Plum: health benefits and harms

Benefit

Eating plums helps prevent gastritis and ulcers. And regularly introducing plums into your diet helps reduce acidity in the stomach. This fruit also cleanses the intestines well from fecal stagnation: plum has a natural laxative effect. Therefore, plums should be consumed for constipation and intestinal atony.

With the help of this fruit you can remove harmful cholesterol from the body. High potassium levels stimulate urine production and remove salt deposits from the body. Plum also helps get rid of edema and is very useful for people with cholecystitis and atherosclerosis. And the microelements in plums help strengthen muscles.

In addition, plum is a very healthy fruit that has a beneficial effect on health in hypertension and kidney disease. Thanks to this product, you can improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, prevent the formation of blood clots, and normalize blood pressure.

Moderate, systematic consumption of plums helps improve mental well-being: this fruit helps to calm down and gain peace of mind. And in cosmetology, plums are used to nourish the skin and improve its color. In addition, plum adds softness to the skin.

Due to its low calorie content, plums can be considered a dietary product. But only if it is consumed in minimal doses.

The presence of a large amount of vitamins in plums has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system, strengthens the immune system, normalizes metabolism, improves vision, rejuvenates and cleanses the skin. Being a natural antioxidant, plum helps slow down the aging process of cells and normalizes the body's nutritional process.

Other beneficial properties of plum are:

• strengthening the walls of blood vessels and increasing their elasticity;
• wound healing effect (when using a decoction);
• improved health with abundant bile production;
• removing toxins from the body;
• strengthening the liver;
• blood purification.

Plum also has antipyretic effects. The juice from this fruit is effective in the treatment and prevention of anemia and flu. It is often used to disinfect the oral cavity. In addition, plum juice stimulates appetite and improves mood.

Plum is a source of fiber, antioxidants and pectin. These substances have a positive effect on the process of cleansing the body of toxins, help increase immunity, are an effective means of preventing cancer, and slow down the aging process of the body.

This product is also a popular component of cosmetics for the prevention of early skin aging. Therefore, plums are recommended for smokers.

Beneficial properties of plum leaves, bark, flowers and wood

• A decoction made from plum leaves has regenerative properties. This product is used to prepare wound-healing lotions and compresses. In addition, a pulp of crushed fresh plum leaves (or steamed dry leaf blades of this plant) is applied to purulent wounds or ulcerative formations, thereby stimulating regeneration processes.
• A weak decoction of plum leaves is used to rinse the mouth for stomatitis and periodontal disease.
• A decoction of plum leaves is an effective means of combating inflammatory diseases of the urinary system. The medication is taken orally 1.5 glasses per day (the daily dose is divided into three doses).
• A rich infusion of plum leaves is used to combat acute tonsillitis. The product is used to gargle at least 2 times a day.
• In folk medicine, a decoction prepared from plum leaves is used to combat pimples and acne. The drug is used to wipe problem areas of the skin.
• A decoction of plum bark is an effective remedy for diarrhea. In addition, this drug is used in the treatment of erysipelas (medicinal lotions are prepared on its basis).
• Plum wood has diaphoretic properties. Decoctions based on it are used to treat colds.
• Plum bark is an effective antipyretic. Decoctions and infusions prepared on its basis are used to lower body temperature during febrile conditions.
• Plum flowers have a pronounced laxative effect. Traditional healers recommend that people suffering from chronic constipation drink 2.5–3 glasses of infusion prepared on their basis daily.

Contraindications

It is better to avoid plums in case of obesity, high acidity in the stomach and diabetes. It is not recommended to use this product for people who have diarrhea or flatulence. It is strictly forbidden to eat unripe fruits, because... in this case, plum has a strong laxative effect on the body. In case of exacerbations of gastritis and heartburn, it is also necessary to exclude this fruit from your menu.

Sweet plums contain a lot of sugar, so this fruit should not be included in the diet of people with diabetes. It is also prohibited to consume this product if you are obese and to minimize the consumption of plums if you are overweight.

It is useful for pregnant women to include this fruit in their menu. And babies can be introduced to plums at the age of 8-9 months: for this you can make plum puree or add this product to a pureed fruit mixture.

The place of plums in the diet of those losing weight

The calorie content of plums is low, but it must be taken into account that the fruit also contains sugars, which in large quantities can be deposited as fat. Most vitamins, minerals and valuable microelements are found in fresh fruits. It is healthier to eat plums in their natural form also due to the fact that they are not very suitable for creating culinary delights.

Prunes are usually used for baking. Despite its high calorie content, it tolerates heat treatment better and gives the dish an amazing taste. Interestingly, sweet prunes go well with meat. It is added to chicken, beef, pork, and lamb. Prunes are also combined with potatoes, smoked meats, and vegetables. Fresh plums can be added to smoothies, jelly, cottage cheese casserole, and ice cream. An undisputed favorite is plum compote. Adults and children adore him.

As for the calorie content of plums that have undergone heat treatment and turned into jam or compote, it all depends on the amount of added sugar and other ingredients. Plum jam contains approximately 288 kcal per 100 g of product. If you add 1 teaspoon of plum jam to porridge or cottage cheese, it will not affect your figure, but if you eat it in tablespoons, it will definitely affect your weight.

The calorie content of plum compote is approximately 96 kcal per 100 g of drink. If you reduce the amount of sugar, the calorie content will be even lower. For those who don't like sweet drinks, you can do without added sugar. In this case, the calorie content of the compote will be only 21 kcal per 100 g. To improve the taste and quality of the drink, you can combine plums with other berries and fruits, for example, currants, apples, peaches, apricots, and gooseberries. Depending on the composition, the compote will turn out sweeter or sour.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with Green mushrooms when they grow

Thus, if you adhere to proper nutrition and watch your figure, then eating plums and even plum jam will not affect your weight in any way. It's all about the quantity and presence of sugar in the product. If you are at the stage of losing weight, then it is better for you to eat fresh fruits and no more than 8 prunes per day.

