The benefits and harms of plums for the health of the human body, contraindications and properties

Today plums are grown in many Russian household farms. Thanks to scientists and breeders, more than 2,000 varieties have been developed, differing in the structure and size characteristics of the fruit, pulp structure and color, flavor and chemical composition. To get the most out of a valuable product, it is important to know the health benefits and harms of plums.

Vitamins, microelements and macroelements included

Among the wide variety of plums, there are dark purple, reddish and yellowish fruit colors. All of them are united by a unique chemical composition, which may differ slightly for each variety. On average, plums are 80% water. The fruits contain a lot of fiber, pectin, organic acids, vitamins A, B, C, E. The fruits contain a high content of macroelements - potassium, calcium, magnesium and many others. They are a source of microelements - iron, iodine, manganese, zinc.

In the blue plum

The dark blue variety of plum is usually called “Hungarian”; such varieties have dense, juicy pulp, so they are often used for preparing prunes. 100 g of blue fruit contains 42 kcal.

In red

Red plum varieties are champions in folic acid content and contain a lot of iron. They help speed up metabolic processes and remove salts and excess fluid from the body.

100 g of red fruit contains only 46 kcal.

Black

Dark plum varieties contain a large amount of flavonols, anthocyanins, and leukocyanins, which have unique properties in the form of a positive effect on the walls of blood vessels and their strengthening.

Yellow

Yellow plums contain a large amount of keratin, and in terms of vitamin E content they are not inferior to rose hips. Varieties of this species are effective for the treatment of bronchi, atherosclerosis and hypertension.

How to choose a good product

When choosing plums, you should be guided by the appearance of the fruit. Regardless of the color of the peel, they should be evenly colored. As the fruits ripen, the color becomes more saturated. You should pay attention to the absence of cracks, dents, and spotted formations.

It is recommended to try pressing on the surface of the peel. Excessive hardness indicates insufficient ripeness of the fruit; too soft pulp will lead to rapid spoilage of the product. Ripeness is determined by the rich aroma; the more pronounced it is, the more ripe the plums are.

Beneficial features

The usefulness of plums for the body is explained by the chemical elements present in it. Pectins promote better removal of radionuclides and carcinogens. When eating fruits, the following effects are observed:

• blood thinning;
• strengthening the walls of blood vessels and reducing the risk of thrombosis;
• improving the functioning of the heart muscles;
• lowering cholesterol levels;
• normalization of pressure.

Plum promotes the removal of fluid and bile and is considered a laxative. To eliminate the problem of constipation, it is enough to eat several fruits a day.

For children

For a child, plums are a valuable source of vitamins, so when they are included in the menu, the risk of vitamin deficiency is reduced significantly. Children often suffer from constipation, and with the help of fruit or a decoction based on it, stool can be normalized without the use of medications.

For men

Plum should be included in the diet of men who love fatty and unhealthy foods and who abuse alcohol. The fruit helps reduce cholesterol levels, the levels of which inevitably increase with improperly organized nutrition.Fruits help normalize liver function by removing harmful substances from bile. Heart pathologies are one of the common causes of death in men, and plum helps reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.

For women

The fruit normalizes the functioning of a woman’s nervous system, which helps the body cope with stress more successfully. The fruits are considered an effective means of obtaining the effect of tissue regeneration, therefore this property of the product is actively used in cosmetology.

Masks, scrubs, and various skin care products are made from plums.

Due to the ability of plums to improve digestion, speed up metabolism and remove toxins, they are often included in the menu of people who control weight or want to lose weight. The dietary fiber of the fruit helps in quickly reducing body weight and further maintaining it at normal levels.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is no ban on eating plums while pregnant. Folic acid present in the pulp contributes to the proper development of the baby. Many pregnant women suffer from edema, and due to the presence of potassium in fruits, excess fluid is naturally removed. Dietary fiber from fruits improves digestion, which helps prevent constipation. Vitamin C helps cope with viral infections, the appearance of which is dangerous during such a period.

During feeding, it is recommended to be careful about the presence of plums in the diet. The presence of such a product in the mother’s menu can cause the child to develop diarrhea, which is quite difficult to cope with in children.

Use in folk medicine

Plum is often present in traditional medicine recipes.It is used as an ingredient for preparing decoctions to relieve constipation and normalize digestion.

