benefits of plum

Plum is yumm!! These are really delicious fruit. The color itself is mesmerizing. If you want your cheeks (especially for all the girls) glowing like a plum then you must eat plum. They help imparting freshness to yourskin. They have soft and smooth skin. And if you want a peaceful tummy and want to get rid of its tantrums, plums can even be a friend in such situations because it stimulates the bowel movement.

One of the unique things about plums is that there are so many varieties available. Not only do over 2,000 varieties of plums exist, but over 100 are available in the United States alone. So, if you are looking for a juicy, sweet tasting fruit that comes in a panorama of colors, plums are for you. Plums are classified into six general categoriesJapanese, American, Damson, Ornamental, Wild and European/Gardenwhose size, shape and colors vary. Although usually round, plums can also be oval or heart shaped. The skins of plums can be red, purple, blue black, red, green, yellow or amber, while their flesh comes in hues such as yellow, green and pink and orangea virtual rainbow.

With the large number of plums available, it is not surprising that the various types have different heritages and places of origin. The European plum is thought to have been discovered around two thousand years ago, originating in the area near the Caspian Sea. Even in ancient Roman times, there were already over 300 varieties of European plums. European plums made their way across the Atlantic Ocean with the pilgrims, who introduced them into the United States in the 17th century.

The fresh version (plums) and the dried version (prunes) of the plant scientifically known asPrunus domesticahave been the subject of repeated health research for their high content of unique phytonutrients called neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acid. These substances found in plum and prune are classified as phenols, and their function as antioxidants has been well documented. These damage preventing substances are particularly effective in neutralizing a particularly dangerous oxygen radical called superoxide anion radical, and they have also been shown to help prevent oxygen based damage to fats.

The ability of plums and prunes to increase absorption of iron into the body has also been documented in published research. This ability of plums and prunes to make iron more available may be related to thevitamin Ccontent of this fruit. Our food ranking system qualified plums as a very good source of vitamin C.

Prunes soluble fiber helps normalize blood sugar levels by slowing the rate at which food leaves the stomach and by delaying the absorption of glucose (the form in which sugar is transported in the blood) following a meal. Soluble fiber also increases insulin sensitivity and can therefore play a helpful role in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. And, prunes soluble fiber promotes a sense of satisfied fullness after a meal by slowing the rate at which food leaves the stomach, so prunes can also help prevent overeating and weight gain.

Prunes are well known for their ability to prevent constipation. In addition to providing bulk and decreasing the transit time of fecal matter, thus decreasing the risk of colon cancer and hemorrhoids, prunes insoluble fiber also provides food for the friendly bacteria in the large intestine. When these helpful bacteria ferment prunes insoluble fiber, they produce a short chain fatty acid called butyric acid, which serves as the primary fuel for the cells of the large intestine and helps maintain a healthy colon. These helpful bacteria also create two other short chain fatty acids, propionic and acetic acid, which are used as fuel by the cells of the liver and muscles.

If you want to purchase plums that are ripe and ready to eat, look for ones that yield to gentle pressure and that are slightly soft at their tip. While you can also purchase plums that are firm and ripen them at home, avoid those that are excessively hard as they will be immature and will probably not develop a good taste and texture profile. Good quality plums will feature a rich color and may still have a slight whitish bloom, reflecting that they have not been overhandled. They should also be free of punctures, bruises or any signs of decay. Plums are generally available in the marketplace from May through the early fall.

Plums that are not yet ripe can be left at room temperature. As this fruit tends to mature quickly, check on them in the next day or two to ensure that they do not become overripe. Once they are ripe, plums can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. While plums can be frozen, to ensure maximum taste remove their stone pits before placing them in the freezer.

Prunes are sold either with their pits or already pitted. The form you choose should depend upon your personal preference and recipe needs. you should purchase prunes that are sold in transparent containers so that you can evaluate them for quality. They should be plump, shiny, relatively soft and free of mold. If the packages are opaque, ensure that they are tightly sealed so that the prunes will not have lost any moisture. As with any other dried fruit, try to purchase prunes that are not processed with food preservatives such as sulfites.