I am happy to introduce to you a new member of the SVA family – my Prune Preserve. Prunes are a great addition to your diet, as they have many health benefits. Despite not being part of the ayurvedic tradition, they present great benefits with least or zero side-effects, we thus adopt them fully into our daily diet. Read more below.
Top 11 Benefits of Prunes
1) Helps Digestion
Prunes are high in fiber, which helps prevent hemorrhoids brought on by constipation. Chronic constipation is a common problem in older adults and can be caused by pelvic floor dysfunction or the side effects of medication. It can also be a painful problem for infants. Prune juice acts as a laxative thanks to its high sorbitol content, so ask your doctor if it’s right for you. A serving size of six prunes has 4 grams of dietary fiber, and one-half cup contains 6.2 grams. Women typically need 25 grams of fiber each day, while men need at least 30 grams
2) Aids Normal Body Functions
Prunes are a good source of potassium, an electrolyte that assists in a variety of vital bodily functions. This mineral helps with digestion, heart rhythm, nerve impulses, and muscle contractions, as well as blood pressure. Since the body doesn’t naturally produce potassium, consuming prunes or prune juice can help you avoid deficiencies. One half-cup of prunes contains 637 milligrams of potassium. This accounts for nearly 14 percent of your daily recommended need. Most adults should consume about 4,700 milligrams of potassium a day.
3) Provides a good source of iron
Anemia occurs when the body doesn’t have sufficient healthy red blood cells, which iron helps to make. Shortness of breath, irritability, and fatigue are all signs of mild anemia. Prune juice is a great source of iron and can help prevent and treat iron deficiency. One half-cup of prunes contains 0.81 milligrams of iron, while 1/2 cup of prune juice contains 3 milligrams. The average adult needs 10 milligrams a day, while menstruating or nursing women need 15 milligrams, and pregnant women need 30 milligrams.
4) Builds Bones and Muscles
According to some studies, dried prunes are an important source of the mineral boron. Boron can help build strong bones and muscles. It may also help with improving mental acuity and muscle coordination.
Prunes may be particularly beneficial to fighting the bone density loss that is a common side effect of radiation. A 2016 animal study has found that dried plums and dried plum powder can reduce radiation’s effect on bone marrow, preventing bone density loss and promoting bone health.
Prunes even have some potential as a treatment for osteoporosis. Another recent study presented evidence that dried plums can prevent bone mass loss in postmenopausal women who are prone to osteoporosis. Only 50 grams (or five to six prunes) a day were necessary to see benefits.
5) Reduces Plague Buildup
Plaque buildup in the arteries causes atherosclerosis, a narrowing of the arteries, which can result in a shortage of oxygen and blood to the tissues of the body. If left untreated, this can lead to heart failure, stroke, and heart attack. Research suggests that dried prunes may help slow the development of atherosclerosis. Scientists have shown that eating prunes and drinking prune juice can significantly reduce blood pressure.
Prunes can also be good for overall heart health. A 2010 study reported that blood pressure and hypertension were reduced in groups that were given prunes daily. This finding suggests that prunes can reduce hypertension and boost cardiovascular health.
6) Regulates food intake
Dried plums can help you manage your weight by keeping you feeling full for longer. One study found that eating dried plums as a snack can suppress hunger for longer than a low-fat cookie.
7) Lowers risk of colon cancer
Colon cancer is often hard to detect, but it can be aggressive. Diet can help prevent colon cancer, and research has shown that adding dried plums to your diet may reduce your risk. A recent study conducted by Texas A&M University and the University of North Carolina determined that eating dried plums can positively affect and increase microbiota (or beneficial bacteria) throughout the colon. This, in turn, can reduce the risk of colon cancer.
8) Prunes help to lower cholesterol
The soluble fiber helps to lower cholesterol by soaking up excess bile in the intestine and then excreting it. Bile is made from cholesterol in the liver in order to digest fat. When the body excretes bile along with the fibre from prunes and plums, the liver must use cholesterol in the body to make more bile thereby lowering the amount in circulation in the body. Soluble fibre may also inhibit the amount of cholesterol manufactured by the liver in the first place. A 2011 study found that prunes are more effective than psyllium at relieving constipation.
9) A good source of vitamin K and beta carotene
A 2013 study showed that an increased intake in beta carotene can actually make people happier. Beta-carotene also protects and fixes the damage of free radicals on our cells meaning it can help reverse the signs of aging. Vitamin K works in conjunction with beta carotene to fight the signs of aging by helping reduce bone loss and improving circulation.
10) Improves Vision
Prunes are a great source of vitamin A, essential for healthy vision. Vitamin A deficiency is linked to night blindness, dry eyes, macular degeneration, and cataracts.
11) Aids in managing type 2 diabetes and obesity
Prunes are high in soluble fiber that helps to keep blood sugar levels stable. Soluble fiber slows the rate that food leaves the stomach and, as a result, delays the absorption of sugar into the blood stream. Soluble fiber also increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin. The soluble fiber in prunes helps you feel satisfied after a meal, which can prevent overeating and subsequent weight gain.
