Plums are a fruit that are both luscious and juicy, bordering on sweet and bittersweet when it comes to taste. Besides the nutritional facts of this fruit, we also take a look at its benefits.
The plum comes from the genus ‘Prunus’, where it is known as a drupe fruit; such fruits contain a pit with a seed at its center like cherries and peaches. It is a tree fruit that is picked and packaged into ready-to-eat canned fruit, turned into delicious jam, strained into a juice, or just eaten in its original state. There are three groups of plums worldwide, namely, Damson, European, and Japanese.
Damson plums are mainly used for preserving and cooking, two of which are the French Damson and the Shropshire. Japanese plums aren’t very likable by the general public, being a poorly pollinated plum in the Northeast. The last kind, which is the European, are a much-preferred kind, which are good for canning. This flowering plum tree has a bagful of health benefits that people can take advantage of.
Calories
It comes in colors of bluish-black, amber, green, red, and yellow. Its dried form is called a ‘prune’. Plums should always be eaten with their skins on, to benefit from the additional nutrients.
Nutritional Charts
| Red Plums | ||
| Nutrient Content | Serving = 1 Calories = 30 |
|
| Sugars | 7 g | |
| Fat | 0.17 g | |
| Thiamine | 2% | |
| Vitamin A | 4.26% | |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g | |
| Vitamin B6 | 2.5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g | |
| Niacin | 1.6% | |
| Vitamin C | 10.5% | |
| Riboflavin | 3.5% | |
| Black Plums | ||
| Nutrient Content | Serving = 1 Calories = 30 |
|
| Sugars | 6.5 g | |
| Fat | 0.2 g | |
| Thiamine | 1% | |
| Vitamin A | 5% | |
| Carbohydrates | 7.5 g | |
| Vitamin B6 | 1% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.9 g | |
| Niacin | 1% | |
| Vitamin C | 10% | |
| Riboflavin | 1% | |
| Potassium | 104 mg | |
| Protein | 0.5 g | |
| Plum Sauce | ||
| Nutrient Content | Serving = 60 Calories = 47.3 |
|
| Fat | 0.2 g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.9 g | |
| Protein | 0.4 g | |
| Sodium | 75.8 g | |
Health Benefits
The benefits encase all that is healthy when it comes to fruits in general, where dietitians stress on the importance of eating these to benefit from hidden elements that can aid the human system.
- Promotes good circulation of blood in the body. Those who suffer from urinary tract infection should avoid eating this fruit, since it contains levels of oxalic acid which will only worsen the condition.
- Can reduce the chances of having human influenza A.
- Can stop the occurrence of macular degeneration.
- Good source of fiber.
- Contains anti-cancer properties.
- Gives one good vision.
- Strengthens immunity.
- Boosts good bowel movement.
- Good source of antioxidants.
- Prevents one from having osteoarthritis.
- Can prevent the blood from platelet clotting, thus, curbing the chance of a stroke and heart attack.
- Vital source of energy.
- Can prevent the onset of colon cancer.
- Can help prevent a cold and the flu.
- Decreases high blood pressure levels.
- Provides relief to muscle cramps.
- Helps those looking to lose weight.
- Promotes healthy liver function.
- Regulates cholesterol levels in the body.
- Reduces the risk of heart disease.
The fruit when eaten in its fresh and not preserved form, will give you a good healthy dose of what plums are really all about. This little fruit of goodness can take care of many day-to-day ailments, helping you maintain a lifestyle of vitality and good health.
