The Health Benefits of Prunes and Plums
What are plums and prunes?
Plums are the fruits of certain plants grouped under the botanical genus Prunus. Generally speaking, plums are in the same family of peaches and nectarines. Plums have been consumed by people in Europe, China, and Japan since ancient times. At present, the United States and China are two of biggest producers of plums.
Prunes are the dried fruit of plums. They taste different because the drying process develop flavor and changes their chemical composition. Prunes are high is sugars since drying concentrates all the solids present in the fruit. Due to the drying process (which can be done naturally in the sun, or mechanically with driers) they have a distinct flavor taste and texture. They are sweeter and stickier than the fresh fruit. To reap the health benefits of plums and prunes you just will have to try them.
Antioxidants, on of the main bioactive products present in plums and prunes
Plums and prunes are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants help you quench dangerous free radicals that are continually produced within the cell. It has been hypothesized that the excess free radicals are responsible for ageing and all the health issues related to that such as: degenerative diseases (macular, Alzheimer, cancer, etc). By sequestering free radicals, antioxidants help you to have a better and longer life.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant present in plums and prunes. Vitamin A is also in high quantities. In addition, to this two important vitamins - antioxidants, prunes and plums are rich in photochemicals, chemical compounds originated in vegetables with potent biological (antioxidant) activities.
Prunes and plums are not only rich in antioxidants but have a high content of dietary fiber. Eating enough dietary fiber is needed for proper digestive tract health. Prunes have a history of being used to increase you bowel movement when needed and this is the result of the high content of fiber present in prunes. Fiber also promotes the development of a healthy beneficial micro flora in your intestines which aids in having a good gastrointestinal tract health. The regularization effect on the bowel movement has an positive effect on the prevention of colon cancer. The risk of getting colon cancer decreases significantly with proper and regular bowel movement.
There are many health benefits of plums and prunes. They are also a flavor addition to your daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. Try then and reap many of their health benefits.
Sources:
http://www.taylorbrothersfarms.com/en/health-benefits.html
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/cgi-bin/list_nut_edit.pl
Published by R. Bourne, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Food and Nutrition. MBA. R. Bourne writes mainly about Health and Wellness, Alternative Medicine and Healing, Nutrition, Dieting and Food Science and Technology. He has been writing online content... View profile
- Reduce Cholesterol and Lose Weight with This Oatmeal Cookie RecipeAn easy, simple way to turn cookie recipes into low fat, low calorie, cholesterol reducing cookie. There's also a recipe included for delicious, health conscious Oatmeal Raisin cookie for low cholesterol or any health...
- Healthy Cooking and Baking with Dried FruitIf you want to boost the nutrition of your cooking and baking, add in a little dried fruit into your recipes. Be creative and experiment with them, to bring out the flavor in your family meals.
Sugar Plums, Bourbon Balls , and Wassail Oh MyWatch driving the sleigh after wassail and bourbon ball consumption. If you see reindeer cut yourself off the wassail and stop drinking the bourbon for the bourbon balls.- The Link Between Acidic Foods and Interstitial CystitisIn her book, Solving the Interstitial Cystitis Puzzle: My Story of Discovery and Recovery", Amrit Willis RN talks about the focus on an alkalizing diet.
Sarah Winchester and the Winchester Mystery HouseSo much fact and fiction have been woven into the story of Sarah Winchester over the years that it is hard to tell which is which.
- Four Best Fruits: Healthiest, Nutritious, High in Antioxidants and Fiber, Low in C...
- Reversing Bone Density Loss : Eat Prunes
- Seven Reasons to Eat More Plums
- Eating a Healthy Diet for Better Skin, Hair and Nails
- Product Review: Cherry Essence Prunes by Sunsweet Gold Label
- The Newly Found Health Benefits of Plums
- Cooking and Eating in Medieval England