits known for boosting immunity. Here is a table comparing a standard 100-gram serving:


Nutrient	Loquat (approx.)	Orange (approx.)	Kiwi (approx.)
Calories	47 kcal	47 kcal	61 kcal
Vitamin C	1–10.5 mg	53.2 mg	92.7 mg
Vitamin A	76 mcg	11 mcg	4 mcg
Dietary Fiber	1.7 g	2.4 g	3.0 g
Potassium	266 mg	181 mg	312 mg
Antioxidants	Carotenoids, Phenolics, Triterpenes	Flavonoids, Carotenoids	Vitamin C, Flavonoids

Note: Nutritional values can vary based on ripeness, variety, and growing conditions. Orange and kiwi data are based on standard USDA information.

As the table shows, while loquats may contain less Vitamin C than some fruits, their robust profile of other antioxidants like carotenoids and phenolic compounds provides a unique and valuable contribution to immune health. The synergy of these different compounds makes loquats a great addition to a varied, health-conscious diet.

Culinary Uses to Maximize Health Benefits

Incorporating loquats into your diet is simple and delicious. The fruit can be eaten fresh, added to salads, or cooked into jams, sauces, and desserts. Loquat leaves can be steeped to make a nourishing herbal tea. When consuming the fruit, always remember to remove the large seeds, which are not edible. For more detailed nutritional information on how loquats compare to other fruits, consult reliable sources like the NIH.

Conclusion: A Worthy Addition to Your Immune-Boosting Diet

In conclusion, can loquats boost your immune system? The answer is a qualified yes. While they are not a magical cure-all, the nutritional content of loquats—especially their impressive array of antioxidants like carotenoids and phenolic compounds, as well as essential vitamins—provides tangible support for a healthy immune system. The traditional use of loquat leaves for their anti-inflammatory properties further solidifies the plant's potential benefits. By incorporating loquats into a balanced diet, you can enjoy their unique flavor while giving your body a natural, nutrient-rich tool to fight off cellular stress and support overall wellness.

: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11450286/ : https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/loquats

Note: The nutritional values in the comparison table are approximations based on average data and can vary. Consult a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized dietary advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

The fruit is most commonly eaten for its nutritional content. The leaves are traditionally used to make herbal tea, known for its anti-inflammatory properties. The seeds are inedible and contain potentially toxic compounds, so they should always be discarded.

No, while loquats do contain Vitamin C, they typically have significantly less than oranges. However, loquats offer a wider range of other antioxidants, like carotenoids, which oranges contain in smaller amounts.

In traditional Chinese medicine, loquat leaf tea has been used to alleviate respiratory ailments like coughs and asthma. Lab studies have found anti-inflammatory properties in loquat leaf extracts, but more human research is needed.

For most people, eating the fruit flesh is safe. The seeds and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides, which are potentially toxic, so they should not be consumed. As with any food, moderation is key, and if you have specific health conditions, consult a doctor.

Loquats contain powerful antioxidants, such as carotenoids and phenolics, that fight against free radicals. By neutralizing these unstable molecules, the antioxidants prevent cellular damage and reduce oxidative stress, which in turn supports a healthier immune system.

Loquats contain anti-inflammatory compounds, particularly in their leaves and seeds, but also in the fruit. These properties help reduce inflammation, which is a major factor in many chronic diseases and can compromise immune function.

You can enjoy loquats fresh, just be sure to remove the seeds. They can also be used in jams, pies, sauces, and smoothies. The leaves can be dried and steeped to make a tea.