Dried plums (Prunes)

Prunes (dried plums) are extremely nutritious. They contain unique antioxidants, many vitamins, minerals and fiber offering variety of health benefits.

Great as a snack. Chopped prunes can replace raisins or dates in oatmeal or baked goods. You can make a prune paste by boiling prunes till soft and pureeing. The paste is great on a toast or a pancake. Or you can find a prune paste in a store to use instead of jam.

Incredible health benefits of prunes:

Powerful antioxidant

    • have ORAC rating of 5,770 for 3.5 ounces; which makes them one of the top antioxidants (1)

      ORAC – Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity – measures the ability of a particular food to fight free radicals

    • contain manganese, iron and plant phenolics that function as antioxidants
    • neutralize free radicals and protect against cell damage

” Prunes top the list with more than twice the level of antioxidants than other high-scoring fruits such as blueberries and raisins. (…) While antioxidant vitamin supplements have grown in popularity, it may be the combination of the nutrients in the foods that have the greatest effect. (…) This isn’t the first research indicating prunes, which are dried plums, are high in antioxidant compounds. Researchers at the University of California, at Davis, found that prunes contain high amounts of neochlorogenic acid, a phenolic compound, and a strong antioxidant. In addition, prunes are fat and cholesterol-free and are a delicious way to add fiber, vitamins and minerals to meet your dietary requirement of five fruits and vegetables a day.” 

— Michele Sloat  Prunes Score Highest in Antioxidants That May Slow Aging Process

Heart support

    • fiber and potassium help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure
    • potassium helps to keep your nerves and muscles working properly

Bone builder

    • rich in boron, calcium, magnesium and vitamin K to support healthy bone
    • “the unique variety of phenolics and nutrients present in the fruit” shows to beneficially affect bone mineral density (3)
    • high antioxidant content may help in keeping free radicals in check and improving bone health (4)

Great source of soluble fiber and prebiotics

    • aids in digestion
    •  promotes colon health (5)
    •  boosts gut health
    • helps to control blood sugar (2)

Great source of vitamin A

    • improves vision
    • works as anti-inflammatory
    • protects the integrity of cell membranes (2)

Can protects from colon cancer

    • positively effects gut bacteria in the colon (7)
    • protects gut from forming precancerous lesions (7)

Sources:

  1. “Lessons from the Miracle Doctors” Jon Barron
  2. “Zapped” Ann Louise Gittleman
  3. “Dried Plums, Prunes and Bone Health: A Comprehensive Review” Taylor C. Wallace (2017) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409740/

  4. “Dried plum’s unique capacity to reverse bone loss and alter bone metabolism in postmenopausal osteoporosis model.” (2013) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23555991
  5. “Prebiotic Qualities of Dried Plums Identified as a Colon Cancer Preventative” John Schieszer, MA (2017)
    https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/home/cancer-types/colorectal-cancer/prebiotic-qualities-of-dried-plums-identified-as-a-colon-cancer-preventative/
  6. “Antioxidant properties of prunes (Prunus domestica L.) and their constituents.” (2004) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15630217

  7. “Dried Plums Can Reduce Risk of Colon Cancer, Research Shows” (2015) Science Daily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150925131420.htm