I find it interesting writing and talking about fruits. I find their simplicity in appearance, together with their might in nutrients amazing. They make me appreciate nature more than ever. So here’s another fruit, one of my favorites. Many times, plums make me nostalgic because I ate a lot of it in high school, funny, without even knowing the benefits. Now I do, and I love plums more.
How much do you know about plums? So much? Or perhaps you only know that they can be really yummy, and are beneficial to your health, however, you don’t know what exactly they do. Not to worry, after reading this article, you can boast of a good knowledge of plums. It is possible that plums must have been one of the first fruits eaten by humans, as they have been around for so long a time. Plums are closely related to peaches and cherries, and are widely eaten fresh, cooked, and baked. Biting into a delicious, juicy dried plum is quite a pleasure almost as old as civilization itself. The feeling is not only yummy but satisfying. The fruits descendants come from western Asia near the foothills of the Caucasus region and the shores of the Caspian Sea. Hmm, interesting. Let’s get talking. Plums are undeniably delicious, juicy, and fleshy fruit which are highly nutritious. You must have observed mature plum fruit, perhaps passively; they have a dusty-white waxy coating that gives them a gracious look. It’s an epicuticular wax coating that is commonly called “Wax bloom”. Let’s discuss the health benefits of this delicious fruit.
Health Benefits of Plums
Plums Fight against Cancer Cells
They prevent cancer, especially breast, respiratory, and tract cancers. Vitamins present in plums can also protect you from oral and cavity cancers. Plums are especially great for preventing cancer. The antioxidant power of plums and their phytonutrients won’t kill the healthy cells but will cease the development of the breast cancer cells. This is so great. I’m particularly interested in cancer-fighting foods.
Healthy Cholesterol Levels
Plums contain potassium which prevents blood clots (thrombocyte) which may result in atherosclerosis, that is the clogging or hardening of blood, related to high blood pressure, stroke and coronary heart disease. Plums have vitamin B6 which prevents an increase in the homocysteine levels and lowers the risks of heart problems.
Plums Do Combat Diabetes
Plums control the distribution of glucose in the body. What else? It keeps those who are diabetic healthy. Blending or mixing plums in their food will reduce the situation and keep them healthy.
Improve Bone Health
Consuming plums will boost the bone health, particularly of post-menopausal women. What are you waiting for? Let’s eat plums for more healthy bones.
Help Improve your Memory
Regular consumption of plums can help neutralize cell-attacking free radicals that affect your memory.
Combats Aging
Plums contain an elevated quality of antioxidants and high anti-inflammatory properties, improving the elasticity of the skin and keeping germs and wrinkles away. Did you know that plums reduce the conspicuous look of scars, helping you develop a new skin? This is possible because plums increase blood circulation to the scars, thereby, making them look less obvious. Plums do replace damaged skins with new ones, reducing the appearance of spots, wrinkles, and freckles. They also work for a number of other skin conditions.
Your Hair Too…
Plums do promote hair growth, leaving your hair shiny, and keeping your follicles healthy. You’d love to know that plums prevent early graying too.
Weight Loss
Yes, if you’ve been considering a fruit for your diet, plums have got your back. They do well in helping you lose weight.
Plums Are Natural Laxatives
Plums help with digestion issues and bowel movement. They particularly help you eliminate constipation too. Plums generally keep the digestive system healthy; regular consumption of plums is highly beneficial for our digestive system because of the presence of dietary fibers and other compounds.
Fights Obesity
Because of the presence of bioactive compounds, plums are highly effective in fighting obesity.
Boost Immune System
Plums are a good source of vitamin C, and this vitamin is rich in antioxidants that boost the immune system of the body. So yes, plums boost the immune system, enabling you to fight diseases with ease.
Beneficial for Pregnant Women
Now I feel like asking what plums don’t do. Wow! Did you know that consuming plums during pregnancy is great for pregnant women and for developing babies? This is so because they contain nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
Great for the Gut
Dried plums can aid the gastrointestinal tracts by acting as antibacterial agent.
Keep your Vision Health
Plums can prevent macular degeneration which is a leading reason for vision loss. They’ll help you maintain healthy eyes, assuring you of good vision.
Side Effects of Plums
I sometimes wish this never existed, especially with super amazing fruits like this, but hey, there are side effects, and you really should know them. So let’s get talking.
Oxalates
They contain oxalates, which can increase and crystallize, resulting in health issues such as kidney or gallbladder complications. People who already have a history of such complications might need to avoid consuming plumps, as it may further complicate their health condition.
High Acid Content
Plums belong to the league of oranges, pineapples, grapefruits, tomatoes, green apples, tangerines, lemons, and limes. People who have got medical advice not to eat the listed fruits may need to avoid plums too, as they all fall into the category of fruits with high acid content.
Drug Interaction
Yes, plums may interfere with certain medications, especially when taken in high amounts. More importantly, it is not advisable that people who will undergo a surgery eat plums days before the surgery. In fact, abstaining from plums two weeks before and after a surgery is safe.
Did you know that there are various types of plum? Some of them are:
Damson
Greengage
Mirabelle
Zwetschge
Common Purple
Bullace
Ziebart
Spilling
Did you know that plums can be eaten fresh or dried? Yes, they can! This is because dried plums are known for improving a number of health conditions, including constipation and osteoporosis. Dried plums are so beneficial, and like fresh plums, they can be incorporated in your diets. They are soft, delicious and flavored.
There are even some amazingly healthy ways to add plums into your meal. It can be added to baked goods, snack, salads and even drinks. Hmm, really yummy!
Final Words…
We do hope it’s been an interesting reading for you. Really, plums are amazing in more ways than you must have ever thought of. From their health benefits to their uses in meals, you really can’t get tired of all that plums have to offer. I remember back in the day in night school when we had contests on who ate the most plums. We ate so much until we couldn’t have lunch at home. We were only having fun, we didn’t know how much good we did to our health at the time. Looking at all the benefits now, I wish I won all those contests. *smiles* You really need to give this fruit a thought, and include it in your diet. Remember to tell someone about it also. We’ll wait to read your testimonies.
