# Diospyros lotus (Date Plum)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/diospyros-lotus
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-24
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Fruit
**Also Known As:** Diospyros lotus, Caucasian persimmon, European persimmon, Lotus persimmon, Turkish persimmon, Wild persimmon, Small-fruited persimmon

## Overview

Diospyros lotus, commonly called Date Plum, is a small wild fruit containing phenolic compounds such as gallic acid and flavonoids that exhibit free radical scavenging activity in laboratory models. Its primary studied mechanism involves inhibition of oxidative stress through electron donation to [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), though no human clinical trials have confirmed these effects.

## Health Benefits

• [Antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) demonstrated only in laboratory studies (in vitro DPPH radical scavenging assays) - no human evidence available
• Contains phenolic compounds including gallic acid (up to 287.5 μg/g in water extracts) - potential health effects unverified in humans
• May provide ferric ion reducing capacity based on laboratory assays - clinical relevance unknown
• Contains flavonoids like myricetin (2.75-5.28 μg/g) - human health benefits not studied
• No clinical evidence exists for any health benefits in humans

## Mechanism of Action

Gallic acid and other hydrolyzable tannins isolated from Diospyros lotus donate hydrogen atoms to neutralize DPPH and ABTS [free radical](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)s, measured by reductions in radical absorbance in vitro. Phenolic hydroxyl groups chelate ferric ions (Fe³⁺), reducing them to ferrous form (Fe²⁺) in FRAP assays, which may limit iron-catalyzed Fenton reactions that generate hydroxyl radicals. Flavonoid aglycones present in the fruit may also inhibit pro-[inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) enzymes such as COX-2 and lipoxygenase through competitive binding, though this has not been confirmed in animal or human studies.

## Clinical Summary

All available evidence for Diospyros lotus comes from in vitro laboratory assays; no randomized controlled trials or human observational studies have been published as of 2024. Water extracts of the fruit demonstrated gallic acid concentrations up to 287.5 μg/g and measurable DPPH radical scavenging activity in test-tube models. Some phytochemical analyses have characterized the fruit's tannin and flavonoid profiles in Serbian and Turkish wild populations, but these studies report chemical composition only, not health outcomes. The overall evidence base is preliminary and insufficient to support any clinical health claim.

## Nutritional Profile

Diospyros lotus (Date Plum) is a small wild fruit with moderate caloric density. Macronutrients per 100g fresh weight (approximate): carbohydrates 18-25g (primarily simple sugars including glucose and fructose, with sucrose in smaller fractions), dietary fiber 3-5g (mix of soluble and insoluble fractions), protein 0.8-1.5g, fat 0.2-0.5g. Moisture content approximately 70-80% in fresh fruit, dropping significantly in dried form which concentrates sugars and phenolics. Micronutrients: vitamin C present at modest levels (estimated 5-15mg/100g, lower than closely related D. kaki/persimmon), potassium is the dominant mineral (~200-300mg/100g estimated), with smaller contributions from calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus; iron content low (<1mg/100g). Bioactive compounds: total phenolic content measured at 287.5 μg gallic acid equivalents per gram in aqueous extracts; gallic acid is the primary identified phenolic; flavonoids including quercetin and kaempferol derivatives detected qualitatively in published phytochemical screenings; tannins (hydrolyzable type) present and responsible for astringency in unripe fruit - tannin content decreases substantially upon ripening/bletting. Carotenoids present at low levels contributing to orange-yellow coloration. Bioavailability notes: phenolic bioavailability likely moderate and matrix-dependent; tannins in unripe fruit may reduce protein and mineral absorption; bletting (post-harvest softening) significantly reduces tannin content and improves palatability and likely nutrient accessibility. Most compositional data derive from wild-collected Eastern European and Central Asian specimens with notable variation by genotype and ripeness stage.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges exist as no human trials have been conducted. Laboratory extraction methods use dry fruit powder with various solvents, but no standardized forms or therapeutic doses have been established. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

No formal human safety studies, toxicology trials, or established tolerable upper intake levels exist for Diospyros lotus fruit or its extracts. The high tannin content found in unripe fruit could theoretically inhibit dietary iron and protein absorption if consumed in large quantities, a concern shared with other tannin-rich foods. Individuals taking anticoagulants such as warfarin should use caution, as gallic acid has demonstrated antiplatelet activity in isolated cell studies, though clinically significant interactions have not been documented. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid concentrated extracts due to a complete absence of safety data in these populations.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses were identified for Diospyros lotus. Research is limited exclusively to in vitro [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) assessments and phytochemical analyses, with no PubMed-indexed clinical studies available.