Use for diabetes

Patients with diabetes should be careful when consuming fruits. Plum does not belong to the category of products that carry a high risk for the body. Its low calorie content and low glycemic index make it possible to include it in the diet of diabetics in the initial stages of disease. Patients with this diagnosis often suffer from blood pressure, blurred vision and kidney problems, and eating plums helps solve such problems. At the same time, it is impossible to abuse fruit intake; diabetics are not recommended to exceed the daily norm of 200 g.

For pancreatitis

If you are diagnosed with pancreatitis, plums are not prohibited for consumption, but it is necessary to peel the fruits. It contains coarse fiber and acid, which can cause exacerbation of stomach diseases.

For cancer

According to studies, phenolic acid contained in plums can slow down the growth of tumors. This substance is poisonous, but when it enters the body it only affects cancer cells. Regular consumption of plums helps prevent cancer of the mammary glands, stomach, colon, and respiratory organs. It is recommended to include not only fresh and dried fruits in your diet, but also smoothies.

For the recipe you need:

• 5 plums;
• 1 banana;
• 10 raspberries;
• 1 tsp. honey;
• 1⁄2 glass of water;
• cinnamon to taste.

The main ingredients are whipped using a blender. This drink will give you energy and have a positive effect on all organs and vital systems. If there are no digestive problems, you can take orange juice instead of water, which will saturate the body with even more vitamin C.

For diabetes

Plum contains a fairly large amount of sugar, so including it in the diet of patients with diabetes can cause a worsening of the condition. People with type 2 should be especially careful when including them in their diet. It is better for diabetics not to use prunes in their diet, since their glycemic index is higher; it is better to give preference to fresh ripe fruits.

The undoubted benefits of plums for athletes

Plum, due to its small amount of calories, is often present on the menu of those losing weight or athletes resorting to programs for “drying” the body. At the same time, due to the rich composition of chemical elements, when consuming fruit, the risk of their deficiency in the body is reduced.

Is plum good for weight loss?

Plum for losing weight is considered a unique product. The simultaneous combination of low calories and high nutrient content allows you to achieve your weight loss goals faster. Improving digestion and accelerating metabolic processes contributes to faster removal of fat deposits.

What is the best way to eat the product?

Plum is a versatile fruit. The fruits are consumed fresh and dried. They are suitable for making preserves, jams and purees. Juices, smoothies and compotes are prepared from fruits.

Dried

Dried plums are commonly called prunes. The nutrient content in it is not inferior to fresh fruit. It is an excellent way to satisfy hunger when you need a quick snack.

Fresh

Eating fresh plums is the easiest way to improve your well-being, since it does not require any force to process the product.The disadvantage of freshly picked fruits is their short shelf life, so heat treatment methods are often used to extend it.

Compotes and preserves

Compotes are an excellent way to use the valuable qualities of plums in winter. This drink is always at hand and can be used if necessary to reduce blood pressure or get rid of swelling.

Benefits and uses of plum seeds

Plum seed kernels are used for treatment. They contain dangerous hydrocyanic acid, so to reduce its concentration, the grains are pre-roasted. The contents of the seeds are used to prepare decoctions, the intake of which helps provide an antioxidant effect. Infusions help get rid of intestinal parasites.

Product consumption standards

Children are introduced to plums in their diet starting from the age of 3 years. It is necessary to give fruit gradually, starting with 1 piece. However, if diarrhea, bloating or colic occurs, the product should be discarded. In the absence of negative reactions, the number of plums is gradually increased to 3-4 per day.

The norm for an adult depends on the presence of contraindications and the individual characteristics of the person. On average, the daily amount should not exceed 300 g. During pregnancy, you should limit yourself to 6 fetuses per day.

Contraindications and negative effects

Excessive consumption of plums can cause gastrointestinal upset. You should not include the product in your diet if you have diarrhea or diarrhea, as this will worsen the situation. Fruits should not be included in the diet if the following indications exist:

• younger children;
• rheumatism;
• cholelithiasis;
• problems with the patency of the biliary tract.

You should not eat plums if you have an allergic reaction to the product. Neglecting such a restriction can lead to negative consequences, ranging from minor itching to anaphylactic shock.