Prunes Nutrition and Health Facts

Prunes are available year round, they are sweet and sticky in taste and highly nutritious. Prunes are actually dried European plums or Prunus domestic, commonly known as the Constipation fruit for its constipation relieving properties. They are also called dried plums.

Prunes or dried plums are very good for the health for their nutritional properties. They are excellent sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and dietary fibre. Also, prunes are rich in potassium, copper, carbohydrates, fatty acids and amino acids. Prunes are low calorie and low fat foods and one of the richest food sources of antioxidants.

Prunes contain two unique phytonutrients called neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acid. These two are very useful in neutralizing a dangerous oxygen radical called superoxide anion radical. Also, prevent oxygen-based damage to fats. Prunes are very good source of Vitamin A. This is helpful in eliminating free radicals and preventing many diseases including atherosclerosis, diabetic heart disease, and colon cancer. In addition, useful in reducing the inflammatory diseases such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Potassium factor is prunes make it a good food for bones. Potassium is helpful in maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function as well. Soluble fibre in Prunes helps regulate blood sugar levels and increases insulin sensitivity. In this way it is helpful to treat and prevent type 2 diabetes. Prunes’ soluble fibres help to lower cholesterol thus lower the chances of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Prunes are known for their ability to prevent constipation. Prune juice is very good for treating constipation and it helps in bowel movement. Lastly, study shows that prunes are very useful to reduce the breast cancer.

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