## Historical & Cultural Context

The research sources provide no documentation of historical or traditional medicinal uses of Diospyros lotus. References are limited to modern phytochemical analyses without any ethnobotanical or traditional medicine context.

## Synergistic Combinations

Other [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)-rich fruits, vitamin C, vitamin E, polyphenol supplements, quercetin

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is Diospyros lotus and how is it different from common persimmon?

Diospyros lotus, or Date Plum, is a wild species in the Ebenaceae family native to Southwest Asia and Southern Europe, producing small (1–2 cm) blue-black or yellow fruits distinct from the larger commercial persimmon (Diospyros kaki). It contains higher concentrations of hydrolyzable tannins, particularly gallic acid up to 287.5 μg/g in water extracts, compared to cultivated persimmon varieties. It is rarely found as a commercial supplement and is more often studied as a wild foraged food.

### Does Diospyros lotus have proven antioxidant benefits in humans?

No human studies have tested the antioxidant effects of Diospyros lotus; all evidence is limited to in vitro DPPH and FRAP assays performed on fruit extracts in laboratory settings. While gallic acid and flavonoids present in the fruit are potent radical scavengers in test tubes, in vitro antioxidant activity does not reliably predict bioavailability or efficacy in the human body. Consumers should not interpret positive laboratory results as confirmed health benefits.

### What are the main bioactive compounds in Date Plum fruit?

The primary identified bioactives in Diospyros lotus include gallic acid (a hydrolyzable tannin), ellagic acid, catechins, and various flavonoid glycosides such as quercetin and kaempferol derivatives. Carotenoids including beta-carotene contribute to the fruit's color and are present in measurable quantities in ripe specimens. The relative concentrations of these compounds vary significantly depending on fruit ripeness, geographic origin, and extraction method used in analysis.

### Is there a standard dosage for Diospyros lotus supplements?

No evidence-based dosage has been established for Diospyros lotus in any form, as no human pharmacokinetic or dose-finding studies have been conducted. The fruit is not widely available as a standardized supplement, and commercial products referencing it do not have validated dosages backed by clinical data. Until human trials define safe and effective doses, no specific quantity can be recommended.

### Can Diospyros lotus interact with medications?

Gallic acid, one of the predominant phenolics in Diospyros lotus, has shown antiplatelet and mild anticoagulant effects in isolated cell and animal studies, raising a theoretical interaction risk with warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, and other blood-thinning medications. High tannin intake from the fruit could also reduce the absorption of iron supplements and certain antibiotics like tetracyclines if consumed simultaneously. These interactions are theoretical based on compound-level data and have not been documented in clinical case reports or trials.

### What is the difference between Date Plum extract and whole Date Plum fruit in terms of nutrient concentration?

Date Plum extracts, particularly water-based extracts, concentrate phenolic compounds like gallic acid to levels up to 287.5 μg/g, making them significantly more potent than whole fruit. However, whole fruit provides additional fiber and nutrients that may be lost during extraction processes. The bioavailability and health relevance of these concentrated extracts in humans remain unestablished, as current evidence is limited to laboratory studies.

### Are there any safety concerns specific to Date Plum supplementation for people with blood clotting disorders?

While Date Plum contains phenolic compounds with demonstrated ferric ion reducing capacity in laboratory assays, no clinical evidence documents interactions with anticoagulant medications or effects on blood clotting in humans. Anyone with blood clotting disorders or taking anticoagulants should consult a healthcare provider before supplementing, as the clinical significance of Date Plum's antioxidant properties remains unverified.

### Can you obtain sufficient Date Plum phenolic compounds from eating the fresh fruit, or is supplementation necessary?

Fresh Date Plum fruit naturally contains phenolic compounds and flavonoids, though exact nutrient levels vary by ripeness, growing conditions, and storage. Current research has not established minimum effective human doses for Date Plum or determined whether whole fruit consumption provides clinically meaningful antioxidant benefits. For most people, consuming fresh Date Plum as part of a balanced diet provides nutrients without additional supplementation needs, though evidence-based dosing recommendations do not yet exist.

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