Ahhhh Prunes. They are one of my favorite fruits! Their sweet taste and sticky texture make me feel like I’m eating candy. I remember eating them at my grandmother’s kitchen table and not even realizing they were only “supposed” to be for older people. That stigma remains today. Recently though, they have been getting a lot of attention because of their health benefits. The name has even been officially changed to “dried plums” so people will give them a second look. Hopefully everyone will stop associating them with only the elderly population and give them a try. They can be great for everyone from babies to teens and adults.
Prunes have many health benefits. They have always been known for helping relieve constipation because they have a lot of fiber. The soluble fiber in prunes has also been found to help fight heart disease. A study at the University of California, Davis found that men with moderately elevated cholesterol levels experienced a reduction in both total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol by eating 10-12 prunes daily.
Prunes are also high in antioxidants which help destroy free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals cause things like heart disease, stroke and even cancer. Serving per serving, prunes are even higher in antioxidants then blueberries. They are a good source of potassium which has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve bone health. The high vitamin C level in prunes can help with iron absorption which is especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Lastly, they can even help with weight loss by providing a sense of fullness and delaying the absorption of glucose. They are a great snack for people with diabetes since they have a low glycemic index and are high in fiber.
With all of their health benefits and their great taste, I don’t know why everyone isn’t eating prunes. They’re delicious right out of the bag or in a recipe. If I haven’t convinced you to try them yet, visit Californiadriedplums.org for some great recipes, and see for yourself that these aren’t your grandmother’s prunes anymore.
Pass the prunes!
- Jennifer
Labels: Antioxidants, fruits and vegetables, Jennifer
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Indeed, what a slandered fruit the poor prunce is. Here's a super easy Prune Cake Recipe that is fairly low in fat and tastes great warm or cold for breakfast the next day.