The nutritional value

The benefits of plums for the female body

The benefits of plums include vitamins. The fruits contain:

• B vitamins that improve metabolism;
• vitamin E, which protects cells;
• vitamin P, which normalizes blood pressure and strengthens blood vessels;
• vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system.

Plums are beneficial for the human body. They contain not only vitamins, but also large amounts of fructose, sucrose, fiber, proteins, organic elements and the antioxidant carotene.

Plums are even used in folk medicine due to their medicinal properties. Please note that fruits are not a panacea. Treatment should be comprehensive under the supervision of a doctor.

Plum is indicated for the following ailments:

• metabolic disease;
• constipation;
• liver disease;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• hypertension.

Healthy prunes: rich in minerals and vitamins. The dried fruit acts as a laxative.

You will, of course, want to know how many calories there are in dried blue plums. Its calorie content is high: 230 kilocalories per 100 g. This is a concentrated product, it contains a lot of sugar, so you need to observe moderation.

What are the benefits of plum for women, besides vitamins and no harm to the figure? This fruit is used as an alternative medicine for:

1. Breast cancer prevention. Oncologists at the University of Texas conducted research on plum peaches. In the pulp of these fruits, scientists have found a high content of antioxidants and beneficial compounds - phenols. According to doctors Luis Cisneros-Cevallosa and David Byrne, these substances fight cancer cells. This discovery could make it possible to fight cancer diseases using natural remedies. When developing new cancer drugs, scientists take into account the results of their research.
2. Treatment of constipation in pregnant women. Constipation is a common problem among women during pregnancy. Those who are wary of taking medications during this period can try eating plums more often. A couple of these fresh fruits or 4 pcs. Prunes a day will help solve your problem. The main thing is not to get carried away, otherwise you can harm yourself and the child.
3. Rescue from edema. Another common problem for pregnant women is gestosis. Containing potassium, plums remove excess water from the body and reduce swelling.

Vitamins and minerals

Plums also contain valuable minerals.

If you use this product wisely, you can improve your health and quickly cleanse your body of harmful substances. With the help of plum, you can improve your well-being and provide yourself with vigor, good mood and energy.

About varieties

Plum began to be mentioned in the memories of mankind several centuries before our era. Today, people annually consume more than 3 million tons of low-calorie fruit. It is due to its low calorie content that plums are used for weight loss and proper nutrition. Plum is a fruit with a pit, which is consumed fresh or processed: in compotes, jam. Plum is readily used in baking. The specified number of types of plums contains more than a hundred varieties growing in different regions of Russia and on different continents.

At the moment, the following well-known groups of plums are distinguished in Russia:

• "Hungarian" is a variety of blue plum that is preferably dried to produce prunes. The fruits are large and have a faint white coating. This variety is mainly offered on the market at the end of August and until the end of September. 100 g of the presented variety contains only 45 calories.
• "Renkfruit" is a variety of yellow plum that is also green in color with a waxy coating. This fruit has sweet, soft and juicy pulp.
• “Mirabelles” are small yellow plums with spicy flesh. Perfect for canning.

People who are trying to lose weight need to know exactly how many calories are in plums. The KBZHU data are presented in the table.

Calorie content per 100 g:

The calorie content of plums depends not so much on the variety as on the color of the fruit, which is explained by the different composition.

The calorie content of red plums is the least, which is explained by its “immatureness” to blue or black varieties. As a result, it contains much less sugar. Blue and black varieties of the fruit contain more sugar, which is why prunes are made from them to make the dried fruit tasty and sweet.

It is interesting to know the answer to the question, how many kcal are in 1 piece of plum, since it is not always possible to weigh fruit when losing weight. There are only 3 medium fruits in 100 g, it turns out that the approximate calorie content in one plum is 13 calories.

This is interesting: Most doctors, nutritionists and fitness trainers believe that there is no need to count the calorie content of plums. It is enough to eat vegetables as a snack between main meals. A person cannot eat more than 5-7 pieces at a time. If you calculate how many calories it will be, then no more than 100 kcal per snack, which is the norm when eating properly and losing weight on fruits.

Contraindications and harmful properties of plums

• An absolute contraindication to the consumption of plums is individual intolerance. In addition, nutritionists recommend that people suffering from an increased tendency to develop allergic reactions carefully include the fruits of this plant in their diet.
• Abuse of plums can cause stomach pain, diarrhea and other disorders of the digestive system in children.
• Prune juice is contraindicated for people suffering from rheumatism and gout.
• Mothers who are breastfeeding should avoid consuming prunes. Substances present in its composition can cause colic and diarrhea in infants.
• Plum pulp contains a lot of sugars, so it is recommended to include it with caution in the menu of people suffering from obesity or diabetes. In addition, diabetics and overweight people should completely avoid consuming prunes.
• Contraindications to the consumption of plums (especially not fully ripened ones) are chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract during periods of exacerbation and pathologies that develop against the background of an increased level of acidity of gastric juice.

Plum: health benefits and harms on Diet4Health.ru.

Life in the modern world is replete with many factors that negatively affect human health. The main ones are poor ecology, questionable quality of food, contaminated drinking water, poor quality medical care, as well as stressful situations and bad habits. Therefore, it is so important to pay attention to regular healing of the body using various methods and means. Before using the information, be sure to consult with your doctor. All advice on the site is for informational purposes only and does not replace examination, diagnosis and consultation with a specialist.