benefits of plum

The soluble fibre in plum also helps to lower cholesterol by soaking up extra bile in the intestine and then excreting it. Bile is made in the liver to digest fat. When the body excretes bile, along with fibre, the liver makes use of cholesterol in the body to make more bile thereby lowering the amount in circulation in the body. Soluble fibre also inhabits the amount of cholesterol manufactured by the liver in the first place.

Plum also assists the body in making healthy tissues and strong immune system. It prevents cold and flu and is helpful to people who suffer from recurrent infections. Fresh plums, especially yellow Mirabelle type, are a moderate source of vitamin A and beta carotene. Vitamin A is essential for good eye sight. It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin A has found to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Eating plums boosts bone health, especially of post menopausal women. It reverses bone loss due to rich amount of penoic and flavonoids compounds. It has the higher bone mineral density in the spine and forearms. It also contains boron which plays an important role in ossification and actively participates in the preservation of bone density and general upkeep of your bones.

Magnesium in plum is necessary for muscle contraction and nervous impulses. The fruit is also good in health promoting flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, cryptoxanthin and zea xanthin in significant amounts. These compounds help act as scavengers against oxygen derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes.

Prunes have a good amount of folic acid and calcium which contributes to the supply of folates. Folate is very essential for pregnant women and for the growth of foetus. Dried plums in general known as prunes are added to muffins, cakes, ice creams, etc., as in other dry fruits like raisins, apricots and figs.

Plum also has diuretic and detoxifying effect on the body. Plums are plentiful in minerals like potassium, fluoride and iron. Iron is required for red blood cell formation. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.

The vitamin E and beta carotene, an antioxidant in plums, protect fatty acids and cell membranes from attack of free radicals which allows the body to fight the signs of ageing skin such as loss of elasticity and wrinkles. Plum contains high amount of antioxidants and high anti inflammatory properties which increases circulation and cell metabolism reducing inflammation. This in turn promotes elasticity of the skin and keeps acne and wrinkle at bay.

Drinking plum juice can also help to even out the skin tone and firm the skin by improving skin health and rejuvenating its appearance. Collagen deficiency often makes the skin dull and lifeless. Plum contains high amount of vitamin C which is required for the production of hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, which are needed to bind the molecules that produce collagen. This rejuvenates the skin from the roots and reduces wrinkles and other signs of ageing.

Plum can also reduce the appearance of scar tissue by increasing the blood flow to scar tissue, minimizing the look of the scar and blending in the development of new skin. The skins of plum can be red, purple, black, and red, green. There is a large stone like seed placed in the centre of the fruit. Common cultivars of plum are cherry plum, blackthorn plum and damson.

Plum has high amount of antioxidants which provides effective shield against the sun rays and reduces sun damage. Sun damage can make the skin rough and wrinkly but plum encourages the growth of new cells and makes the skin younger.